Merc vs Volvo

[njmedic3306]

I am going to look for my first boat with an outdrive. I am looking for advice as I have only owned outboards.

1. How does Volvo match up against Merc?
2. With Merc what is the better setup. 140, 170, or a v8?

Any advice as I am looking at a 19 - 21 foot cuddy or walk around.

 

[Adirondack]

Re: Merc vs Volvo

I am going to look for my first boat with an outdrive. I am looking for advice as I have only owned outboards.

1. How does Volvo match up against Merc?
2. With Merc what is the better setup. 140, 170, or a v8?

Any advice as I am looking at a 19 - 21 foot cuddy or walk around.

Remember your asking for opinions, so your going to get a lot. Here's mine.

1. Mercruiser. cost and availability of parts and service. Both drives if cared for give good service

2. 19 - 21 ft. boat the 140 will be under powered. 6 cyl will do the job in a 19ft., but if you go up to the 21 ft. I would want at least a 5.0 v8 particularly if your going to ski wkaeboard, or tube.

There you go. Hope it was helpful.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Merc vs Volvo

2. With Merc what is the better setup. 140, 170, or a v8?

Ayuh,... You Don't want a 170hp 470....

 

[njmedic3306]

Re: Merc vs Volvo

How about a 83 Chris Craft walk around. Will the 180hp be enough to tube or water ski.

I guess I am wondering about this boat. I know its a fishing boat but would it work for tubing?

http://jerseyshore.craigslist.org/boa/1948297100.html

 

[robjen1019]

Re: Merc vs Volvo

Don't want that one. If your looking for a boat that big make sure it has a V8 in it. Some say you could get by with a 305/5.0 but believe me, it won't be long before you wish you had the 350/5.7. Ive owned both Mercs and Volvos. I like the volvo outdrives, especially the duo props.
Engines are pretty much the same for any newer boat.
My recommendations
17ft under 3.0
19ft under 4.3
19 over 5.7
don't know much about 24ft and over

Others engines to look for are the volvo swedish engines.
Aq131, aq151, and aq171. These are different than the 3.0(gm) and 470(ford/mercruiser) engines. They seem to get good fuel mileage.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Merc vs Volvo

a volvo drive sx series............is far superior to a merc alpha next question..

 

[JustJason]

Re: Merc vs Volvo

Both drives will push the boat through the water. Volvo is much more expensive when you go to buy parts for it. So therefore Mercruiser is a better value.
The Volvo setup is better made, but a well taken care of Merc should give you no problems.
You want to stick with common engines
2.5
3.0
4.3
5.0
5.7
Anything other than that (ie-3.7) and you'll be asking for trouble.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Merc vs Volvo

The 302/351w are also good, you won't see many of them except in the mid-90's paired with Volvos or on a direct drive setup. The Mercruiser Alpha may be less refined as far as the clutch is concerned, but it's a metter of personal preference really. A little more noise/bump isn't that big of a deal, and costs less for parts. The Volvo's are smooth though, so it's really how much you want to spend. I think the B3's are as good as the Duo's though; probably not going to be a popular option in either case for a 19-22' boat.

 

[Dave1251]

Re: Merc vs Volvo

I would stay away from pre 1994 Volvo's. While they are good drives and motors, parts are expensive and not many tech's have the specials tools for major service. I would also stay away from Ford based engines, Parts are getting harder to find for these engines. For example, Volvo no longer supplies the engine coupler for some of the Ford engines.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Merc vs Volvo

Didn't know that about the 90's Volvo's. I didn't know Volvo would stop making couplers for them, but I suppose it's been a decade since they used Fords. However, the OP didn't really specify the year range of what he is looking for, so it's hard to say. I just hate hearing the "parts hard to find" excuse for the 302/351W with the Merc's since they are readily available online. Heck I found at least half a dozen sites that carry most any part for the Merc's in relation to the 302/351W. Everything from the transom plate back is standard Merc, so no reason to remove the SBF's from contention unless you are worried about a Volvo coupler I suppose.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Merc vs Volvo

Between a Volvo Sx and an Alpha drive, the cone clutch vs the dog clutch and having the waterpump out of the drive would be plenty to pick Volvo over Mercruiser.

 

[pcmpete]

Re: Merc vs Volvo

Volvo hands down.
No splitting your outdrive EVERY year to change your impeller.

Easier to change a shift cable and bellows. opps... what bellows


Go to your local marina and ask the locals for their opinions of their Merc's and Volvo drives, and if they do they own servicing/repairs or pay for professional service.

Just do a couple of searches here on iboats about each drive and count how many 'problem' threads there are for each drive.

Never rule out the older Volvo drives 200 - 290. Yes NEW parts maybe more expensive, but they are bulletproof and have fewer parts than the Merc's.
and there are plenty secondhand drives available on ebay and craigslist...
plus they are harder to be stolen from your boat

P.S. it is easier to change a boat's transom from Merc to Volvo






Just my 2cents.......

 

[njmedic3306]

Re: Merc vs Volvo

I didn't see that last Volvo info until after I picked up my new boat. I did go with the advice of getting a large v8 although I am thinking I went a bit overboard.

Here is a link I found that shows my new boat.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hk324Q-XMs0

I started this thing up and its sounds mean, can't wait to get her out on the water.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Merc vs Volvo

I started this thing up and its sounds mean, can't wait to get her out on the water.

I watched the video - no water to the drive for that long? Make sure you replace the impeller and any associated damage before putting it in the water.

Also - looks like the outdrive was in the full trailer position the entire time. A big "no-no" when it comes to I/Os. You need to pull the drive and check things out before putting it in the water - like your u joints, bellows, etc.

 

[njmedic3306]

Re: Merc vs Volvo

That was an old video and I bought the boat from the next owner who replaced/rebuild the entire lower unit including the Gimble. Thanks for all the help. I really appriciate it.

 

[njmedic3306]

Re: Merc vs Volvo

OH AND ONE MORE QUESTION (no laughing please)...

Being that I have always owned outboards and know about the pee stream......how do you know if the impeller is bad on an I/O?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Merc vs Volvo

OH AND ONE MORE QUESTION (no laughing please)...

Being that I have always owned outboards and know about the pee stream......how do you know if the impeller is bad on an I/O?

It over heats! Best thing to do is replace it every two years and always use muffs when starting out of water.

 

[smitty28]

Re: Merc vs Volvo

OH AND ONE MORE QUESTION (no laughing please)...

Being that I have always owned outboards and know about the pee stream......how do you know if the impeller is bad on an I/O?

Your temp guage will be over 170