I/O Mercruiser vs Volvo Penta

[Kiwi Phil]

I am not a fan of I/O.<br />Have had a Mercruiser and not particularly happy with price of parts etc. It was in a wet berth, and that i believe that was the biggest mistake I made.<br />So....is the Volvo Penta any better, cheaper for parts, easier to service etc.<br />What are your opinions.<br />I ask this as....to go over 21' then the majority of mini cruisers come powered with I/O.<br />Cheers<br />Phillip

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: I/O Mercruiser vs Volvo Penta

No cheaper, probably more expensive.<br /><br />But heaps better.<br /><br />I disagree that most 21+fters are I/O. Plenty of twin outboards up in Qld. Keep looking, Phil.<br /><br />Does this post mean that the whittley is history?

 

[ewenm]

Re: I/O Mercruiser vs Volvo Penta

Hey Phil you started a new post- ive got a Bayliner ciera 2255 a 1993 model, something our american friends would consider trash. but its a great little boat, i keep it at newport marina at scarborough, 18mths ago the head on the 190hp mercruiser rotted through and filled a cylinder with water i tried to fix it myself but didnt realise what the problem really was (the rotted head) so once i knew what the problem was i bit the bullet and repowered it<br /><br />i used jason at spinnacker sound marina at bribe island to do the work, DonS from the bayliner owners club and also appears here advvised me to look at the volvo penta and as i know the parts manager at eastern engines i decided to go with it i got a 4.3gxi and duoprop and i have to tell you it transformed the boat. if i was to consider another boat second hand unless it had a new or near new power assembly i would factor it into my offer, you just wont believe how good the new efi motors are. instead of a dog of a boat this thing flys and if driven around 3500-3800 it use about half the fuel it used to. its now 18mths since the repower and it been nothing but a joy to own other than mooring fees 2400.00 insurance 650.00 and 100 hour service (this thursday) the only other expense has been antifouling and this year i did it myself 220.00 for lift out and pressure clean and 150.00 for paint probably about 150.00 more for bits and pieces so all up i'm happy with my cheap nasty bayliner<br /><br />Regards Ewen

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: I/O Mercruiser vs Volvo Penta

$2400 for 12 months? Damn that's cheap, I'm paying $3300

 

[Lou C]

Re: I/O Mercruiser vs Volvo Penta

I have kept mine in salt water for the past 4 summers, I have had to have various seals replaced and the bellows (barnicles) but other than that, on this 17 year old OMC no major parts have needed to be replaced on the drive unit. I did replace the ex manifolds 2 years ago because I had no idea how long they were used in salt water. The engine is an original 1988 OMC 4.3. If you keep an I/O in salt water you have to figure on pulling the boat about every 3 months to check the anodes and you may have to respray the antifouling on the drive. It depends on how good the antifouling paint is where you are located. They outlawed the tin based paints here in the US. I have thought of a newer boat with an outboard to cut down on maintenance but I like the design of this old Four Winns, it is a solid boat that is easy to work on. As long as I can get OMC parts I will run this one, when I can't I will upgrade to a Volvo even though it doesn't really make sense money wise, I can get a new boat mechanically for 1/2 the price of a similar size new boat.

 

[Kiwi Phil]

Re: I/O Mercruiser vs Volvo Penta

I had a 25' Mariner Flybridge at Spinnaker Sounds.<br />I delt with Jason at the workshop. <br />I now have a 99 Whitley Impala with a 115 Johnson.<br />Your comments re the re-power are interesting. I'll think about them.<br />I'm at Morayfield.<br />Aldo, I am not too sure of the Whitley. No doubt about it: it is a great boat for it's size,(17') and goes well. It has everything from tucked away porta-potti, pressure water/sink, deck shower, cooker, and the finish is excellant. <br />It is just not quite like a bigger boat in ride and space. A small chop is not comfortable. I havn't been across the Bay to Moreton as I feel I need a calm day for comfort. The 25'er was better. I am wondering if a 23' would be similar. I can trailer a 23'.<br />So I am thinking.. thinking.. not in a hurry at all.<br />Cheers<br />Phillip

 

[Kiwi Phil]

Re: I/O Mercruiser vs Volvo Penta

I had a 25' Mariner Flybridge at Spinnaker Sounds.<br />I delt with Jason at the workshop. <br />I now have a 99 Whitley Impala with a 115 Johnson.<br />Your comments re the re-power are interesting. I'll think about them.<br />I'm at Morayfield.<br />Aldo, I am not too sure of the Whitley. No doubt about it: it is a great boat for it's size,(17') and goes well. It has everything from tucked away porta-potti, pressure water/sink, deck shower, cooker, and the finish is excellant. <br />It is just not quite like a bigger boat in ride and space. A small chop is not comfortable. I havn't been across the Bay to Moreton as I feel I need a calm day for comfort. The 25'er was better. I am wondering if a 23' would be similar. I can trailer a 23'.<br />So I am thinking.. thinking.. not in a hurry at all.<br />Cheers<br />Phillip

 

[ewenm]

Re: I/O Mercruiser vs Volvo Penta

phil <br />our previous boat was a whitley 530 with 115hp evinrude a beautifully finished boat, but like you we took a pounding on morton bay to the point that my wife refused to go in it unless the bay was carm, about twice a year. so that prompted our decision to go larger however the 2255 ciera is quite a wide boat 8.5 feet for its length and its still not perfect in a chop but at least the extra weight and size keeps my wife happy on the return trip from morton ne15-20 knots almost every time<br /><br />while i'm currently full time moored i would like a trailer to get it out of the water and home for the winter months so i can do more servicing myself and also detailing/cleaning<br /><br />but if you buy another second hand moored boat<br />definately try to repower it especially while the existing motor is running and then you can sell it to soften the blow a little i got 3000.00 for my non running mercruiser 4.3LX Alpha gen2 the repower cost about 24000.00 inc stanless steel props (duo prop) <br /><br />when i look back at all ive spent inc purchase i could have bought a brand new mustang 2200 club sport but it is quite clostraphobic (spelling is not one of my strong points)in comparison so we are very happy with our choice. hope this helps <br /><br />regards Ewen

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: I/O Mercruiser vs Volvo Penta

Phil, if you are looking at 23ft glass, you're gunna need a cruiser or patrol to tow it. The falcon won't do it, no way no how.

 

[DJ]

Re: I/O Mercruiser vs Volvo Penta

It all depends on where you are and what you want.<br /><br />It boils down to dealer servive/parts.<br /><br />I like Volvo technology and longevity.<br /><br />MerCruiser service is hard to beat.

 

[Kiwi Phil]

Re: I/O Mercruiser vs Volvo Penta

Yes, I know I am up for changing vehicles. Wife has been at me for some time over a Ti Patrol (2000 forward). I have been stall-ing.<br />I would like to go to Moreton, but havn't been game as my wife dosn't like the pounding coming back either. It also worries me a bit actually.<br />Is the 2255 a lot better than the W 530 on the Bay?<br />A guy that launches at Spinnaker has an old Bayliner 24 or 26', on a trailer. He repowered with a new 250hp OB on a pod. Rebuit the complete boat too. It is a really nice set up and he says Moreton is no problem.<br />Cheers<br />Phillip

 

[watered down]

Re: I/O Mercruiser vs Volvo Penta

Here's what I have learned in my searching for a new boat. <br />For small to mid-range runabouts, the volvo SX is "bullet proof." It's sturdier, easier to work on and the cone clutch is smoother than the Merc. Things like changing impeller is as simple as removing two screws from the casing.<br /><br />The Merc is no slouch. However, maintaining it is a little more time consuming and thereby, costly due a little more difficulty in accessing things like the impeller, etc. ( I have never owned a Merc so a current owner is welcome to correct me if I'm wrong) The dog clutch still clunks and is not as smooth as the volvo cone clutch.<br /><br />I have heard from numerous people on forums, mechanics at the dealer and the service manager that the vovlo is a better buy at this level.<br /><br />They have also said that Merc is the way to go for high performance and the bravo III is awsome. (it has the cone clutch) For the bigger, faster boats, the Merc is the better performer. <br /><br />This is just what I've put together from my research and owning volvos.

 

[s1jor]

Re: I/O Mercruiser vs Volvo Penta

whats wrong with the volvo dp drive???????????

 

[umblecumbuz]

Re: I/O Mercruiser vs Volvo Penta

Think I'll keep out of this one.<br /><br />It's an Ozzie benefit!

 

[swist]

Re: I/O Mercruiser vs Volvo Penta

Volvos were once famous for unavailability of parts (and the astronomic cost once they did come in).<br /><br />I don't know if this is still true.

 

[ewenm]

Re: I/O Mercruiser vs Volvo Penta

Phil <br />i ran my ciera 2255 over to bribe this morning BOY IT WAS ROUGH

 

[ewenm]

Re: I/O Mercruiser vs Volvo Penta

Phil <br />i ran my ciera 2255 over to bribe this morning BOY IT WAS ROUGH (sorry hit thr wrong key) i had the tabs down 2800rpm and 34 kmph on gps about 18 knots and it handled it well<br /><br />Ewen