Looking to upgrade my boat. What outdrive should I be looking for ?

[Redrig]

Hello all,

I currently have a 17 footer 77 OMC electric with a Ford 302. I recently had twins and that puts my family to 6 now, So I will definately be needing to upgrade to a larger boat in the next couple of years. proabably a 22 ft cuddy or soemthing like that. I have started shopping around the local classifieds and so forth.

I wont be buying anything new and based on my budget, I will probably be looking at a 1980's-1990's used boat. I dont want to go OMC again since they are out of biz.

I have found several boats that would suffice for my needs but I dont know anything about other outdrives like Merc or Volvo. Are there any sepcific models that I should avoid, or be looking for ? I know that either Merc or Volvo will probably be a much better experience than my old electric shift.

I have time on my side and can afford to be a little picky, I know that this is a very loaded question.
If you were looking for a boat in that year range. What would you be trying to find ?

Thanks much.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Looking to upgrade my boat. What outdrive should I be looking for ?

Are there any sepcific models that I should avoid, or be looking for ? I know that either Merc or Volvo will probably be a much better experience than my old electric shift.

Ayuh,.... 'bout anything newer than the mid-80s is pretty Safe....

Don't buy a Merc. 470 motor, or an OMC anything...

 

[Struc]

Re: Looking to upgrade my boat. What outdrive should I be looking for ?

1988+ merc based 4.3l or 5.7l boat.

Just be sure to check VERY WELL for rot before getting yourself in trouble.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Looking to upgrade my boat. What outdrive should I be looking for ?

go for an outBOARD instead of an outDRIVE

 

[86 century]

Re: Looking to upgrade my boat. What outdrive should I be looking for ?

I would agrea with home cookin exept for the youngns mine did not like all the noise.

I will go ahead and put in a vote for direct or v drive.

 

[billbayliner]

Re: Looking to upgrade my boat. What outdrive should I be looking for ?

If you were looking for a boat in that year range. What would you be trying to find ?

With a family of six, I'd be looking at a minimum of 24 foot and with a Volvo Penta drive. The VP takes you away from dog clutch gear engagement and all of the shift assist issues that can be an issue.

 

[Redrig]

Re: Looking to upgrade my boat. What outdrive should I be looking for ?

Thanks for all of the replys thus far gentleman, It really helps.

Ayuh,.... 'bout anything newer than the mid-80s is pretty Safe....

Don't buy a Merc. 470 motor, or an OMC anything...

Good to know,and yes OMC is off the table.

go for an outBOARD instead of an outDRIVE

I cant seem to find any in the size of boat that I am looking for.

With a family of six, I'd be looking at a minimum of 24 foot and with a Volvo Penta drive. The VP takes you away from dog clutch gear engagement and all of the shift assist issues that can be an issue.

I have been reading up on the VP's and hear really good things. Do the older ones (mid 80's) have any of the problems that you are referring to, or are all VP's shifting mechanism the same ?

 

[RogersJetboat454]

Re: Looking to upgrade my boat. What outdrive should I be looking for ?

I have been reading up on the VP's and hear really good things. Do the older ones (mid 80's) have any of the problems that you are referring to, or are all VP's shifting mechanism the same ?

As far as I know, Volvo has always used smooth shifting cone clutches, and models from the 80's are no exception. Though the 270 and most of the 280 drives of this era lack power trim, (which is a very handy feature to have). They are arguably one of the most bullet proof drives ever produced.

 

[billbayliner]

Re: Looking to upgrade my boat. What outdrive should I be looking for ?

I have been reading up on the VP's and hear really good things. Do the older ones (mid 80's) have any of the problems that you are referring to, or are all VP's shifting mechanism the same ?

The cone clutch engagement style is similar with all of the Volvo Pentas.
They were the first to use the cone clutch and to my knowledge, they have never used dog clutch engagement, which means that they've never required the shift assist or shift interrupt system. Just nice smooth engagement and disengagement.
There is a 280 P/T but it would be rare to find one. There was also a 270 and 280 T drive, but you'd want to stay away from that drive.
You'd need to get into the 290 for a good P/T, or the C and later drives to have one of the better systems w/out the reverse latch unit.
All are good and strong and very user friendly to service.
If you stay with the Volvos before the SX and DPS, you won't have the issues that come with the gimbal system drives.

 

[Redrig]

Re: Looking to upgrade my boat. What outdrive should I be looking for ?

Bill, when you say P/T drive, are you talking about power trim? that would make the other ones just have tilt right?