MerCruiser vs Volvo comparison

[deanobeano]

I'm new to the stern drive/inboard/outboard arena and shopping for a used 16-20 ft bowrider of some sort. I'm interested in your experience and/or comments on quality/durability/reliability/performance of the MerCruiser line vs the Volvo line, for example they both make a 130HP combo. i appreciate any feedback you have to offer.

 

[tazrig]

Re: MerCruiser vs Volvo comparison

Both are good but I tend to like the V.P. drive a little better, they don't seem to break as often. However with that said, the important thing is do you have authorized dealers for either in your area? If so go with what you have support for.

^^^+1 I've always been a Mercruiser guy. In fact I just re-powered with 2 more. That being said... Although most if not all of each engine brand start out life as a GM block (some older models were Fords) and then put on their own electronics and pumps I suspect the Volvo may be a better design. The only reason I didn't give them a try this time around was because the parts are a little pricier and there are way more boat yards and mechanics who work on Mercs than Volvos at least around here. Our season is only 5 months give or take so I went with the system that would probably allow me the most time out on the water. More mechanics + better supply of parts = faster repair times, less down time and more time out on the water. Either way you won't go wrong with most choices from either brand. Post back though before you buy anything as there are models and years of each you will want to stay away from or at least better understand before buying.

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: MerCruiser vs Volvo comparison

Both are fine - I've had both. I prefer the Merc for the same reasons above, more qualified mechanics, part availability and price.

 

[Mason78]

Re: MerCruiser vs Volvo comparison

I have only owned 1 boat and it is a Merc. I Have been happy with it so far.

Most of the marine mechanics around me seem to be happy to work on either a Merc or Volvo.

 

[JimMH]

Re: MerCruiser vs Volvo comparison

I have my third Volvo Penta powered boat. All have had GM blocks, the first two were 4.3 V6 and now I have a 5.0 fuel injected model. I have been very pleased with the performance of each. While it is true that you will find more Merc mechanics as there are many more of them than VP's around. I am fortunate that in this area there are pretty much an equal number of mechanics for both. You should be happy either way you go. Both power companies make a quaility product. Welcome to iboats!

 

[jestor68]

Re: MerCruiser vs Volvo comparison

Mercruiser is number one for a reason.

 

[JoLin]

Re: MerCruiser vs Volvo comparison

I'm on my second boat with the V-P SX drive and I've liked them both. The first boat was the duo-prop version and I thought it was fantastic.

That said, I wouldn't turn away from a boat I liked if it had a Merc in it.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: MerCruiser vs Volvo comparison

The motor's are basically the same some small variations but the same. The drive's are much different and the Volvo drive is by far a better drive than the merc gen2. A merc drive (alpha) is good for 300 hp and the Volvo is good for 400 then there's the clutch..no comparison

With that said both work very well and are very good system's when taken care of.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: MerCruiser vs Volvo comparison

The motor's are basically the same some small variations but the same. The drive's are much different and the Volvo drive is by far a better drive than the merc gen2. A merc drive (alpha) is good for 300 hp and the Volvo is good for 400 then there's the clutch..no comparison

With that said both work very well and are very good system's when taken care of.

It's really an apples/oranges comparison.

New Volvo replacement drives cost about 2x what a new Alpha costs. New Bravo drives compare a little more closely. AND if you compare an SEI drive there's no comparison to either Merc(Alpha) or Volvo!

Volvo Penta Outdrives

Alpha One, Mercruiser sterndrives and sterndrive information

For the most part, similar boats with either drive are approx the same cost to buy (new).

The possibly higher cost or difficulty finding parts for fixing a Volvo powered boat comes when you start scrounging parts from after-market or "used" sources such as eBay, craigslist, boat-trader etc....... (assuming you're avoiding the seemingly "gold-plated" new parts)

There's simply a larger supply of used and after market parts out there (in the US) for Mercruiser than for Volvo.

OTOH, if they never break, there'd be no problem!

btw, The original "Volvos" were essentially designed at Kiekhaefer (Mercury) Corporation and the SX's were essentially designed by OMC (jointly with Volvo as the saying goes) but Charlie Strang CEO of OMC (and originally from Kiekhaefer Corporation) was on top of all that!

All roads point back to Kiekhaefer as it were! Stern Drive The Invention of the Stern Drive

 

[Don S]

Re: MerCruiser vs Volvo comparison

Mercruiser is number one for a reason.

Yes, and that reason is they are owned by Brunswick. That just happens to also own a lot of the boat manufacturers.
Kind of hard to top that when you only sell engines and drives.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: MerCruiser vs Volvo comparison

Yes, and that reason is they are owned by Brunswick. That just happens to also own a lot of the boat manufacturers.
Kind of hard to top that when you only sell engines and drives.

And, you can BET, that if Brunswick owned Volvo Penta Marine, All those boats would come "standard" with Volvos!

 

[Maclin]

Re: MerCruiser vs Volvo comparison

How old or new of a boat are you looking at?

 

[deanobeano]

Re: MerCruiser vs Volvo comparison

thanks everyone for your thoughts. i have found and am probably buying a 1996 Searay 175 18 ft bow rider with the Merc 4.3LX Gen+ engine (190 HP). has new risers & manifolds. excellent condition, clean, fiberglass no cracks or bubbles at all, you could drink the bilge water & eat off the engine! sea trial today. they claim it'll do 45-50 mph, that'd be a sweet ride. $6500 for boat & trailer.

 

[tazrig]

Re: MerCruiser vs Volvo comparison

Sounds good all the way around. 2 last suggestions though. You might want to spend a couple hundred bucks and have a professional marine survey done unless you are absolutely confident in your ability to know what to look for such as iffy electrical systems, rot in the deck or stringers which you can't see with the eye, and potential problems with the engine such as compression. This boat may be a cream puff or one that is nothing more than a problem boat that was detailed, (engine steam cleaned to look new, bilge cleaned to hide the oil leak from a front or main seal, outdrive waxed or painted to hide the corrosion, electrical system patched up with the wrong gage wires just to get it through the test drive etc. I don't mean to sound negative I just want to make sure you are getting the best possible boat for your money. If you're not 100% sure of what to look for and don't want to get a surveyor at least try to find a friend who is knowledgeable and bring him/her along. Either way I hope it turns out to be the cream puff you want it to be. and congratulations in advance!:happy: