A
Anonymous
Guest
how long should a 5.0 or 5.7 Volvo Penta last (how many hours typically)
ie in a Seasport?
ie in a Seasport?
Les Lampman
New member
A Fishin C":13fbkiqt said:
Ha! I guess no one wanted to wade into this one (at least not the smart ones)!
In (very) general terms getting 2500 to 3000 hours out of a V-8 that's maintained properly isn't a difficult thing. However, it's the ancillary stuff that will bite, like the cooling system, starter, manifolds, risers, and the biggie...the outdrive.
We used to be a Volo-Penta dealer; we aren't any more (and haven't been for years). There was just too much heartbreak involved. Too much nasty work we had to do and too much money customers had to pay for.
IF...and it's a big one...there are full (and I mean complete) service records on the outdrive (it should come off annually) and engine it could be a good buy at the right price. Without that I'd personally walk.
If you're the first owner and maintain the engine and outdrive the way it should be done you could expect a good 20 years out of it (replacing things like boots, bearings, risers, and such as necessary). But often the first owner (out of lack of knowledge usually) doesn't do a thing (after all, it's running great) and at about 8 years the second owner gets a heck of a bill (multiple thousands).
I hate I/O's but I've tried to be objective about the reason why (laid out above).
Les
Well done Les, I was going to say something similar, (you held back) can't stand volvo i/o myself, too many customers over the years having a lot of money spent. The leg needs service annually. You want real indigestion go for the duo prop. Outboards are way superior. If c dorys were i/o I wouldn't have a c dory. Glad they are outboards. George
Down here in florida I/O 's are not big sellers they are a nightmare to fix and it's not if, it's when you will replace risers,manifolds ,water pumps , starters , etc,etc,
FRiend of mine bought a searay with an I/O what an ordeal to fix it the engine was mounted from the factory wrong and almost sunk his boat he bought the boat cheap and probably why it was sold in the first place .so no recourse with searay after 5yrs . I told him to sell and buy an outboard boat much better down here in SW florida
FRiend of mine bought a searay with an I/O what an ordeal to fix it the engine was mounted from the factory wrong and almost sunk his boat he bought the boat cheap and probably why it was sold in the first place .so no recourse with searay after 5yrs . I told him to sell and buy an outboard boat much better down here in SW florida
Don and Brenda
New member
Volvo but on the diesel side, I was looking at the build sheet on a Cutwater I was looking at buying and noticed Volvo D3 was spec'd, I asked the dealer about this and Ranger Tugs and Cutwater are changing the whole fleet to Volvo. I know a few years ago the customer service was terrible and parts were hard to get and expensive, not sure how this is these days, I am rethinking my options.
divingmikeboats
New member
Volvo Penta parts aren't hard to find but the cost tend to be eye-opening. I run a D4 in my boat and love the heck out of it. Fantastic economy. The DPH series outdrives are designed for the D series. Beefier than the gas oriented drives. Very easy to remove. I can drop mine in about 20 minutes which I do every fall.
I had an old 7.4 Volvo with a duo-prop drive and never felt I could turn my back on it.
I had an old 7.4 Volvo with a duo-prop drive and never felt I could turn my back on it.
Captains Cat
New member
Don and Brenda":3d9u6p3t said:
Some speculation on TugNuts about the change. Apparently shifting as Don said from Yanmar to Volvo. We'll see how that goes! I do know that the Yanmar computers have been problematic with shutdowns, alarms, etc. at least according to the nuts themselves.
Charlie
Captains Cat
New member
This from Jeff Messmer on TugNuts:
"We are going to begin offering Volvo as an option on our Cutwater Boats starting in January of 2012. The Volvo D3 170 HP will be offered in the C26 and the Volvo D4 260 HP will be offered in the 28. Volvo is a leader in the industry and has worked very hard to earn some of our business. We are excited about this partnership. We will also be able to hold our current Cutwater pricing for boats being built with Volvo engines after the first of the year. Yanmar powered boats built after the first of the year will be facing a price increase. We will continue to offer Yanmar as the exclusive power in our Ranger Tugs for the foreseeable future.
Jeff"
Charlie
"We are going to begin offering Volvo as an option on our Cutwater Boats starting in January of 2012. The Volvo D3 170 HP will be offered in the C26 and the Volvo D4 260 HP will be offered in the 28. Volvo is a leader in the industry and has worked very hard to earn some of our business. We are excited about this partnership. We will also be able to hold our current Cutwater pricing for boats being built with Volvo engines after the first of the year. Yanmar powered boats built after the first of the year will be facing a price increase. We will continue to offer Yanmar as the exclusive power in our Ranger Tugs for the foreseeable future.
Jeff"
Charlie
Don and Brenda
New member
Good to hear from jeff to clear that up. Guess I let the cat out of the bag a bit early, the decision only happened a few days ago.
T.R. Bauer
New member
I would tend to agree with Les. If they are taken care of they last a really long time. The outdrives (hooked to 4 bangers) on the back of my old bayliner lasted forever and ever and it didn't have the best of care until I got it (they were 15-20 years old). Even with that said, they were in pretty good shape. I did throw everything away pretty much on each side to spread out the expense after a couple years of owning it as they were becoming dinosaurs. It was not cheap, but it wasn't crazy expensive either. But, I did it all myself and saved tons in labor. Truth is, I kind of miss the purr of the 4 bangers and how well they ran. I miss the boat too as it was a trusty old thing.....But it had its downsides too as it was also butt ugly and needed lots of cosmetic work.....The C-Dory is better 
And a hell of lot easier to tow, retrieve, and launch.
And a hell of lot easier to tow, retrieve, and launch.The idea of an I/O (Inboard/Outboard) engine arrangement is initially very appealing. A strong automotive 4-cycle core engine is loaded with torque and horsepower, economical, and the I/O drive seems at first to be an ingenious solution to a lot of problems encountered with through the hull drives, shafts, skegs, rudders, v-drive arrangements, jet pumps, etc.
But that engine has to operate in a bilge, take in fresh water from the lake or salt water from the ocean, and exit it's power through the transom with an outdrive that is far more complex than a simple outboard engine leg.
The outdrive is riddled with issues with bearings, gears, water pumps, hoses, seals, bellows, trim and steering adjustments, control rods and cables, and just about everything else short of the galley sink and portapotti.
Moreover, you really won't know just how complex and vulnerable one of these suckers is until you own one for a few years and smoke up the air writing checks to your friendly, apologizing marine repair shop!
I've got two Mercruiser V-6's with Alpha I Drives in the bilge of my Sea Ray, and their so tight down there you can't even get your hand in between the inner manifolds between the engines. Add two bilge pumps, two hydraulic outdrive trim pumps, a Bennet Trim Tab pump, a power steering pump, 3 group 27 batteries, a hot water heater, shower sump, battery charger, ventilation blowers and hoses, exhaust manifolds, risers, and hoses, and room for a built in generator system, and you can barely get a foot or two down onto the bottom of the hull, let alone any real room to work!
The whole arrangement is the total anthesis of the KISS Principle!
Single or twins? Are you kidding? I'll take a single big block V-8 over two small block V-6's or two V-8's any day! OR better yet, an outboard engine.
Beware the I/O!
Joe. :teeth :thup
But that engine has to operate in a bilge, take in fresh water from the lake or salt water from the ocean, and exit it's power through the transom with an outdrive that is far more complex than a simple outboard engine leg.
The outdrive is riddled with issues with bearings, gears, water pumps, hoses, seals, bellows, trim and steering adjustments, control rods and cables, and just about everything else short of the galley sink and portapotti.
Moreover, you really won't know just how complex and vulnerable one of these suckers is until you own one for a few years and smoke up the air writing checks to your friendly, apologizing marine repair shop!
I've got two Mercruiser V-6's with Alpha I Drives in the bilge of my Sea Ray, and their so tight down there you can't even get your hand in between the inner manifolds between the engines. Add two bilge pumps, two hydraulic outdrive trim pumps, a Bennet Trim Tab pump, a power steering pump, 3 group 27 batteries, a hot water heater, shower sump, battery charger, ventilation blowers and hoses, exhaust manifolds, risers, and hoses, and room for a built in generator system, and you can barely get a foot or two down onto the bottom of the hull, let alone any real room to work!
The whole arrangement is the total anthesis of the KISS Principle!
Single or twins? Are you kidding? I'll take a single big block V-8 over two small block V-6's or two V-8's any day! OR better yet, an outboard engine.
Beware the I/O!
Joe. :teeth :thup
I/O units are much like outboards, if they're serviced yearly and boots replaced as needed, they will last many years with no failures.
The new Volvo units are touted to be easier to service and tougher than the older units and that's hard to believe since we had 18 years on our last boat's I/O.
As for parts, they're all expensive these days (at least my Honda parts are).
The new Volvo units are touted to be easier to service and tougher than the older units and that's hard to believe since we had 18 years on our last boat's I/O.
As for parts, they're all expensive these days (at least my Honda parts are).
divingmikeboats
New member
My IRA":eabbvyw0 said:
Good summation. It's all about the maintenance.
I have two I/O's....a Mercruiser in my 1992 Reinell ski boat and a Volvo dual prop in my 1998 Campion. I've had good luck with both.
I would love to have an outboard on my Campion but my primary reason is due to cockpit space. So far, the Volvo engine and outdrive has been quite reliable. I do have them inspected and serviced regularily.
There are times I appreciate the I/O. I can run a 2 battery, 1500w inverter off of it's alternator. The noise level is very quiet.
If you are looking at two identical, well maintained boats and the one with the I/O is significantly less, then consider the I/O and put the difference in a rainy day account. That's a prevailing reason why I stay put with my paid for, loaded Campion which originally cost me 16k vs. another boat, like a CDory, for twice the money.
-Greg
I would love to have an outboard on my Campion but my primary reason is due to cockpit space. So far, the Volvo engine and outdrive has been quite reliable. I do have them inspected and serviced regularily.
There are times I appreciate the I/O. I can run a 2 battery, 1500w inverter off of it's alternator. The noise level is very quiet.
If you are looking at two identical, well maintained boats and the one with the I/O is significantly less, then consider the I/O and put the difference in a rainy day account. That's a prevailing reason why I stay put with my paid for, loaded Campion which originally cost me 16k vs. another boat, like a CDory, for twice the money.
-Greg
South of Heaven
New member
I like the aesthetics of a true inboard on a Downeast boat. The clean, bare stern is a thing of beauty IMHO. I agree however that inboards and i/o's just seem so darn prone to mechanical breakdowns. Lol.
I agree with the downeast aesthetics, but also agree with the aversion to I/O's. I lost my ass financially on the I/O I had, for the exact reasons Les mentioned in the first response above. An interesting compromise I saw recently is the Atlas Pompano 23. If inboard was the only real choice (to utilize diesel power for example) I'd much rather have a true inboard with a bow thruster added. Two thumbs way down on the outdrive.
Robert H. Wilkinson
New member
Gore tex suit - check,,,,Kevlar vest - check,,,plexiglass shield - check,,, OK here I go into shark infested waters,,,
Hello my name is Rob and I HAVE A VOLVO I/O!!
and,,,,,,,,I LOVE IT!! :shock: :shock:
Sorry for the attempt at humor but our winter nights are long and boring here in the north country. I also have a 16ft. with 50 and 4.5 Merc outboards that I love as well so I'm not completely biased. :|
Just saying - lets not forget that there are many advantages to an inboard as well as advantages to an outboard. Also lets never forget the disastrous consequences when somebody tries to combine the 2 - like that 2.5L Merc came up with and stuck in Bayliners back in the 80's.
As for Volvo I have great respect for their products both on land and water. A friend who owns a marine repair facility told me years ago that Volvo is always leading the pack - they pioneered the I/O back in the 50's and love it or hate it others followed suit and are still using them. The DP drive - Volvo - might be complicated but it performs. Pod drives - Volvo - Forward facing prop - Volvo, etc.
My 5 year warranty is almost up but Volvo has been excellent with it. They also demand any dealers perform warranty work in a timely fashion. As for parts even after my warranty is up - if I need a Volvo part for my boat it is guaranteed in 30 days or it is free. Years ago if you bought foreign - you took the chance that getting parts might take a while. Today you can buy a "domestic" vehicle and the chances are that the part you need will come from another country.
South of Heaven - agree love the down east style.
My IRA - agree maintenance is key, including a "drive off" inspection when winterizing.
Joe - I feel your pain re. 2 V6's crammed together. Maybe 2 of the older straight 6's - OK - but agree on the single big block.(sorry Harvey)
Regards, Rob
Hello my name is Rob and I HAVE A VOLVO I/O!!
and,,,,,,,,I LOVE IT!! :shock: :shock:
Sorry for the attempt at humor but our winter nights are long and boring here in the north country. I also have a 16ft. with 50 and 4.5 Merc outboards that I love as well so I'm not completely biased. :|
Just saying - lets not forget that there are many advantages to an inboard as well as advantages to an outboard. Also lets never forget the disastrous consequences when somebody tries to combine the 2 - like that 2.5L Merc came up with and stuck in Bayliners back in the 80's.
As for Volvo I have great respect for their products both on land and water. A friend who owns a marine repair facility told me years ago that Volvo is always leading the pack - they pioneered the I/O back in the 50's and love it or hate it others followed suit and are still using them. The DP drive - Volvo - might be complicated but it performs. Pod drives - Volvo - Forward facing prop - Volvo, etc.
My 5 year warranty is almost up but Volvo has been excellent with it. They also demand any dealers perform warranty work in a timely fashion. As for parts even after my warranty is up - if I need a Volvo part for my boat it is guaranteed in 30 days or it is free. Years ago if you bought foreign - you took the chance that getting parts might take a while. Today you can buy a "domestic" vehicle and the chances are that the part you need will come from another country.
South of Heaven - agree love the down east style.
My IRA - agree maintenance is key, including a "drive off" inspection when winterizing.
Joe - I feel your pain re. 2 V6's crammed together. Maybe 2 of the older straight 6's - OK - but agree on the single big block.(sorry Harvey)
Regards, Rob
When I started looking at a power boat (coming from sail), I looked at 2 26ish B or something boats with I/O. Both suffered severely from deferred maintenance that was going to involve riser replacement, cooling system service with possible replacement, and very rough looking boots-- scary looking actually. I friend who was a power boater gave me good advice at the time, and I think it still applies. "Don't buy a boat that has a high probability of letting water from the outside get to the inside.... period. Sure, they can work, but why not put your money into gas instead of rubber."
Oh, back when I didn't really know much, I actually looked at one of those boats that had a single engine. :shock: :?
By the way, South of Heaven, if you hang a pair of matched power heads back there, that "Downeaster" would look really buff. :lol: :lol: :thup :thup
Harvey
SleepyC :moon
Something on my boat has to look "buff"
Oh, back when I didn't really know much, I actually looked at one of those boats that had a single engine. :shock: :?
By the way, South of Heaven, if you hang a pair of matched power heads back there, that "Downeaster" would look really buff. :lol: :lol: :thup :thup
Harvey
SleepyC :moon
Something on my boat has to look "buff"