Volvo Penta vs Mercruiser?

[JAG4AU]

Are there any boat guys out there? I am looking for a used runabout, and was wandering if there was any advantages/disadvantages with each of these drivetrains. Thanks

[SpiritOne]

Well it all depends on what type of outdrive you are looking at, how big the engine driving it is, and how big a boat you want to push. All of these factors will affect your gallon/per hour fuel consumption.

Really, between comparable outdrives, the Penta and Mercruiser are both very good drive units. Both can be serviced just about anywhere you go, and both will get your boat where you need to go.

I am more familiar with Mercruiser simply because thats what I have on my Crownline. I have a 192Bowrider with a 220HP 5.0L engine and the Alpha Mercruiser outdrive. Single Prop. For a 20' boat, I can cruise at 30-35, and use a moderate amount of fuel. My top end is around 53-54 depending on drag and the water (note this is with a 21 pitch prop).

There are two types of Mercruiser Bravo outdrives, the Bravo 1 and the Bravo 3. Both have 2 props on them that counter-rotate, they give an insane amount of hole-shot speed (hole-shot is defined at take off speed, or off the line speed) and increase your top end by quite a bit too. They usually are mated to higher end engines though, and thus use up quite a bit more fuel. The original Bravo 1 has heat issues, so I would stay clear of it, it requires you to install a drive sprayer, a device that sprays water on to the top of the drive unit to help keep it cool. The Bravo 3 however runs cooler than my Alpha outdrive and is exceptionally efficient.

The Volvo Penta has several outdrive offerings as well, including a dual prop counter-rotating design just like the Mercruiser, but I have not heard of any heat issues with any version of theirs.

Which ever one you decide to go with, just remember than your outdrive choice is just one of many decisions that will effect your boats performance. You have your engine size, boat size, prop pitch, prop type (aluminum or Stainless, stainless is better but more expensive), and outdrive configuration (single prop or two).

does any of this help, or just confuse you more?

[JAG4AU]

mostly confuses me. I am looking at buying just a 18 to 19' runabout with a 4.3 liter engine. Just something to ride around the lake on, ski, and tube behind. Most of the used boats I see on the internet have one of the two engines, so I was trying to compare. You did help me alot, but still confusing.

Thanks!!

[crash519]

They are both good outdrives as long as everything has been maintained properly. Bad or no maintainance will cost you lots down the road. I bought a 1995 boat back in August that had been garaged for several years. I ended up making one trip before I pulled the outdrive and replaced the gimbal bearing, seal, u-joints and bellows. The original owner had a new bellows kit installed not long before he quit using it, but evidently they didn't get it sealed good and lots of old water just sat in there rusting everything. I did all the work myself for around $200 in parts including an engine alignment tool I had to order since all the mechanics around here are thieves in my opinion.

Point is, take it and get it looked at by a good mechanic. They normally have a flat fee they charge for inspections and it's well worth it in my opinion.

As to Volvo Penta vs. Mercruiser, either is fine. Neither is perfect, but ones not better than the other. They actually have a lot of interchangable parts between them. If it's a really old boat, they both had some issues but probably won't have the original outdrive anymore. Most of those have been rebuilt unless it's a really low hour boat.

[Bullwinkle]

Look at the rest of the boat much closer. Most boats have design flaws that ruin the boat over time if it's used a lot.

I would ask what to look for here: www.thehulltruth.com

[eurohazard]

^ Good advice. I have a Volvo Penta with my boat, but either is available, and I would have bought either one too. For some reason though, the Volvo Penta 4.3's are rated 5 hp more (mine is 225 hp fuel injected) vs. Mercruiser 4.3's (220 hp FI). Yet all the carb 4.3's are 190 hp.

[Mrhavasu]

The bravo 1 and 3 are not the same. The bravo 3 is the twin prop model, the bravo 1 is the single. In your case, all this does not matter. With a v-6 mercruiser you cannot get the bravo drive, it will be the alpha which is fine. I have a 94 volvo duo prop and it has been pretty good. The newer volvo/omc stuff is not as good as the old stuff. I would personally buy a mercury on my next boat. Parts are much easier to get on a mercruiser and they outsell volvo by a large margin, also easier to get service on a mercruiser and it will cost you less money. PM me if you need more info.
Terry

[Optimist]

From my somewhat dated knowledge of both Volvo’s were usually more reliable & Merc for top end. Volvo would suffer blowout earlier “push-up instead of forward“ & depending on chine a greater advantage toward walking “instability“. Merc parts are cheaper & easier to come by.

[wanatitan]

I have a 1987 21 foot Sea Ray cuddy cabin. I have the 4.3 V6 engine
My out drive is the alpha one Merc. Ive not had any issues with it yet.
Its no speed demond by any means. My top speed is about 40mph, but very very reliable, and not bad on gas as far as boats go. I LOVE this boat.

[vipzach]

The biggest thing I would suggest to stay awat from are the old OMC stringer drivers!!! POS!!!!

I am a big fan of merc. My family has always had merc stuff, of course their plant is here in Oklahoma too!

Both drives are good drives though! One thing to know about the alpha drives, is that they use a dog clutch. When you move from nuetral to forward, do it quickly, not slowly or you will tear the clutch up! You will feel and hear it "clunk" into gear. The volve drives don't use the same type of clutch.

The big thing to look at when looking at used boats is maintenance records. If it wasn't kept up, it will cost you! I can give you lots of things to watch for on mercs, but not volvos. Don't buy the boat without a good long test drive!! Get it on plane from a dead stop, run it WOT for awhile and vary the speeds the whole time you test drive it. Stop the boat, kill the engine and restart it.....a couple times. Have a good boat shop inspect it too!!

You know what BOAT stand for right?????? Bust Out Another Thousand!!!

If you have questions, please ask!!!! Boats are alot of fun!!!!

[Riverratt]

For the boat and engine size you are looking at the choice will be a Mercruiser Alpha One or a Volvo Penta SX outdrive. The SX drive is much better then the Alpha. The SX drive has a cone clutch vs. a dog clutch for the Alpha. The cone clutch will shift much smoother. Also the Alpha has the seawater pump in the outdrive whereas the SX has it mounted on the engine. much easier to service the engine mounted pump. Either drive will provide years of dependable service.

[mneal]

VP SX drives are heads and shoulders above the Alpha Mercruiser units, they are comparable to the Bravo series. I have owned both and do a ton of wake boarding. (~150-200hrs per year on the boat) and the Alpha stuff would not hold up, have had a SX drive for 5 yrs no worries.