25ohp + Bravo III - Seacore or not

[Tafflad]

Had been looking at options for new boat spec. Now centered on Merrcuiser 250hp with Bravo III
I had liked idea of Volvo with freshwater cooling as standard, as I boat 100% in salt water ... but nearest Volvo dealer is 120 mile round trip. (Local boat dealers who sell boats with Volvo advise they can opnly provide warranty work on boats they sold)
I do not moor, this is trailered to each use.

To 'add' freshwater cooling it's ~$1,500 is this worth it for a boat that spends around 4Hrs in the water once a week in the season.(then flushed)

Alternative is to order SeaCore spec, but I don't have price for that yet - assume around $2.200 extra, but that includes freshwater cooling.

Am I wasting good money doing this for a boat that does not sit in salt water in a marina, assuming Mercathode etc. only really come into play on moorings as Mercury advise it does not work in fast moving water.


Want to get right decision after all the Bravo III corrosion issues.

 

[Scott06]

Fresh water cooling will not affect the bravo iii corrosion in any way. My friend with bravo iii had some corrosion and added a second mercathode (in addition to one under the transom housing) with two pucks on the transom to cure his issues. Not an expensive kit if you order new boat you can probably get them to add a second mercathode kit at deal time

 

[Tafflad]

Its not just the Bravo II though ... looking the whole package .. and whether Fresh Water Cooling or SeaCore is worth having for a non moored up boat.

 

[tpenfield]

I think the SeaCore option is around $5K :noidea: If you are going to be in salt water at all, I would recommend having closed cooling. Flushing is not the best answer to preserving the engine internal cooling system. Closed cooling is better.

Not sure if you can get closed cooling on the Merc 250 as a stand-alone option, but worth looking into. If not, I'd go with the SeaCore option.

 

[Tafflad]

Yep been given the price for adding closed cooling ... ~$1,500