New to I/O's, request info

[thumpar]

There is for sure a difference. Sometimes if there is wind I have to reverse in the wrong direction and then turn around in forward because of the single prop not letting me backup and turn in the direction I want to go. My alpha did the same thing. Around here Bravo 3 and duo prop drives are pretty rare so I stuck with the B1.

 

[jkust]

I would say that the good news is that you can get an MPI (multiport fuel injection) equipped boat all the way back to 2002. They've been around long enough that you can get some excellent mid 2000's boats with today's same marine fuel injection technology for very little money. MPI in the early years of its introduction was an expensive upgrade on the smaller boats in relation to overall cost and so you don't see it as often as you do on the 20+ footers of the same era. I will add that while the 4.3 is surprisingly powerful for a v6 with its +262lbs of tq and 220hp if it is MPI, it will be outmatched with 8 adults on board and pulling a skier or at least it won't be pleasant for the skier. Of course there are a lot of variables such as altitude, prop pitch, amount of gas in the tank, and other weight considerations that can add or detract to its performance. I've seen crazier things and of course all we have to do is look at how things were done in the 80's where people regularly dealt with these issues with less hp at their disposal.

 

[Slayer315]

I know what the wind can do. Funny story, I knew the previous owner and had operated my current boat prior to even thinking I would buy it. After buying it, family took it to a local lake. Luckily we were literally the only ones on the lake. It was spring, and the weather turned quick. It took me about an hour to get that dang thing on the trailer. Obviously better at it now, but I'm sure that was quite the sight, me fighting the wind and going everywhere except where I wanted to go.

 

[keith2k455]

Guys, I'm not questioning that a difference exists, I believe you. Ive never operated anything other than alpha, so I have no idea what I'm missing.

The better question is, are you guys stating the Bravo 3 is so much better that he should wait for one and not buy an alpha? I ask like this because my experience showed that would be a mighty long wait. I'm curious if the Bravo 3 is so superior that it is worth waiting a season to get one. I can just say that when I was looking, the B3 boats were few and disappeared fast. If dual prop is that important slayer should investigate local Volvo service abilities to open more possibilities.

 

[thumpar]

Guys, I'm not questioning that a difference exists, I believe you. Ive never operated anything other than alpha, so I have no idea what I'm missing.

The better question is, are you guys stating the Bravo 3 is so much better that he should wait for one and not buy an alpha? I ask like this because my experience showed that would be a mighty long wait. I'm curious if the Bravo 3 is so superior that it is worth waiting a season to get one. I can just say that when I was looking, the B3 boats were few and disappeared fast. If dual prop is that important slayer should investigate local Volvo service abilities to open more possibilities.

Not saying that he should hold out for a B3 but there is a difference. Even if he found a B1 I would jump on it. The shifting is silky smooth over the Alpha. I am not saying there is anything wrong with an Alpha I just prefer the Bravo drives.

 

[Slayer315]

Not saying that he should hold out for a B3 but there is a difference. Even if he found a B1 I would jump on it. The shifting is silky smooth over the Alpha. I am not saying there is anything wrong with an Alpha I just prefer the Bravo drives.

So what I'm getting is the Alpha works, but is the entry level model. If it came down to 2 equal boats, Bravo would be a better choice over Alpha?

 

[thumpar]

So what I'm getting is the Alpha works, but is the entry level model. If it came down to 2 equal boats, Bravo would be a better choice over Alpha?

The Bravo is the big brother to the Alpha. It also has the cone clutch. Alphas are rated for 300hp. The Bravo is rated for 600hp I think. When I came across my boat for sale I loved the Bravo 1/5.7l EFI package and it is a great boat. You really don't get much advantage having a Bravo with this setup but the shifting and a little more bullet proof but some might argue that the weight increase doesn't make up for it. It was a Bravo 3 I would definitely jump on it.

 

[keith2k455]

I guess this is an instance where my thoughts took on different meaning when they left my head. Yes, the alpha drive is better, IF you find one that meets your criteria, buy it quickly. Take mine and Thumpars boats, if his was for sale when I bought mine I would have chosen it over mine. The only differences are the power pack and a seat.

 

[Slayer315]

So I have gained alot of useful information in this thread. Is there any other bits of knowledge about engine and drives i should think about when looking for a new boat?

 

[thumpar]

So I have gained alot of useful information in this thread. Is there any other bits of knowledge about engine and drives i should think about when looking for a new boat?

Get records if you can. I have all maintenance records going back to 2002 on my boat.

 

[Slayer315]

Get records if you can. I have all maintenance records going back to 2002 on my boat.

Yes, I couldn't agree with you more. I know the previous owner of my boat, and have all records since new. But......... What are the chances of being able to get records? Is it like buying a used car? What I mean is typically, when you buy a used car, most if not all of its records vanish. Sometimes you can get lucky and they come with. At least for me this is not normally the case. So do you guys find that normally owners have records to pass along with boat?

 

[Slayer315]

So I don't know if it's ok to do this, but here is a boat I have been looking at. I like the looks/ style/ amenities and seems to be a good boat. I have not seen it in person, only on the interweb. I see it has the Volvo-penta. I am not ready to buy today, this is just an example of what I am looking at. Any suggestions or comments on this engine and drive?

http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/bod/4836037386.html

 

[keith2k455]

In my area, a Volvo can get serviced pretty easily, so I have no reservations about them. You need to make sure you have a reputable shop though.

 

[JASinIL2006]

So I don't know if it's ok to do this, but here is a boat I have been looking at. I like the looks/ style/ amenities and seems to be a good boat. I have not seen it in person, only on the interweb. I see it has the Volvo-penta. I am not ready to buy today, this is just an example of what I am looking at. Any suggestions or comments on this engine and drive?

http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/bod/4836037386.html

Looks like a nice boat!

 

[Slayer315]

In my area, a Volvo can get serviced pretty easily, so I have no reservations about them. You need to make sure you have a reputable shop though.

The shop I currently use for my outboard also works on inboards. I believe he will work on merc or Volvo. Are inboards specialized to the point where I would need to find someone who only works on one or the other? My current shop does good work, and has reasonable prices.

 

[thumpar]

The shop I currently use for my outboard also works on inboards. I believe he will work on merc or Volvo. Are inboards specialized to the point where I would need to find someone who only works on one or the other? My current shop does good work, and has reasonable prices.

Mercruiser shops are pretty much everywhere. Volvo shops are harder to find but it just depends on where you are. If you don't work on your own stuff make sure you have a Volvo shop around you before buying. I am not saying there is anything wrong with a Volvo but check first.

 

[Slayer315]

I will follow up and see if any Volvo shops around. On a different note, I was discussing options I have seen in local boats for sale. It was actually with the previous owner of my current boat. He told me a story about a boat I found yesterday on Craigslist. It's a 2004 glastron 195sx with a 5.0. I was thinking should/ could be a decent boat. He was telling me that he had considered and looked at a similar boat. He ended up not buying cuz apparently this setup gets "squirrly". Light boat with lots of power. Any insight?

 

[tpenfield]

Google "chine walking" . . .

Light boats with ample power and flatter V hulls have a tendency to do this 'dance' . . . Not a good thing to experience. Probably the closest thing like it in an automobile would be hydro planing, proceeded by a wipe out.

 

[thumpar]

I don't think a Glastron 195 with 5.0 is going to come close to chine walking.

 

[Slayer315]

I don't think a Glastron 195 with 5.0 is going to come close to chine walking.

I just watched chine walking on Youtube. That's does not look like fun. Is that typically a high speed issue? What causes that to happen? Can it be prevented?