I/O questions

[EMC 1810SS]

Re: I/O questions

I would go Mercruiser Alpha 1 Gen II or Bravo 1 or III for one reason and one reason only. I work on all of my own stuff and Mercruiser "wearable" parts are just plain cheaper and always in stock. From impellers to gaskets on down the line. I actually think the Volvo SX drive is a better drive than the Alpha 1 but the alpha will live quite well behind 300 hp or less. for your needs, Alpha 1 all the way.

 

[QC]

Re: I/O questions

LOL @ Don

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: I/O questions

LOL @ Don

I can see where this is going


this is almost as good as an oil thread.........

................HEY.....


How come we haven't seen any oil threads lately?

 

[Lou C]

Re: I/O questions

Merc parts and service are everywhere, and cheaper too, but Volvos have their fans, the SX is more like the Bravo than an Alpha, strength wise, the only Volvo I would not buy for sure is the Ocean Series, that had a lot of water leaking in the bellows issues and has been discontinued. Also the newer 07 and on up Volvos had some issues with the transom mounted trim pump leaking, it may be past history by now, but that's good to know about.....

 

[freak007]

Re: I/O questions

Thanks again guys!!


I have been doing more research and have discovered that there are many variations of the Penta outdrive... I know the Mercruiser has the MR, R, Alpha One and Gen I... but I am not familiar with the Penta at all...

Anybody care to give me a breakdown of the various models (both mercruiser and volvo), and the potential issues associanted with each?

 

[QC]

Re: I/O questions

You need to tell us your budget. I think you're talking used if I read correctly. Based on what you have said so far, still think Alpha.

I count more than 60 various Volvos. No sense in looking at all of them and trying to wrap your head around them. Really isn't. The basics are, AQ's and SX's are single prop, and DPs are DuoProp, but there are newer and older versions etc.

 

[freak007]

Re: I/O questions

You need to tell us your budget. I think you're talking used if I read correctly. Based on what you have said so far, still think Alpha.

I count more than 60 various Volvos. No sense in looking at all of them and trying to wrap your head around them. Really isn't. The basics are, AQ's and SX's are single prop, and DPs are DuoProp, but there are newer and older versions etc.

I am looking at used boats. Right now I am looking to spend 4 to 6K. In my area it seems that will get me a 18+ foot BR with a 175hp or better I/O from the mid 80s to early 90s... If nessecary I could probably swing 8 to 9K, but such a boat had better not need ANY repairs, would have to come with all the required equipment (I have life vests still), and require little to no customization to make "perfect"...

 

[Lou C]

Re: I/O questions

Buying a boat of that age, there are much bigger things to worry about, than if it has a Merc or Volvo drive, as long as you can get service on it, both (Merc vs Volvo) are good and can last for years if properly maintained. Even OMCs can last, mine is 23 years old, has been reliable, needed some repairs but nothing out of the ordinary.
What you should focus on first, is does the boat have wood ROT? you can replace a drive, replace an engine, in a day, but wood rot is a time consuming, messy, toxic mess to repair. When looking at a used boat, I look for wood rot and other fiberglass problems first, if I found those I'd walk away, even if it had good mechanicals. Make sure the structure is sound. If a boat was left outside, not covered, in a damp climate you can find rot in boats as new as 5 years old, and many many boats 10-15 years old will have rot somewhere, unless it was always stored inside. Mid 80s, to early 90s, puts you at 26 to 20 years old. I'd keep saving, and get something newer. Been there, done that (bought a 14 year old boat, had to fix rot, mechanicals were, and still are good, would not do it again). Next boat, will be 3-4 years old. I don't want to fix rot and don't want to chase parts for 20 year old power packages either....

Go over to the boat restoration forum and look around, there are boats as new as mid to late 90s that need all new stringers, decks, transoms, because they were not built right to start with (lousy glass jobs, carpeted decks, holes drilled in decks for mounting seats, not sealed, carpet held in the moisture, outdrive transom opening not sealed, it goes on and on....)

And quit kidding yourself.....ALL USED BOATS NEED REPAIRS.....it's the nature of the beast....

 

[Tahorover]

Re: I/O questions

Ayuh,... Mercruiser quit using Fords in the 70s...
And,...
Mercruiser Never used Chrysler motors...

never say never! In the late 80's when Chrysler marine was closing they were talking to Mercruiser about buying the tooling for the 440. From what I've heard there is less than 10 boats with a factory 440/Bravo set up.

 

[Bondo]

Re: I/O questions

So in short:

Avoid OMC. Mercruiser or Volvo are both reliable units (when properly maintained/not abused). Mercruiser has better aftermarket/used parts availability. Volovo has a better "comfort factor" and trees do not fall on Volvos...


Thanks Guys!!! Helped me out a lot.

Ayuh,..... EXCEPT,...

Mercruiser used to build an in-line 4, known as the 470....

You DON'T want 1 of them Either...

never say never! In the late 80's when Chrysler marine was closing they were talking to Mercruiser about buying the tooling for the 440. From what I've heard there is less than 10 boats with a factory 440/Bravo set up.

Ayuh,... Experimental, 'n Junkyard dogs excluded of course....