I/O questions

[freak007]

Okay, as some of you guys have figured out, I am in the market for a new boat... One of my requirements is that it is an I/O. My previous (and only other) boat was an older Mercruiser, and I am (somewhat) familiar with them. As such, I am kinda partial to them, but I do not want to rule out an otherwise good boat simply because I am not familiar with the outdrive.

With that, can anyone explain to me the pros and cons of the various outdrives? Especially Mercruiser, OMC, and Volvo.

Thanks

 

[Brewman61]

Re: I/O questions

Mercruiser VS Volvo? An unwinnable debate. Both serve their purpose. Both still in business. Neither going anywhere anytime soon.
OMC- not in production and hasn't been for some time. Parts may be hard to find, some shops may not prefer to work on them.

Try googling the various drives and you'll have more than enough reading to keep you occupied all year. Merc. vs volvo, etc........

 

[Silvertip]

Re: I/O questions

Merc and Volvo both use GM engines so end of discussion in that regard. The rest of the discussion involves the actual outdrive. I would not pass up a bargain regardless of the outdrive (except for the OMC issue which was already touched on).

 

[Bondo]

Re: I/O questions

Ayuh,... I Agree, ya can't go wrong with Chevy power...

I'm partial to Mercruisers,... Newer Volvos I guess are Ok, or Better than some Mercs...

 

[freak007]

Re: I/O questions

Thanks guys.

Shop availability is a non-issue as I do all my own mechanical work and the internet has made parts available anywhere...

Do Volvo and Mercruiser use ONLY GM engines? I have seen some boats listed with Chrysler and Ford engines, are these OMC drives? Is the OMC Cobra SX the same as the OMC Cobra? Any drive from Mercruiser or Volvo that should be avoided due to reliability or parts availability?

 

[444]

Re: I/O questions

All the mercruiser stuff is still available and some stuff is interchangeable with the newer stuff. I don't know anything about the volvo drives. OMC ran ford engines and I have seen some older stuff from the 70's with chrysler engines. Some of the older mercruiser stuff ran ford and chrysler engine as well but chevy has been dominating the i/o market for some time. Just for familiarity and parts availability I would go with a chevy in a i/o if you're looking for a v6 or v8.

 

[QC]

Re: I/O questions

Moved this over to non-repair I/O discussion. All good.

Help us narrow this a little. How much power and what type of boat are you talking about? A true Go Fast, I'd say Bravo 1, so done, more economical ride, Alpha because of SEI availability. 45 - 55 MPH over 300 horsepower, Bravo 3 or Duo-prop are pretty close, so it kinda depends IMHO.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: I/O questions

Mercruiser are the easiest to work on and probably the easiest to find someone to work on the drive.
They used both Ford(just a short time 888 I believe) and Chevy.At one time they made their own 4cyl.170/470 mod.Good motor just a few problems with the charging and cooling system.Not a lot of fans for this motor.
Volvo older models used Chrysler V-8.Volvo 4and6 cyl.And Chevy's 4/6/8/cyl.
Volvos are the best in my opinion.I had a pair (280's)on a 32ft.With twin 350's.260hp.
NEVER a problem with the drives.I had the boat for 12 years.
The newer drives are a great unit.They can handle all the horses you can throw at them.
Just stay FAR away from ANY OMC. Jerry

 

[freak007]

Re: I/O questions

Thanks guys...

Right now I am leaning towards a larger (20 foot range) Bow rider with a 200 - 250ish HP engine. I intend to use the boat for cruising, recreational water sports, and fishing. Not looking for a speed machine, but would like to be able to run mid to upper 40s... The max capacity the boat would likely see is 5 adults and 2 small children. "Normal" load would be 3-4 adults and 3 small children.

 

[TheBlizzard]

Re: I/O questions

You could make an argument for both a merc and volvo drive, both are good drives. I think the thing that is missing here is the maintenance, if you do the maitenance and take care of your drive they will tend to last, if you neglect things and do not do or have the maintenance done you will have problems down the road.

There are a lot of boats out there that fit your criteria, the main thing is going to be how much you are willing to spend and how much quality you want out of your boat.

 

[Bondo]

Re: I/O questions

Some of the older mercruiser stuff ran ford and chrysler engine as well but chevy has been dominating the i/o market for some time.

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

 

[QC]

Re: I/O questions

Right now I am leaning towards a larger (20 foot range) Bow rider with a 200 - 250ish HP engine.

This says Alpha to me. Maybe a Volvo SX. If you are buying new, then this is a dealer support and price question only.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: I/O questions

Howdy,

There is NOTHING wrong with Volvo Penta drives as long as you don't get something REALLY old!

However, If you're going to get a used boat and you want to be able to work on it yourself and scrounge used parts where appropriate, I would suggest Mercruiser.

If you look on EBAY for example, you'll find between 2 to 3 TIMES more new and used Mercruiser engines, drives, props, and other Mercruiser-specific parts than for Volvo.

When I swapped out the OMC junk(engine/sterndrive) from my 87 Four Winns, I looked all over Seattle/Puget Sound for a suitable Volvo engine and drive that would replace it.

All the time I looked I found SEVERAL Mercruisers.

I never did find a used Volvo eng/drive.... maybe people never part them out!! .........My engine/drive came from a Bayliner that a tree fell on.......(Maybe trees don't fall on Volvo Powered boats!!)

In any case, if you do not know what to check, pay someone at a reputable dealer/shop to inspect it.

Don't buy someone elses junk.


Good luck,


Rick

 

[QC]

Re: I/O questions

Maybe trees don't fall on Volvo Powered boats!!

LMAO @ Rick

And if they do, do they make a sound?

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: I/O questions

LMAO @ Rick

And if they do, do they make a sound?

Only if yer bedroom window is open!!

 

[QC]

Re: I/O questions

Oh brother . . . :facepalm: lol

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: I/O questions

Oh brother . . . :facepalm: lol

That is similar what I said (with additional expletives) when I bought the boat in my "sig" from MY brother!!

 

[freak007]

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.

 

[HT32BSX115]

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.

There's also the fact that the "engineers" that designed Mercury drives pretty much designed the other ones too........ except maybe the DANA's

Here's a really good "read" if you want to know who really designed the Volvos and and the Cobras etc......

http://www.rbbi.com/folders/pat/isd.htm

If you want New. pick something that has good dealer support near you.

If you pick used , pick something around 1998 or newer and have someone (qualified) inspect and guarantee it.

Cheers,


Rick

 

[Don S]

Re: I/O questions

and trees do not fall on Volvos...

They don't fall on them as often. Volvo's don't spend near as much time under the shade tree getting fixed :facepalm: