MerCruiser or Volvo Penta

[david.d.nguyen@honeywell]

Hello Fellow Boaters:<br />I am looking to purchase my first boat this spring. I have been drooling over the Chapparal 190 for some time now and finally got the funds to purchase it. My question is this... Do I go with a MerCruiser or a Volvo Penta stern drive? Which one is in the shop more often, which one is user friendly and service friendly, etc... I figure if anyone can help me, it's my soon to be fellow boaters.

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: MerCruiser or Volvo Penta

Are you sure you want a CRAPPERelle? What happened to this guy is plain disgusting!<br /><br />Read this first before you decide to buy:<br /><br /> http://www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=006001

 

[arks]

Re: MerCruiser or Volvo Penta

They both make fine products, but I would vote V-P if you have a servicing dealer nearby.

 

[fireship1]

Re: MerCruiser or Volvo Penta

Hello, They are both very good overall. They also each have their own set of troubles. Two of the most common come to mind. Mercs shift clunky, Volvo's duo props sometimes weld themselves to the shaft. Mechanically speaking I personally like them both. The only advantage that you might have with a Merc is availability of dealers for service and maintenance. Their seem to be a greater network of Merc dealers as compared to Volvo. Which ever you choose be sure to keep up with the maintenance. You can buy the most expensive engine and drive package around but without the proper maintenance and care it will turn to junk in no time at all! Good luck!

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: MerCruiser or Volvo Penta

I have owned both. I personally think that the Volvo is better engineered over the Merc. I have had less failure rate with the Volvo over the Merc. The Volvo parts are more costly than Merc.<br /><br />Good Luck

 

[dmorley]

Re: MerCruiser or Volvo Penta

I don't know anything about the Volvo, but Mercruser is developing a bad reputation for not acknowledging shortcommings in their products. Yes, they honor the warranty, but if you don't notice the problem in the first year as is usually the case with the Bravo corrosion and one piece exhaust manifolds fiascos Mercury will not show one bit of consideration. I'll never buy Mercury again until they change their ways.

 

[david.d.nguyen@honeywell]

Re: MerCruiser or Volvo Penta

Fireship 1: Thanks for bringing up the serviceablity issue. I never took that into consideration. If the dealer offers both engine types I would assume they can service both? Am I correct in my thinking?

 

[david.d.nguyen@honeywell]

Re: MerCruiser or Volvo Penta

so far it seems as though Volvo Penta is a better engine. I especially appreciated the feedback from Don Morley about his personal experiences with MerCruiser - Thanks Don!

 

[MFG197]

Re: MerCruiser or Volvo Penta

I think the volvo is a beefier stern drive than merc alpha. shifting mech in volvo is more like a bravo (cone clutch) than the merc which is more like an outboard (dog clutch) smoother more reliable shifts in the longrun from volvo??<br /><br />I have to say I do have an alpha but have only had it for a year (7yo boat) and I am not a mechanic so this is only what ive read and heard.

 

[notaxnd]

Re: MerCruiser or Volvo Penta

By reading all the articles on this web page you see more people write in with Merc problems then Volvo. I have a 1995 Crestliner with a 3.0 Volvo SX drive. Knok on wood it has never been back in the shop for any work. I do my own maintance spring and fall.I see Disco Dave you are from MN. that is volvo country. finding a volvo dealer should be no problem. Go to a dealer that sell both units you will see they are working on more Merc then Volvo. One thing in my opinion a Merc is quieter then a Volvo.

 

[BadgerXXX]

Re: MerCruiser or Volvo Penta

While I think perhaps the Volvo is a little tougher drive. In all fairness there are a LOT more merc drives out there. I bet it's 10 to one at least. So more drives = more problems.

 

[jbh350]

Re: MerCruiser or Volvo Penta

You can't go wrong with either drive. I own the Volvo and love it. My opinion, what ever boat is the best deal, Buy It! You will be happy with either one. The only problem I see is with the Merc. Bravo 3 (corrosion) other than that they are both excellent drives.

 

[fireship1]

Re: MerCruiser or Volvo Penta

Hello Dave, Yes I would think the same thing. They sell the product and they would naturally want you to return there for all of your service needs. So I would gather that they would service both. But don't just assume this! Ask and be sure before the sale! Tell the dealer that you would like to see the service department. They should walk you through and introduce you to the service manager. Take a close look around while you are there. Things should be neat and orderly. If the place is a mess it's not a good sign of the way they run their shop. If they can't keep that in order, how are they supposed to treat your boat! Do a little research on the dealer before you buy. Ask around at the dock, the local CG auxiliary, other boaters in your area..etc. Make sure you are dealing with a reputable dealer BEFORE you buy. This way if anything does go wrong and you need to depend on the dealer you know that they will do their best to help make it right. Good luck!

 

[captchas]

Re: MerCruiser or Volvo Penta

if you want easy service go with the merc. their dealer net work is larger. the v-p is great unit but service is some times hard to find and out of warrenty very costly, i personaly use and love the merc. units esp. the alpha 1 and bravo 1 units ,<br />the merc units have many new things that make self sevice a dream even for the layman, after market parts are every where. good luck