Volvo's vs: Merc

D

DogDaze

Member
Joined
Jun 27, 2007
RO Number
27009
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675
I know, I started this once before...

but..

I did happen to see a pretty nice set of 8.1 Volvo's over the weekend (since I'm a Merc Kid, I had to look - right?) the only problem was is that they were in a 31' Formula PC..

I might have to reconsider my thoughts on it after seeing them.. they were pretty impressive..
 
I'm still a Merc guy. Volvo does seem to have some nice stuff but a guess its all what you used to. What I like about Merc is all the documentation and support you can get if you want to do things yourself.

Scott
Sundancer 280 "Misty II"
 
Hi Joe, we have the Volvo 8.1 Gis in our 3560 and I like them... a lot!!:D They are smooth, powerful and seem "reasonable" on fuel. You will certainly hear +s and -s from folks for both engine brands so you will just have to make your own decision. Keep smiling, Dave.
 
I have twin 5.0 GXI Volvos. I have always been a Merc owner. I like the sound of the Volvos and if you compare on the spec sheet that Rommer has listed, you will notice that comparable size Mercs seem to burn more fuel in the same model boats.
 
I have had both and so far I love my Volvo's a heck of a lot more than my Merc. As a matter of fair disclosure, the Merc in my old SeaRay was somewhat undersized for the boat. So, I am not blaming the engine manufacturer for that, but rather SeaRay for undersizing it. BTW, in 3 years of ownership, did not have 1 problem with the Merc and I bought it after it had already been used for 2 years. So, 5 years total with no problems, which is a good data point.

As for my current engines, Volvo 8.1 Gxi on the 3560. I must say they are amazing. They sound great, are very smooth and run like the devil. I have had my boat going over 52 MPH, which is pretty impressive with full canvas and more than a half tank of fuel![:-bonc01]
 
Hi Jeff,

Thanks for your post and your thoughts on the Volvo's vs: Mercs... I'm wondering how that Formula runs, since it's only a 31'.. I'd guess she'd hit 55 MPH easy then...

As for your 3560, was that 52 MPH with or without windscreens? :) I assume you got that taken care of by now?? Was curious as to how you made out..
 
Thanks Joe. The 52 MPH was with windscreens, before the episode. Believe it or not, I still do not have a new windscreen. Thanks for reminding me to call them again. This is definitely getting rediculous, 6 weeks and counting. IMO, not a good example of Regal customer service. Plus my new cockpit cover already has torn buttons - brand new out of the box. So, frustrating as you can tell. The only reason I have not completely blown my cool is that I can still use the boat without the windscreen. So, more of an annoyance than anything else. However, my sliding door has now pulled out of the fiberglass, because broken glass pieces were caught in the channel. If its not one thing it is another.
 
New 08 3060 with 5.0s run well except valve tap under low RPMS on the starboard. I was told it may...get better with a few more hours on it. Anyone have this issue and it got better? It started with about ten hours and now has about twenty plus.
 
I've owned Volvos, Mercruisers and OMCs (which were really Volvos). I hate to pop anyone's bubble, but Volvos and Mercruisers use the same engines. They both use engines from General Motors. The difference lies in the stuff bolted onto them, such as manifolds, fuel systems and of course, the drives. Now diesels are a different matter. Volvo uses their own diesels.
 
RBosque- Finally someone with some sense! To think a boater doesn't know that almost all gas engines these days are GM blocks marinized by other companies; Merc, Volvo,Crusader et al. IMO- I'd rather have the Volvo Duoprop outdrive than a Bravo III. No water pump in drive to deal with, better corrosion resistance, etc. But as always- To each his own.
 
Hey Guys,

Thanks for your comments.. Now most of us know they are both GM Blocks, and that it's all that other "stuff" that makes the difference. It seems that it's generally all that other "stuff" that seems to be problematic. Thus my questions..

Based on what I've seen on the forum, more folks seem to like the Volvo DP Drives over the Bravo III... so I think we'll need to try to get a sea trial on one with Volvo's someday.. just to check and compare first hand. :)
 
I had a Bravo outdrive on my first boat and now I have a Volvo duoprop. I don't miss the clunk from the Bravo when shifting gears at all and so far I have been happy with the Volvo. Changing the impeller on the Volvo is ten times easier and faster than my previous Mercruiser.
 
I absolutely love the Volvo DuoProps. Do take the time to check them out!!
 
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