New to boating, looking for advice on purchase

[mike_d]

Re: New to boating, looking for advice on purchase

I certainly appreciate all the knowledge and experience on this site... It's definitely been a learning experience! I've also read that parts availability is hit or miss (it does appear to be the Ford 302, though it does say "manufactured by Volvo-Penta" on it) - as a positive, it looks like the outdrive is the joint venture outdrive which is actually the Volvo SX (due to the "hump" on top of the drive? -- picture attached).

If I get a few seasons out of it, I could always replace it with a Mercruiser package later right? And if it really is a VP outdrive, I assume I could do it without converting the drive...

 

[jkust]

Re: New to boating, looking for advice on purchase

I certainly appreciate all the knowledge and experience on this site... It's definitely been a learning experience! I've also read that parts availability is hit or miss (it does appear to be the Ford 302, though it does say "manufactured by Volvo-Penta" on it) - as a positive, it looks like the outdrive is the joint venture outdrive which is actually the Volvo SX (due to the "hump" on top of the drive? -- picture attached).

If I get a few seasons out of it, I could always replace it with a Mercruiser package later right? And if it really is a VP outdrive, I assume I could do it without converting the drive...

View attachment 147428

Mike, I'm trying to think of a good analagy like how maybe you don't spit into the wind or run into oncoming traffic. You don't buy OMC. Trust these guys in that if you don't do another thing they suggest ever again, avoid OMC. It's all about time on the water vs time getting fixed and scarcity of resources (money). Buying an obselete package in expectation of spending a lot more money on it in the near future doesn't seem like a prudent choice in the eyes of guys that have been involved in boating for decades. Move on to the next one that has a current power package.

 

[mike_d]

Re: New to boating, looking for advice on purchase

Mike, I'm trying to think of a good analagy like how maybe you don't spit into the wind or run into oncoming traffic. You don't buy OMC. Trust these guys in that if you don't do another thing they suggest ever again, avoid OMC. It's all about time on the water vs time getting fixed and scarcity of resources (money). Buying an obselete package in expectation of spending a lot more money on it in the near future doesn't seem like a prudent choice in the eyes of guys that have been involved in boating for decades. Move on to the next one that has a current power package.

Well, I guess the search continues. This may possibly be the most frustrating thing I've ever done.

Luckily this boat is from a large boat dealer here in N. GA, so I'm sure we can drum up something that's a Mercruiser package.

Thanks for the advice, guys. I'll keep you posted.