Alpha vs. SX vs. Bravo III - buy decision everything else equal?

[crqflier]

So after months of searching and learning, I've got my sights set on 3 boats that I consider to be a flip of the coin as to which to buy. Here's the stuff that's all equal:

• 21-23 feet LOA.
• wide beam - 8'5" to 8'6".
• 5.0 MPI engine.
• 50-150 hours.
• mid-2000's model year.
• 2 owner boats (I'd be the third).
• visually in good shape.
• priced within a couple grand of each other.

The difference:

1 has a merc/alpha
1 has a merc/Bravo III
1 has a volvo/sx

Should this have any impact on my decision? Performance, durability, maintenance cost, etc? My guess is that the Bravo is the best but there must be some down sides.

The reality is, i probalby won't sea trial them all - only the boat i pick - primarily because i'm not really comfortable taking a boat for a ride "just to see how it runs" unless I plan to buy it. It's not the easiest thing for seller or buyer.

Any comments?

Thanks.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Alpha vs. SX vs. Bravo III - buy decision everything else equal?

Advantages of a dual prop drive over a single prop drive have been covered many times. Might not be necessary in the "boat" you describe. However, if the B3 isn't that much more than the VP, then it's the way to go. What is dealer/mechanical support for Volvo Penta like in your area? For Mercruiser?

 

[crqflier]

Re: Alpha vs. SX vs. Bravo III - buy decision everything else equal?

Thanks. I searched this forum, the prop forum, and engine forum for "bravo III" and couldn't find a good thread. Found a bunch with a comments here or there. I've read about corrosion, but not relative to an alpha or SX setup. I've also read mid-range performance. But i've also read that you may not need or even want a bravo III on a boat this "small". I've read the V/P is more expensive to maintain - but that was on the mercruiser site...

If someone has a great thread in mind, I'd appreciate the link.

The bravo equiped boat is the smallest - 21 feet, lowest hours - 48, and middle asking price - within $1000 of the other two. The V/P and merc support appears to be equal in the area.

 

[sw33ttooth]

Re: Alpha vs. SX vs. Bravo III - buy decision everything else equal?

from what i have learnd alpha is the small merc outdrive as reliable as it is however bravo is the high end bigger tougher [more money] as for volvo they like there product so much they charge more. merc is more of a common brand by me so repair shops know how to diagnois and repair[doesnt mean they dont know how to on a volvo] if it was me id be between the alpha and bravo depending on hull, motor, and interior. at mid2000's and 50-150 hours that should all be good but id look to see which one fits me best loads and unloads best[if differnt] i would nickpick at everything i could just to point things out that i dont like since you like all 3.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Alpha vs. SX vs. Bravo III - buy decision everything else equal?

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=460903&highlight=bravo+advantages

Try this post and read my post, it's #8.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Alpha vs. SX vs. Bravo III - buy decision everything else equal?

VP parts are more expensive than Mercruiser parts. Plus their raw water impeller pump, while mounted higher on the front of the motor than a Mercruiser Bravo, is not rebuildable. If it leaks, they make you buy a whole new pump. Bravo 3 pumps are easily rebuildable.
Newer VP have corrosion issues as well. The SX is not as bad as the DuoProp, though. Bravo 3s are legendary for their corrosion issues. But if you know how to maintain them, put the correct anodes on them, or trailer the boat, corrosion isn't a big deal.
The Alpha is the crudest and simpliest drive of the three. VPs and Bravos are both similiar in how they operate and shift into/out of gear.

 

[TX H210SS]

Re: Alpha vs. SX vs. Bravo III - buy decision everything else equal?

I have run an Alpha I Gen II for years and never had any probs....i trailer so it doesn't sit up near the marina and corrode though....never changed a corrosion tab ever and never had need to do so (10 years)...i washed it down regularly, swapped impellor every two years and swapped oil every year.

With that said i now have a VP / SX and love it so far...i like the idea of being able to change the impellor myself at front of engine, the shifting is so much smoother it's scary and no shift cable boot to worry about. YOu only worry about that if you have to change them out.

I have been told the Alpha runs hotter and many use the drive shower, but i don't motor long distances so was never an issue for me...i'm told this is no concern with the VP.

In short - I can say both the Alpha and VP are good if you maintain them, generally speaking....never had the Bravo, but understand it's a beefed up Alpha.........can't speak as to maintaining a Bravo though.

 

[crqflier]

Re: Alpha vs. SX vs. Bravo III - buy decision everything else equal?

Thanks for the thread and post. This is my first boat, so I'm trying to make the right decision the first time - rather than going through the expense again in a year or so. Maybe a dream.

I'll be leaving the boat in the water May through Sept - fresh water. There is "no" electricity at the docks at the marina. However, the SX I'm looking at has no anode tabs/discs. So I'd need to add them I guess. I take it crude isn't necessarily bad and simple for me is good, but the SX and Bravo are similarly smoother to operate than the Alpha?

 

[DJ]

Re: Alpha vs. SX vs. Bravo III - buy decision everything else equal?

Having operated a B III for several yuears I can sing it's praises. They handle and shift very nicely.

Of all three, the Alpha is the nosiest and harshest shifting.

The Volvo drives are known for their velvet smooth shifting and durability.

 

[security6]

Re: Alpha vs. SX vs. Bravo III - buy decision everything else equal?

I've got a 23' deck boat with a Volvo 5.7 and Volvo SX drive in it. The boat has plenty of get-up for tubing, wakeboarding, slalom skiing, etc. I'd be surprised if a smaller boat with a 5.0 could really take advantage of the dual-prop, but I have no personal experience here.

Volvo SX is definitely easier than the Alpha for impeller changes. Changing bellows/u-joints/gimbal ring is also easier on a Volvo. Alpha does have cheaper parts and you can buy aftermarket drives (SEI) for really cheap. However, from what I've read the SX drives are bullet proof as long as you don't collide with anything.

If you are a new boater, or are a new boater to the area, you might think about the cost of props. I dinged up my prop pretty good last year in some shallows that I didn't realize were shallow, but I got a new one here on iboats for less than $100 shipped. A prop for the Alpha will be about the same. A dual prop for probably run you 4x or 5x the cost of a single prop. Something to think about.

 

[rick3452]

Re: Alpha vs. SX vs. Bravo III - buy decision everything else equal?

Bravo 3

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Alpha vs. SX vs. Bravo III - buy decision everything else equal?

I
never had the Bravo, but understand it's a beefed up Alpha..

That statement is COMPLETELY wrong.

A Bravo is mechanically similiar to a Volvo Penta. A Bravo is a "shift in the top, cone clutch drive", just like a VP. An Alpha is a "shift in the bottom, dog clutch type drive".

 

[crqflier]

Re: Alpha vs. SX vs. Bravo III - buy decision everything else equal?

Thanks for all the replies. Really helpful. Got it narrowed down to 2 boats now. Hope to have something by Memorial Day.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Alpha vs. SX vs. Bravo III - buy decision everything else equal?

Thanks for all the replies. Really helpful. Got it narrowed down to 2 boats now. Hope to have something by Memorial Day.

Will you be able to arrange a sea trial, mechanical inspection and marine survey by this weekend? You'll be spending a fair amount of coin for this boat. Don't rush the process and skimp on the details.

My .02