Merc vs. Volvo - best punch for the buck...

andy1canada

andy1canada

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Feb 2, 2007
Messages
107
Howdy,

I sort of threw this out in another thread but I think the question would stand better on its own. I thought I was set on a new Merc 4.3/MPI/FWC/ Alpha setup, but after a phone conversation with the son of the guy who built my boat in 80', now I'm not so sure. He says he can put a new Volvo CXi (injected)/Duoprop in my boat for about the same money I'm looking at for the Merc system.

Adding further to my woes, another salesman at a reputable service outfit says that right now Volvo is offering two S.S. props (free/$1800 value) with the Duoprop leg.

Decisions, decisions.

Maybe some of you folks could wade in with your opinions from past/present experiances.

Which way? Volvo...Merc?

Thanks to all for your time and trouble!

Cheers,
Terry
 
superpop

superpop

Master Chief Petty Officer
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Mar 5, 2006
Messages
869
Re: Merc vs. Volvo - best punch for the buck...

Volvo all day every day. With the exception of common Parts at the local Boaters World, Volvo wins hands down. Look at the construction of the drive. Much easier to maintain for the average DIY person. Also if you can get a duoprop for the cost of a single screw Merc than it is really a no brainer. The motors are the same essentially but the drive is totally different between the too and no contest between a Merc Alpha series and a DP by Volvo.
 
M

mtnrat

Chief Petty Officer
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Jul 29, 2006
Messages
419
Re: Merc vs. Volvo - best punch for the buck...

Ditto on the duoprop. A no brainer in my books.
 
bruceb58

bruceb58

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30,548
Re: Merc vs. Volvo - best punch for the buck...

That isn't even close...Volvo!
 
T

tie_one_on

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Oct 27, 2003
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276
Re: Merc vs. Volvo - best punch for the buck...

Vovlo by a l o n g shot.
 
tommays

tommays

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Jul 4, 2004
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Re: Merc vs. Volvo - best punch for the buck...

I would say yes just because of the duo-prop :) Unless you ding a lot of props :(




Tommays
 
RubberFrog

RubberFrog

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4,268
Re: Merc vs. Volvo - best punch for the buck...

tommays said:
Unless you ding a lot of props :(

Tommays
Click to expand...

You don't plan on dinging $1800 worth of props, do you?
 
andy1canada

andy1canada

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Feb 2, 2007
Messages
107
Re: Merc vs. Volvo - best punch for the buck...

Howdy!

Thanks Dudes!

Guess I'm gonna' have a serious look at Volvo now.

I'll keep ya posted on the proceedings and when I get'er done, hopefully I can post some pics of her. She's a gorgeous old boat with an awesome rough-water hull; one of about 150 built.

I can't wait to get her out!

Thanks again for your time and trouble!

Cheers,
Terry
 
QC

QC

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Mar 22, 2005
Messages
22,783
Re: Merc vs. Volvo - best punch for the buck...

RubberFrog said:
You don't plan on dinging $1800 worth of props, do you?
Click to expand...
Depending on where you boat you do. This was my first thought, although I am firmly in the Volvo camp as well. Better drive vs. the Alpha. Duoprop's also make a difference with low speed wander, hole shot and there is no prop torque to overcome . . .
 
1

1730V

Chief Petty Officer
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Feb 14, 2004
Messages
563
Re: Merc vs. Volvo - best punch for the buck...

I have a Bravo III behind a 7.4L.

The Bravo III is a dual prop. I cannot say enough about the nice handling. The Mercruiser system is very similar to the Volvo. Nice shifting nice handling. I've owned both. It all depends on the dealer you are working with. Stick with a dealer you trust.
 
bruceb58

bruceb58

Supreme Mariner
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Mar 5, 2006
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30,548
Re: Merc vs. Volvo - best punch for the buck...

If its a Bravo III vs the Volvo DuoProp, then it is more of a tossup. Alpha vs Volvo DuoProp for the same price is a different story.
 
FreeBeeTony

FreeBeeTony

Captain
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May 15, 2002
Messages
3,991
Re: Merc vs. Volvo - best punch for the buck...

Just curious............what type of boat is it?

How much HP are the VP's rated for as compared to the Merc's?
 
W

wvit1001

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 10, 2006
Messages
157
Re: Merc vs. Volvo - best punch for the buck...

The duo prop will create more drag, heavier, and not be as fast as the merc. The alpha is plenty strong enough for a 4.3 motor.
 
bruceb58

bruceb58

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Re: Merc vs. Volvo - best punch for the buck...

Actually, the Duoprop is more efficient than a single prop so will be faster out of the hole and top end will be very similar. Fuel economy will also be better with the Duoprop.

Also, Alpha has a dog clutch...Volvo has a cone clutch.
 
Scaaty

Scaaty

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Re: Merc vs. Volvo - best punch for the buck...

Volvo hands down. And if the silly notion of a dinged prop is in your future, buy a sailboat. Anyone price a Merc prop lately? They aint giving them away for free either!
 
f_inscreenname

f_inscreenname

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Aug 23, 2001
Messages
2,591
Re: Merc vs. Volvo - best punch for the buck...

Just spent a ton of money on that box alone just so I can keep my old Volvo 270 on the back of my boat when I install my new 454 this spring. I have had more then one chance to buy a Alpha and passed on it just as many times and thats with me having a 270. A Alpha would never have a chance against a DP in my book.
volvoboxyx8.jpg

Whats in the box? A new bellhousing kit from Volvo.
 
andy1canada

andy1canada

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Feb 2, 2007
Messages
107
Re: Merc vs. Volvo - best punch for the buck...

Howdy...

Freebee; the boat is a Zeta. They were built in Vancouver, BC (the real Vancouver) from 1972 into the early 80's; the bulk of them - 19' and 24 footer's from 1976 to 1982. When Sangster boats was sold in 1972 (then folded three yrs. later) Mike Hutcheson, who worked for Sangster and married his Daughter, then started Zeta Boats. The majority of Zeta's built are still in service today and command premium dollars on the used boat market; a testament to their sturdy 'over-built' construction and appealing lines. Am I starting to sound like a friggin' salesman here?

My Zeta 19/cuddy weighs in at about 3100/lbs. dry.

Here's a web address for an interesting article from 2004 concerning the Volvo vs. Merc thing; sorry I couldn't post it as a click on link as I'm not sure how to do that here. Maybe you could copy paste it or something.

http://www.trailerboats.com/output.cfm?id=945721

Certainly, I'm thinkin' serious bout' the Volvo; but after being quoted about $14/k from my mechanic dude for the Merc 4.3/MPI/Alpha and then receiving a quote from a reputable marine outfit here in Victoria, I'm not so sure.

They're talkin' $20/K for the Volvo!

Yikes!

f-in screename... what the hell is that big silver-ball in your garage?

Cheers,
Terry
 
Don S

Don S

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Aug 31, 2004
Messages
62,321
Re: Merc vs. Volvo - best punch for the buck...

A Merc Alpha is nothing more than a cheap "Get By" outdrive till you can do it right with a Volvo DP.

BTW, A Cadilac also costs more than a Chevy.
 
f_inscreenname

f_inscreenname

Commander
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Messages
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Re: Merc vs. Volvo - best punch for the buck...

f-in screename... what the hell is that big silver-ball in your garage?

That is one of those exercises balls and the garage you are referring to is my basement rec room.8)
 
QC

QC

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Re: Merc vs. Volvo - best punch for the buck...

f_inscreenname said:
the garage you are referring to is my basement rec room.8)
Click to expand...

LOL, looks like my office . . .
14.gif
 
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