Volvo SX verses Mercruiser Alpha 1

[kcole683]

Hello to all I am new to the forum.<br />I am considering a boat power options include Mercruiser and Volvo Sterndrives. Any opinions on the quality of the two?<br /><br />I know the mercruiser has a better dealer network (more US dealers)<br />Volvo has a 2 year vs 1 year warranty on the merc.,currently doubled on either maker by the boat manufacturer.<br /><br />Any and all advice is welcome.<br />I currently have a 1985 mercruiser alpha/R/MR on my boat and am leaning towards the Volvo for the warranty.<br /><br />Thanks for your replies in advance.

 

[CCrew]

Re: Volvo SX verses Mercruiser Alpha 1

New Volvo's are great I/O's. Mercruiser however has a larger installed base therefore easier to get service. Personally if it were my choice I'd have the Volvo. <br /><br />-Roger

 

[seahorse5]

Re: Volvo SX verses Mercruiser Alpha 1

What will make the biggest difference, besides the better warranty, is the "feel" of the shifting. Volvo's cone clutch is smooth and easy to get into and out of gear. You do not have the critical shift cable adjustments of the MercCruiser or the "clunking" or ratcheting sound when you shift. The ratcheting sound is from shifting too slow.

 

[Lark40]

Re: Volvo SX verses Mercruiser Alpha 1

I had a new boat with a Mercruiser Alpha 1 two years ago and couldn't wait to sell it. The difficult shifting was a major complaint. I liked the smoothness of an old OMC Cobra much better. Have no doubt that my new Volvo SX investment will be worth it.

 

[kcole683]

Re: Volvo SX verses Mercruiser Alpha 1

Thank you all so much for the advice. I am still leaning towards the Volvo(a little more now).<br /><br />Do you think parts and service costs would be similar between the two?<br /><br />Any other opinions?? All are welcome.<br /><br />Thanks

 

[Walt T]

Re: Volvo SX verses Mercruiser Alpha 1

They are similar as far as cost to repair.

 

[Doug Durako]

Re: Volvo SX verses Mercruiser Alpha 1

Don't buy without a sea trial! Drive a bunch of Volvos and see for yourself.<br /><br />A couple of additonal thoughts for you. How big of vessel are you going?<br /><br />I like the Merc duo-prop only because Volvo seems to have a problem with the props welding themselves to the drive shaft if you don't follow the book religiosly on removing and greasing the splines.<br /><br />That said, I still almost bought a Volvo duo-prop on a used Cobalt this last time around, but the owner was too much in love with it to the tune of $2K over the blue book value.<br /><br />Does anyone know if Volvo makes anything here in the states? I think Merc is still a good old Wisconsin company.<br /><br />Good luck with your purchase!

 

[kcole683]

Re: Volvo SX verses Mercruiser Alpha 1

I agree on the sea trial.<br />I am looking at 20 22 foot stingray cuddys at this time.<br /><br />I have never been a fan of mercury or mercruiser but there everywhere,and the service network is large. That is why I bought a boat with a mercruiser in it last time. I know alot of people that sware by mercs but I dont know,I dont have enough experience in the matter.<br /><br />My dad has had good luck with his 65 johnson 9 1/2 ,a 78 chrysler 75 HP,and now his 92 Force 90 Hp outboard.(The 78 Chrysler 75 HP outboard is the best running outboard I have ever been around)<br /><br />I have a mercruiser 3.7 170 HP in my boat it has been OK but I would rather have any other mercuiser engine, this one has many quirks(what I get for not researching enough).<br /><br />Thanks for all the info guys and happy boating for those year round boaters.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Volvo SX verses Mercruiser Alpha 1

hello<br /> mmmm Volvo to mercrusier comparison? nope no comparison here.<br /> volvo wins hands down.<br />the only volvo SX problem we have had and volvo is aware of it is the propshaft seal sometimes lets go.<br /> how big a motor are you looking at?<br /> the X-DP composite drive is awesome but so far only offered with the 4.3. soon I think it will be with the 5.7.<br /> look at the DP-E as well as the DP-SX.<br /> if you have aluminiun props on a volvo DP drive you WILL follow the maint schedule or you WILL pay someone to cut the props off the shaft.<br />the smooth shifting and no cut out/interrupter switches is a nice feature. the bravo 1 and 2 are almost as bad as the alpha. the bravo 3 is fair if taken care of and not in salt water.<br /> keep shopping and call around to marinas. or ask and ask more.<br /> BTW I am working for both a mercruiser and a volvo-penta dealer and have been for years.<br /> the only other drawback to the SX is in commercial use they tend to wipe out trim lines yearly and they need the lower swivel bushing replaced yearly.<br /> good luck and keep posting

 

[Doug Durako]

Re: Volvo SX verses Mercruiser Alpha 1

Rodbolt----composite drive----sounds light and fast. Does Volvo have some specs on this drive or a website I could look at it and drool over it wishing I had one?<br /><br />Winters are long here in sunny Illinois.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Volvo SX verses Mercruiser Alpha 1

hello<br /> ddboater<br /> the volvo composite drive has an aluminum tube that holds the gears and shafting. the transom assy is also composite. the gimbal beraing is no longer a greasable item (no one greased them anyway)and was extensivly tested in this area with some of the commercial guys.<br /> some had the FI 4.3 and some had the FI 5.7. <br /> no gear failures were reported.<br /> the largest failure we saw was shift cables so volvo designed there own insted of using a morse one and that problem was solved.<br /> very light weight incredably strong. the only failures when dragged acrossed a chained telephone pole at 30 mph was some cracking of 1 of the transom shields at the gimbal ring mounting area.<br /> I went to Volvo school for it last jan and saw some of the tests as well as worked with some of the crabbers that prototyped it with real world testing last year.<br /> awesome drive.<br />you should see what the drive Dyno in chesapeake VA can do to a alpha drive in less than 400 hours.<br /> the sx and dp drives will normally go over 1000 hrs at full load.I hope to get to another mercruiser school next winter to compare.<br /> good luck and keep posting

 

[garycinn]

Re: Volvo SX verses Mercruiser Alpha 1

Here is a shot of a composite drive:<br /><br />

<br /><br />Looks incredible if you ask me.

 

[Lou C]

Re: Volvo SX verses Mercruiser Alpha 1

Speaking of the Volvo, Rodbolt, I have an OMC Cobra and I was thinking of changing to a Volvo SX (you can change the pivot housing and add the water pump kit on the volvo, but still use the OMC transom mount) when I can't get parts/service on the OMC. If my OMC was to need significant work (rebuild) would it not make more sense to go to the Volvo, or is it still feasable to keep repairing these older OMC drives. <br />PS I do have a very good OMC trained guy to work on it now.

 

[Randy Up North]

Re: Volvo SX verses Mercruiser Alpha 1

I just came back from my new Larson boat dealer and when he showed me my boat it had a Merc in it and not the Volvo that I had decided on. We talked about it for a while and I decided to go with the Merc. Did he pull the old switch-a roo on me or did I make the right decision?

 

[Lark40]

Re: Volvo SX verses Mercruiser Alpha 1

If you are asking the question, then you already know the answer....

 

[imported_Mike_M2]

Re: Volvo SX verses Mercruiser Alpha 1

Switch a roo!<br /><br />Your spending the bling to buy something new, don't settle for less than you want.

 

[kcole683]

Re: Volvo SX verses Mercruiser Alpha 1

If you decided on the Volvo Penta thats what you should have got. The mercruiser has some nice features, but there was a reason you wanted the Volvo. The salesman or whoever you were dealing with should have compensated you for their mistake or reordered your boat to make it right. Talking you into the Mercruiser was not the way to go. I would be leery of them.<br /> You should have walked out and took your money with you. Unless you really want the merc.<br /><br />Good luck and happy boating.

 

[Doug Durako]

Re: Volvo SX verses Mercruiser Alpha 1

My answer depends on how much the dealer cuts the price to make up for his error----but I doubt if he will make up his stupid mistake and now you know why I don't deal with boat dealers.<br /><br />Alpha drive is fine. The Larson boat is a different story. Go look at a few used ones, you might change your mind.

 

[MFG197]

Re: Volvo SX verses Mercruiser Alpha 1

Check that "good ole wisconsin company" Feb. issue of Trailerboats says merc will soon be building its small outboards (<60hp) in CHINA to utilize an untapped market and improve profit margins on hard-to-make-money-on small outboards. They claim they will not lay off, but will downsize in the US thru attrition and job changes for current employees...so much for good ole american company...mercs may soon be sold at Wally World...another culprit in the destruction of the american dream...i added the last part

 

[Walt T]

Re: Volvo SX verses Mercruiser Alpha 1

I'd stay away from that dealer. Nothing wrong with Merc. He screwed up and cant return the boat so now you have him over a barrel.