Which one is better, easier to find, or has good part support. Volvo or bravoIII.
In 2006, originally looked for a Volvo BBC and Duo-Prop combination. Never found one.
Then we had a big windstorm and a wind damaged 98 24ft Bayliner (454/BIII) showed up on Craigslist in Seattle. At the time I was looking at a 2004 300 (prop) hp 5.7 MPI Mercruiser Bravo I Closed cooled with about 400 hrs of salt water use. A Merc dealer up north had it sitting on the floor ready to install
The owner wanted $7500 and turned down my $6000 offer for it. I was about to offer $6500 when the 97 454/BIII appeared (I offered $5000 and got it)
The boat would have likely performed OK (at least as good as with the 460) with the 300(propshaft) HP 5.7MPI+B1 I was "that-close" to buying it and didn't know the BIII would be a better choice.......(in fact, I was apprehensive about getting a BIII because I thought I would lose a LOT of top speed)
Right after I bought the package, a newer 425hp 496/BIII (closed cooled, 80hrs since new) showed up on Craigslist for $8000.
Looking back, I should have bought it because I could have probably easily sold the 97 454/BIII for about $7000+
I saw these deals over about a 6-8 month period.
But even though I saw similar deals,
I never saw a Volvo package for sale used and I looked for quite some time.
Bottom line, for every Volvo powered boat out there, there's probably 10 times more Mercruiser boats (and parts etc) . So the chances of finding a Mercruiser package seems more likely.
Knowing what I know now, I would be ok with a 300HP 5.7 or a 320HP 6.2L engine but I would definitely want a Bravo III (or Duo-Prop if Volvo) . A Bravo I might be ok but you already know what the hole-shot feels like with a single prop drive.
If you find a 300+ Prop HP Volvo Duo-prop and the price is right don't hesitate to get it.
By the way, the original 454/Alpha that was installed in the 1987 Four Winns Liberator was rated at 330 crankshaft HP (I think 88 with the 454 was a Bravo) . The OMC 460 was rated at 340 (crankshaft) hp.
Not sure what year it all changed from crankshaft HP to propshaft HP but my 1997 454 is rated at 300 PROPSHAFT HP
I suspect that both the older 454 Alpha and 460 Cobra were around 300 Prop HP plus or minus a few.
Good luck "hunting"!
Rick