Looking for a New (to us) Boat. Help with choice of I/O and Outdrives Needed.

[kenmyfam]

As you may or may not know we have always been OMC outboard users. We are loking for another boat this coming season and have no experience of I/O and outdrives. Seen a lot of suitable boats advertised but need some help with what is recommended and what to steer clear of. We are looking around the 21ft mark bowriders and want a lot of power so looking at V8 fitted boats only at present.
Any help and advice will be very much appreciated.
Thank You,

Ken.

 

[Don S]

Re: Looking for a New (to us) Boat. Help with choice of I/O and Outdrives Needed.

Mercruiser or Volvo are the only choices you have. OMC went out of business in 1998.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Looking for a New (to us) Boat. Help with choice of I/O and Outdrives Needed.

So which one of the remaining is better overall, more reliable, easier to repair, better availability of parts etc, etc ?? and are there any particular versions of each that should be considered a no no ???
Thanks,

 

[billbayliner]

Re: Looking for a New (to us) Boat. Help with choice of I/O and Outdrives Needed.

All of the Volvos and the Merc B drives will be cone clutch gear engagement. Merc's Alpha drive and OMC's Cobra [no longer made] will be Dog Clutch gear engagement and need a shift assist sytem that can be troublesome.
You'll have very little trouble with cone clutch engagement.

 

[bnicov]

Re: Looking for a New (to us) Boat. Help with choice of I/O and Outdrives Needed.

Having driven 17.5 and 18.5 bowriders with Merc Alpha and Volvo Penta SX, I'd stick to Volvo, no little grind every time it goes in gear and it feels smoother. Mine has a VP SX and I love it.