5.0 L fuel injected in either case.
What are the pros and cons of each? Which would you choose and why?
What are the pros and cons of each? Which would you choose and why?
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Looking at a new boat. Which engine? Mercruiser or Volvo-Penta, and why?
- Thread starter scooper77515
- Start date
duo prop is an option that I have been tossing around...:cheers:
Volvo...
I have to agree. Though Merc and Volvo have been around a while, the Volvo Penta seems to be a top seller. It's a tried and true engine configuration that most see as the Mercedes of boat motors........:cheers:
I have to agree. Though Merc and Volvo have been around a while, the Volvo Penta seems to be a top seller. It's a tried and true engine configuration that most see as the Mercedes of boat motors........:cheers:
Cool. That helps us narrow down our search for our next boat.:cheers:
hitman782
New Member
From my experience as kid growing up on the great lakes, my parents boats always had i/o mercs on them. Never really had much of a problem with the outdrives.. Only had issues with the starbord motor on the carver, but thats because the guy who previously owned it didnt know his ass from a hole in the ground...
b15philly
New Member
From my past experience, having had both Volvo, and Merc's, I would chose the Volvo over the Merc any day for a inboard motor. Most recently my family owned a 22ft Cobia Cuddy cabin with a 4.6 Merc cruiser with a alpha 2 out drive that was nothing but headaches for us over the 9 years of owning the boat. Every year but one, we were being towed at least once with some sort of motor problem, the motor made great power, but was very unreliable. Now, this it not to say that all Merc products are bad this is just my experience. Parts for the Merc I have noticed to be cheaper than the Volvo, but again this also depends on your location and what type of facilities surround you. I dont think I will ever go back to an I/O because in my mind they are harder to work on even though it is almost exactly like looking at a car motor, I just think access to an outboard is much easier and I understand outboards a little better. Anyways just my 2 cents good luck with what ever you get:cheers:
At this point, we are leaning toward the Chaparral 216 ssi with 5.0 V-P and aluminum trailer, wakeboard tower, etc. We have been looking at the boat shows and keep getting drawn to this one.
http://www.chaparralboats.com/2009/php/imageGallery.php?model=ssw216
http://www.chaparralboats.com/2009/php/imageGallery.php?model=ssw216
b15philly
New Member
Man that's a really nice boat. What kind of Horse power does the 5.0 put out? One thing that I would not want is the carpet. I had carpet in one of our older boats and it just ends up smelling no matter how well you clean it. I like that style boat because you can use it in a lake or the rougher waters in the ocean. I think one of the best features is the amount of space at the transom, it has a huge swim platform.
I was asking about the carpet, of course, the salesmen all said there is no problem with is stinking.
But "you can unsnap it and wash it with a pressure washer" which is, I assume, short version of "when it stinks, spray it!"
otherwise, around 260-270 hp.
But "you can unsnap it and wash it with a pressure washer" which is, I assume, short version of "when it stinks, spray it!"
otherwise, around 260-270 hp.
greyrider
New Member
since no one else is ... i have a 20 ft cc with the gas sipping 3.0lx Merc (chev) and have NEVER had a problem. It is a 1993. I also have the original lower II unit. mint.
silicone spray is the miracle. only thing my boat needs right now is the stupid shift boot that is a pita to change...
not s...ing on volvo - know nothing about them
but please buy USA
best to you
bobby
silicone spray is the miracle. only thing my boat needs right now is the stupid shift boot that is a pita to change...
not s...ing on volvo - know nothing about them
but please buy USA
best to you
bobby
robin savell lloyd
Active Member
Scott what is wrong with the Seadoo? The challenger has come a very long ways. http://www.sea-doo.com/en-US/sportboat/recreation/challenger230SP/ 
Honestly, Robin, There are some limtations to the jet engine that we don't want to have to deal with.
I guess the short version is I bought a nice looking jet boat which quickly cratered and I had to buy a new old stock motor within weeks of purchasing the boat. The 2-stroke, especially, has been finicky and needs to be so finely tuned, that I am ready for something I can squirt some gas into and just drive it.
Plus we want a boat that is a bit bigger and has more room for our fat arses. :reddevil:
My parents are moving to Yuma and I told them that I would give them my challenger. It is perfect for a couple, and still able to pull up a skier. So I will give them this one (I could NEVER sell it for anything near what I paid for it) and everyone will be happy.
I guess the short version is I bought a nice looking jet boat which quickly cratered and I had to buy a new old stock motor within weeks of purchasing the boat. The 2-stroke, especially, has been finicky and needs to be so finely tuned, that I am ready for something I can squirt some gas into and just drive it.
Plus we want a boat that is a bit bigger and has more room for our fat arses. :reddevil:
My parents are moving to Yuma and I told them that I would give them my challenger. It is perfect for a couple, and still able to pull up a skier. So I will give them this one (I could NEVER sell it for anything near what I paid for it) and everyone will be happy.
robin savell lloyd
Active Member
I do understand I would feel the same way. The new Seadoo is 4 cycle and looks as large as what you are looking at. :cheers:
SGTDuckButter
New Member
Who own's Volvo-Penta?
I'm almost positive its BRP.........But I could be wrong, Doesn't BRP manufacture Johnson and Evinrude, OMC?
I'm almost positive its BRP.........But I could be wrong, Doesn't BRP manufacture Johnson and Evinrude, OMC?
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b15philly
New Member
Another reason to go prop is the wife never really got comfortable with the lack of control at low speeds, and realizing that you have to gas it to make it turn, and she never even attempted to use reverse.
I am in the water wakeboarding much of the time, and she is behind the wheel, so we need something that is more comfortable for her to drive and control.
The challenger performed it's function...it was our first and relatively cheap (minus repairs, engine replacement...) boat and her first ever to use (I have driven boats much of my life, from big block jets to outboards, to canoes:rofl
. We were able to find out for sure that she is a boat person, likes to be on the water, and will be able to pull me around. Now we will invest in a "real" boat, something bigger than 14 feet.:reddevil:
I am in the water wakeboarding much of the time, and she is behind the wheel, so we need something that is more comfortable for her to drive and control.
The challenger performed it's function...it was our first and relatively cheap (minus repairs, engine replacement...) boat and her first ever to use (I have driven boats much of my life, from big block jets to outboards, to canoes:rofl
. We were able to find out for sure that she is a boat person, likes to be on the water, and will be able to pull me around. Now we will invest in a "real" boat, something bigger than 14 feet.:reddevil:
Do agree...
I have to agree here. I've also had the Merc I/O drive system in my 19 foot Marquis. It used the 145 horse GM motor. I had problems with it on a constant basis till I finally sold it. I kinda like the alpha drive. The only problem I had with it was the boot between the hull and drive unit. I didn't know if had split and when I put it in the water, I almost sunk it before I could get it back to the trailer.
I have had several friends with the Volvo Penta set up. One friend, who just got a nice boat last year has the new 420 hp big block V-8 with Duoprop drive, which is the counter rotating props, is fast and smooth. He has it in a 25 foot custom boat. I've known him for about 10 years and after he rode in my Challenger, I thought I had him sold with a Seadoo. But, like so many of us men with wives, they do pretty much have the last say-so. I think he was almost sold on the Wake or Utopia
So, if I were going to do it, it'd be a Volvo........:cheers:
I have to agree here. I've also had the Merc I/O drive system in my 19 foot Marquis. It used the 145 horse GM motor. I had problems with it on a constant basis till I finally sold it. I kinda like the alpha drive. The only problem I had with it was the boot between the hull and drive unit. I didn't know if had split and when I put it in the water, I almost sunk it before I could get it back to the trailer.
I have had several friends with the Volvo Penta set up. One friend, who just got a nice boat last year has the new 420 hp big block V-8 with Duoprop drive, which is the counter rotating props, is fast and smooth. He has it in a 25 foot custom boat. I've known him for about 10 years and after he rode in my Challenger, I thought I had him sold with a Seadoo. But, like so many of us men with wives, they do pretty much have the last say-so. I think he was almost sold on the Wake or Utopia
So, if I were going to do it, it'd be a Volvo........:cheers:
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I did give Donnie a holler so I could give you guys a picture to that motor I told you about. His boat is by Chris Craft and is listed as the Launch 25. The boat has all the options and is an awesome boat. I know, after being on the river for 25 years, it's one of a kind.
The Volvo Penta engine he choose for his boat was the 8.1 GXI big block with 420 horsepower. The engine is equipped with the Duoprop, twin counter rotating props. The boat also had other engine options of the Volvo diesel, with a maximum horsepower rating of 300 shaft horsepower or you could get it equipped with the Mercury 496 MAG HO Seacore turning out 425 PSHP.
This boat is usually custom designed to what the buyer wants, with many, many options to choose from. Depending on how you build your boat, you can get an idea of price by looking at the standard base model of $87,295 up to your own personal touch at custom design for upwards of $106,853.
I'm attaching a few pix of this boat and you can tell from the pure craftmanship in this boat, it's worth every penny.
Check out the pix, enjoy. Please feel free to hyperlink to the site for checking out all the specifications and what you can customize the boat with, to fit your taste. You can find the boat at Chris Craft Launch 25. Don't forget to link to the big block Penta Motors. I was totally amazed with this boat when my friend first showed me the pix when he first bought it.
Check out the links and please, look at my attached pix.........:cheers:
The Volvo Penta engine he choose for his boat was the 8.1 GXI big block with 420 horsepower. The engine is equipped with the Duoprop, twin counter rotating props. The boat also had other engine options of the Volvo diesel, with a maximum horsepower rating of 300 shaft horsepower or you could get it equipped with the Mercury 496 MAG HO Seacore turning out 425 PSHP.
This boat is usually custom designed to what the buyer wants, with many, many options to choose from. Depending on how you build your boat, you can get an idea of price by looking at the standard base model of $87,295 up to your own personal touch at custom design for upwards of $106,853.
I'm attaching a few pix of this boat and you can tell from the pure craftmanship in this boat, it's worth every penny.
Check out the pix, enjoy. Please feel free to hyperlink to the site for checking out all the specifications and what you can customize the boat with, to fit your taste. You can find the boat at Chris Craft Launch 25. Don't forget to link to the big block Penta Motors. I was totally amazed with this boat when my friend first showed me the pix when he first bought it.
Check out the links and please, look at my attached pix.........:cheers:
Attachments
Hmmmm. Nice, but just a little too much boat for me. :reddevil:
Sportscars..!
Yeah, and they are priced like sportscars too! I had the joy to ski behind the Mastercraft several years back. I was on a EP CompII ski and the boat made the ride the best I ever had. To do a cut and jump, you got the best pull off the turn because the boat stayed it's line.
As for the true outboard? If I were going to have one, it would be in one of those 50 foot yachts or something. I hated the big hump in the middle of the floor.....:cheers:
Yeah, and they are priced like sportscars too! I had the joy to ski behind the Mastercraft several years back. I was on a EP CompII ski and the boat made the ride the best I ever had. To do a cut and jump, you got the best pull off the turn because the boat stayed it's line.
As for the true outboard? If I were going to have one, it would be in one of those 50 foot yachts or something. I hated the big hump in the middle of the floor.....:cheers:
New boat
Check the resale value on the boat, I would look for a good used in board my self ,so many people buy boats , and don't use them, look for something with less than 300 hours. I have 1500 hours on my 93 Nautigue still runs like new . I have had good luck reselling them over the years. Resale red ,allways a good color. I like having the prop way under the boat. It's much safer if especially if you have children and do a lot of skiing and wakeboarding. Mastercraft, Malibue, Correct Craft. Resale the best. Talk to the guys that have them . Good luck with you purchase.
Check the resale value on the boat, I would look for a good used in board my self ,so many people buy boats , and don't use them, look for something with less than 300 hours. I have 1500 hours on my 93 Nautigue still runs like new . I have had good luck reselling them over the years. Resale red ,allways a good color. I like having the prop way under the boat. It's much safer if especially if you have children and do a lot of skiing and wakeboarding. Mastercraft, Malibue, Correct Craft. Resale the best. Talk to the guys that have them . Good luck with you purchase.
crisso
New Member
I am going to upset you guys.What about the new diesel motors coming out of europe.Same hp, more torque,lower revs and really good fuel consumption.Hooked up to ski boats.You run all day at less then 3 galls.an hour.In the offshore world,they sound just as good,they are a bit slower on holeshot but once on the plane,they run well over 130 mph.30 % less fuel.The funny part is they are developed in Florida.Don't get your ideas set on petrol motors because they are doing some long term test here in oz on H.P.Diesel.With the ski boats they get nearly 45% improved economy
Diesel, why not, but I have not seen them offered.
Only negative I can think of is I HATE the smell of diesel exhaust, and wouldn't want to inhale it while wakeboarding.
Only negative I can think of is I HATE the smell of diesel exhaust, and wouldn't want to inhale it while wakeboarding.
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