boat choice?????help

[freshwater]

Hey all Im new to the forum and was hoping you could help me make a choice on a new boat. 1st boat is a Reinell 197 4.3v6 carb volvo 2yr warranty on power train.2nd boat - 186 Caravell 4.3v6 carb mercruiser 6yr warranty.Similar price.I like the interior of the Reinell a wee bit better but I like the lines and hull of the Caravelle better.Any info to help make my choice easier would be great.???

 

[fire_mike]

Re: boat choice?????help

What model year are the boats? I think they are both good boats, and you couldn't go wrong with either one. I personally would go with the nicer interior because that is where you will be spending your time. I also like the lines of the Reinell's better, but that's just my personall opinion.

 

[freshwater]

Re: boat choice?????help

They are both 2008 models.Is the merc better\same as volvo?? Is one cheaper to repair than the other??

 

[fire_mike]

Re: boat choice?????help

From what I have been told, the merc is a better drive, but the volvo is cheaper to repair. I have no idea if this is true, but it's what I've heard. I was looking at a Glastron the other day, and the salesman showed me a feature the merc had and the volvo didn't - it's a trim safety feature. When you trim the motor up, there are two positions for the switch - when you push it into the first one, it only will trim the motor up to the maximum safe level for driving. If you push harder on the switch, it goes to the second position which allows the drive to be put up for trailering. This is nice because driving the boat with too much upward trimm can really hurt the outdrive (it has to do with the drive angles). I don't know if this is standard on mercs, or if it's available on the volvo, but it is a very nice feature.

 

[zach103]

Re: boat choice?????help

alota guys like the volvos here

 

[fire_mike]

Re: boat choice?????help

alota guys like the volvos here

I'd take either outdrive. The boat I am thinking about buying has a volvo.

 

[The Great Escape II]

Re: boat choice?????help

Hey all Im new to the forum and was hoping you could help me make a choice on a new boat. 1st boat is a Reinell 197 4.3v6 carb volvo 2yr warranty on power train.2nd boat - 186 Caravell 4.3v6 carb mercruiser 6yr warranty.Similar price.I like the interior of the Reinell a wee bit better but I like the lines and hull of the Caravelle better.Any info to help make my choice easier would be great.???

You can negotiate the warranty for the Volvo; have the dealer throw it in as part of the deal (it?s a buyers market). If both boats are similar in your view I would opt for the Volvo powered one over Merc. Volvo is easier to service the normal wear and tear items, impeller, oil filter is not upside down etc. Volvo's outdrives are overall better then Merc's, less corrosion issues, smoother shifting, they also invented the duo-prop. Also Merc has had over the years corrosion issues on their outdrives. My dock neighbors Alpha 1's after 1 year had to be replaced. But most of the issues were with Bravo 3's although they have gotten better. Cost for service I would say Volvo's would be slightly more expensive.

 

[freshwater]

Re: boat choice?????help

Hey guys great feed back keep it coming!! The 197 Reinell is abit bigger boat in length same beam@ 8' but the hull on the Caravell looks like it would handle chop abit better and they say it gets on plane faster and handles better????????The Reinell is 19'7" the Caravelle is 18'.Would the 4.3 be enough for the 19'7inch. Any opinions are welcome.

 

[KCook]

Re: boat choice?????help

Both boats are fairly new designs, I have not seen either one in person. Interesting that the weights are close, both rated for the same max power, but the Reinell has a big integrated swim platform. Which the Caravelle does not. So take away that swim platform and I suspect these are the same size boats. The photos on the Reinell site show the traditional motor box / jump seats seating plan. While the Caravelle has a bench seat plus sun pad. It's not clear from Reinell's web site whether they offer a bench seat option. The Caravelle can take an optional swim platform, MSRP $1,430.

So I wouldn't fret over the motor brands. In my view the seating and swim platform setups are more important. Which seating is best for you, and how important a swim platform is, are both entirely up to you. Different strokes for different folks.

Kelly

 

[ezmobee]

Re: boat choice?????help

I know Caravelle advertises completely wood free construction. I know that would be a plus for me. Does Reinell have that?

 

[freshwater]

Re: boat choice?????help

Thanks again!! The Reinell he has in stock doesnt have the swim platform(factory option),but the Caravell does.The Reinell has a plywood floor(lifetime warranty)AAAGGHHHH!!Im going to go have another look this weekend.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: boat choice?????help

drive system i prefer Volvo. they both are running GM marinized engines, i would say you are looking at pretty equal boats. take them both for test drives, and then make your decision.

 

[tysonnathan]

Re: boat choice?????help

Im a merc guy... but there are a lot of volvo fans too. kind of like ford and chevy.... it will never end. Both are good in my opinion. The added 4 year warranty on the Caravell would sell it for me.

 

[tysonnathan]

Re: boat choice?????help

I know Caravelle advertises completely wood free construction. I know that would be a plus for me. Does Reinell have that?

True... another huge selling point. Wood has no place in a boat.... unless its a chris craft

 

[freshwater]

Re: boat choice?????help

Hey Thanks for all the input!! I finally pulled the trigger and bought a 2008 Monterey 180fs.It has the Volvo drive 225hp injected 4.3v6.The other 2 boats were nice but they were not "wow thats it" This boat was like that.Going to pick it up next weekend!! What is the break in period for inboards?? Anyone have input on Monterey for warranty etc??

 

[The Great Escape II]

Re: boat choice?????help

Hey Thanks for all the input!! I finally pulled the trigger and bought a 2008 Monterey 180fs.It has the Volvo drive 225hp injected 4.3v6.The other 2 boats were nice but they were not "wow thats it" This boat was like that.Going to pick it up next weekend!! What is the break in period for inboards?? Anyone have input on Monterey for warranty etc??

Volvo has very specific instructions for the 20hr break-in. It will be in your manual or you can download it on Volvo Penta's website.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: boat choice?????help

its time to become familiar with this forum. http://forums.iboats.com/forumdisplay.php?f=21

 

[freshwater]

Re: boat choice?????help

Thanks again for all the info!! Im getting pretty hyped for the weekend,when I pick her up.Has anyone got any input good or bad on the monterey 180 fs225hp injected model???? All I have found has been from dealers and Montereys web site I would like some "real world" info.Thanks

 

[Dakota47]

Re: boat choice?????help

You will love it.. plenty of power for a 18ft bowrider.. enjoy..

 

[204 Escape]

Re: boat choice?????help

Congrats !!!!!!!!! NOW enjoy !!!!!!!!!!