Better engines
- Thread starter swim335
- Start date
Swim,
I would STRONGLY suggest installed a/c. If you plan on spending a lot of time out / overnighting; I am sure it gets as hot in GA as here in TN, you'll want it. Regarding MerCruiser to Crusader, I have 4.3L V6 Mercruisers w/ Alpha 1 drives and I have no complaints, but know nothing about Crusaders...BTW...Everyone will also advise you to spend the $$ to get a professional survey done before you buy - if you don't get a survey, there is a high probably you will have at least one to dozens of un-planned and un-expected repairs.
Good luck with your search, I like the overall quality of my Carver and looked at couple of Mariners during my search.
AJ
I would STRONGLY suggest installed a/c. If you plan on spending a lot of time out / overnighting; I am sure it gets as hot in GA as here in TN, you'll want it. Regarding MerCruiser to Crusader, I have 4.3L V6 Mercruisers w/ Alpha 1 drives and I have no complaints, but know nothing about Crusaders...BTW...Everyone will also advise you to spend the $$ to get a professional survey done before you buy - if you don't get a survey, there is a high probably you will have at least one to dozens of un-planned and un-expected repairs.
Good luck with your search, I like the overall quality of my Carver and looked at couple of Mariners during my search.
AJ
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Swim: I think the only difference in what you are referring to is one has a I/O drive and the other is a "V" drive. However, both are basically powered by short block Chevy engines. I have a 1987 Voyager 28 which is pretty much the same boat as a Mariner but with a lightly different floor plan plus a lower helm. Mine has "Mercruiser" "V" drives which is a chevy engine, Borg-Warner Transmission and Walter "V" drive. Mechanically and system wise they are the same.
Either one, if well maintained will serve you well.
If it is a solid boat that hasbeen taken care of they are great boats with lots of space for their size.
At any rate, good luck and please keep us informed as things progress.
I will echo what was said before, prior to even considering a purchase have it surveyed by a pro; hull, systems and mechanics. I would also strongly recommend a compression test on the engine.
Absolutely, I recommend an installed A/C.
Either one, if well maintained will serve you well.
If it is a solid boat that hasbeen taken care of they are great boats with lots of space for their size.
At any rate, good luck and please keep us informed as things progress.
I will echo what was said before, prior to even considering a purchase have it surveyed by a pro; hull, systems and mechanics. I would also strongly recommend a compression test on the engine.
Absolutely, I recommend an installed A/C.
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Agree that both make good engines, but for what it's worth, we've had the Merc vs Crusader (inboards) or Merc vs Volvo (I-O's) debate here many times and it's always the majority of forum members prefer Crusader and Volvo over Merc and the reasons are many.
What I have been hearing about the Crusaders are that they also use GM blocks like Volvo and Mercury. But they use more "factory" parts than do either Mercury or Volvo.
Don't know if that is true or not, because I am not an engine guy. I have owned one MerCruiser engine, two Volvo engines, and now two Crusader engines, and they have all performed well.
Don't know if that is true or not, because I am not an engine guy. I have owned one MerCruiser engine, two Volvo engines, and now two Crusader engines, and they have all performed well.
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When we have to replace either Merc or Crusader engines, the blocks are listed for either engine brand so they ARE the same block...GM is not going to make different engines for each marine converter as the marine market is not that large (for them). As stated many many times before, I don't believe much that Pascoe writes.
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i've got a pair of 454 mei's 340 hp merc's and they have very little crap on them. and 900 hrs. and push my 3607 hard and fast. imo it's all in what u start out with, is what you'll like.
Engines:
I don't know enough about the engine brands to make a worthwhile comment on Merc vs Crusader. My general understanding, however, is that the level of preventative maintenance that any given motor has received over the years is critical in determining its useful life and likelihood to break unexpectedly. Look for documentation to prove that regular maint. was done. Don't take someone's word for it.
A/C:
When the A/C died in my Trojan I considered all options, as internally installed units are EXPENSIVE. What I found is that no portable option worked for me. They were either too bulky, mounted in a way that wouldn't work for me, didn't produce enough cooling, or all of the above.
Why would you want a portable unit? I was looking based only on price. Do you have any other reason why a portable unit would be better for your situation?
Survey:
I purchased my first boat (36 ft. Trojan) without a survey and DEEPLY regret that decision, as the list of problems that I overlooked is lengthy.
My current boat had a full survey and sea trial from a reputable surveyor that I chose (definitely NOT the one that the broker recommended) prior to purchase. I've still had to fix some things, but at least I had a better feel for the scope of repairs that would be needed.
I don't know enough about the engine brands to make a worthwhile comment on Merc vs Crusader. My general understanding, however, is that the level of preventative maintenance that any given motor has received over the years is critical in determining its useful life and likelihood to break unexpectedly. Look for documentation to prove that regular maint. was done. Don't take someone's word for it.
A/C:
When the A/C died in my Trojan I considered all options, as internally installed units are EXPENSIVE. What I found is that no portable option worked for me. They were either too bulky, mounted in a way that wouldn't work for me, didn't produce enough cooling, or all of the above.
Why would you want a portable unit? I was looking based only on price. Do you have any other reason why a portable unit would be better for your situation?
Survey:
I purchased my first boat (36 ft. Trojan) without a survey and DEEPLY regret that decision, as the list of problems that I overlooked is lengthy.
My current boat had a full survey and sea trial from a reputable surveyor that I chose (definitely NOT the one that the broker recommended) prior to purchase. I've still had to fix some things, but at least I had a better feel for the scope of repairs that would be needed.
Read the Hulltruth.com/Pascoe review then you decide, he makes a lot of good points on this subject. Had both and LOVE my Crusaders and will replace with Crusaders when the time comes. I also like the cooling system (Risers and manifolds from Crusader over the Merc's I had). General lack of wires and hoses in also nice.
I had Crusader 502s. They had three fuel filters each-flying saucer,Racor filter/water separator, and orange juice can. (My descriptions). They and the water pump impellers were easy to maintain. My current Merc 454s have plastic housed water pumps that are a bear to work on.