5.8L Mercruiser with Vovo Penta duo-prop??

[rock doc]

Considering a new to me boat:

1996 24' Celebrity Cuddy Cabin
5.8 fsi Mercruiser
Approx. 350 hrs
hydraulic trim tabs

Based on the pictures in the ad it looks like a well cared for boat. I suspect it may have been used in salt water but will confirm with the seller. I am confused by the Mercruiser motor being matched to the penta drive (which is only a few years old)- is this common? Is the 5.8l motor a good motor - I hear parts may be fairly scarce.

We currently have a 1990 21' cuddy with a 4.3. We do a lot of water sports so we need to be able to pull a skier on a slalom ski.

Thoughts? Is this potentially a good reliable setup for our family?

 

[Bondo]

Re: 5.8L Mercruiser with Vovo Penta duo-prop??

Considering a new to me boat:

1996 24' Celebrity Cuddy Cabin
5.8 fsi Mercruiser
Approx. 350 hrs
hydraulic trim tabs

Based on the pictures in the ad it looks like a well cared for boat. I suspect it may have been used in salt water but will confirm with the seller. I am confused by the Mercruiser motor being matched to the penta drive (which is only a few years old)- is this common? Is the 5.8l motor a good motor - I hear parts may be fairly scarce.

We currently have a 1990 21' cuddy with a 4.3. We do a lot of water sports so we need to be able to pull a skier on a slalom ski.

Thoughts? Is this potentially a good reliable setup for our family?

Ayuh,.... Mercruiser hasn't used the 5.8l Ford since the 1970s,....

I suspect the Seller has No clue as to what he's got,...

'n what's a fsi,..??

 

[garbageguy]

Re: 5.8L Mercruiser with Vovo Penta duo-prop??

Lots of water sports, especially slalom skiing, off a 24 ft cuddy sounds like not the greatest for the skiier, but great for those selling fuel. Just a thought.

 

[rock doc]

Re: 5.8L Mercruiser with Vovo Penta duo-prop??

I noticed the "fsi" - thought perhaps it was a volvo abbreviation and the owner had mixed up the make of their engine. Not a good sign when the owner does not know the basics about their boat.

Thank-you for the warning on the fuel too. While we are not pros, we typically tow a few tubes and skiers while we are out. I enjoy keeping the family active on the water.

Perhaps I should keep looking....guess I got caught up in the moment. Really nice looking boat. I was also considering a 1997 Regal 23' with a 5.7l mercruiser I/O - we will cross that off the list too.

Is our 21' on the upper limit for size for water sports?

 

[thumpar]

Re: 5.8L Mercruiser with Vovo Penta duo-prop??

The 5.8 FSI is Volvo motor. We just bought our boat and after looking for a couple months saw lots of these mistakes. I think some people just think an I/O is called a Mercruiser.

As for water sports it depends on the size, motor and hull. There are wakeboard boats that get into the mid 20' range and do just fine because the motor is big enough and the hull is designed for that. Most cuddies that big are more designed for cruising and can be heavy. We looked at a 21' (10" longer than the boat we got) cuddy Crownline. It weighs 800lbs heavier and is a massive boat. You need a ladder to get in it when on the trailer. I would stick in the mid 20' range in a bow rider with 5.7l Merc or Volvo equivalent. If you want a cuddy stick with the one you have or just go newer in the same size. Also look for fuel injection. I am guessing your current boat is carbed. Nothing wrong with a carb but I love the fuel injection now that I have it.

 

[rock doc]

Re: 5.8L Mercruiser with Vovo Penta duo-prop??

Thanks for you input thumpar.

I am pretty worried about the fuel costs to pull tubes and skiers with a 24' boat/5.8l. I'll take your advice and stick with something in the 19-22' range. Those Celebrity 230 Status Cuddy Cabin's sure look nice though. I like the accessibility of the engine compartment too. My Larson is awful to work on - very tight fit.

 

[Maclin]

Re: 5.8L Mercruiser with Vovo Penta duo-prop??

The "5.8L merCruiser with Volvo Penta Duoprop" reminded me of a conversation I had on a flight one time with a nice lady. We got to talking about vehicles and she mentoned that her husband was ready for a new truck, their family preference seemed to be with Fords. I mentioned I had just got a new Dodge Ram 1500 Sport, and she said that she would like to get him a Ford Ram 1500 Sport because he deserved a nice one. I left it at that, just gave me a chuckle inside

About fuel economy, bigger heavier boats need more cubes, aka HP, and Alas, HP needs care and feeding, sigh...

 

[Walt T]

Re: 5.8L Mercruiser with Vovo Penta duo-prop??

Lots of people have very nice well cared for boats and have no idea what engine or drive they have. I've worked on doctors and lawyers boats that I'd buy in a second and these guys don't even know what engine is in their truck. Don't necessarily hold lack of knowledge against the seller. Like you say it looks to be well cared for...

I tow people around in my 22' cuddy, I don't think I'd want to do it in a bigger boat, just my opinion.

 

[rock doc]

Re: 5.8L Mercruiser with Vovo Penta duo-prop??

Thanks for your input Walt T. I'd like to try a few different boat before I make my next purchase. I have limited experience with anything other than my boat.