Volvo vs MerCruiser - The Best Inboard/Outboards, Stern Drives, I/Os?

[@BoatBuyersSecretWeapon]

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[@jedlikestrains7599]

I feel like if people drove identical boats back to back, more people would choose the Volvos. There’s something about them, smooth running but with great power delivery. People just stick with what they know and never experience the new stuff. I’ve got a 2007 regal 2700 with the 8.1 volvo. With a duo prop drive. And it’s amazing.

[@verucasalt2391]

I’m going to look at a 2007 Regal 2565 a couple of days. I know nothing about these motors and I’m really happy to see people like them. Happy Boating!

[@jedlikestrains7599]

@@verucasalt2391 they are great motors, even after a year I’ve only had to replace a serpentine belt. It’s great.

[@ojtamayosr]

Bought a new Regal runabout with a Volvo drive and never had a problem the time I owned it.

[@davidlester7096]

I’ve got a 95 Volvo with the 5.0 ford 302 and SX drive. That is an incredible drive. I love it. It’s bulletproof. My son bent the prop shaft and the dealer straightened it while on the drive. The assembly is just that tough. Volvo is just a more sturdy drive. Engines are all the same.

[@koreybuccellato4342]

I had this in a 99. Engine and drive were both bulletproof. I couldn't kill it.

[@c.c.hiliner1065]

Still have my 1998 Volvo Penta 5.7 GS/SX. EXCELLENT!

[@Fljeff7]

I've owned outboard, Berkley Jet Drive and now a Mercruiser Alpha1 Gen2. Learning curve on all of them

[@pzflo]

When i was a tech 1990's in a shop that sold both Mercruiser and Volvo,. The old style Volvo drive was bullet proof. Mercruiser runs aground, rebuild drive, Volvo runs aground, put on new prop and send it out the door. I do own a 2016 Mercruiser 4.5 on my 185 Glastron currently.

[@alanploetz7100]

Just from sales numbers and overwhelming industry trends it's clear I'm not the only one who thinks outboards are the better alternative unless you have a clear case for larger inboards or pod drives. Price/cost of operating seems to remain the I/O's best selling advantages in smaller runabouts since the technology is pretty well established & the demand for extreme performance isn't that critical. Thanks for your comparison.

[@alanploetz7100]

@@BoatBuyersSecretWeapon I had not. Just did though. Some pretty helpful basic info. For my purposes the advancement of 4-stroke outboards answers 90+% of my needs. Also, the boat designers extending the platforms on either side of the motors and creating enough setback to be able to fully tilt them up out of the water are over coming some of the disadvantages - that and side entry doors in the gunwales of CC's and some DC's. Now if the prices would start idling back the world would be sunny.😆

[@dugenpippenger4811]

They also marinize ford blocks. The 5.0 and 5.7 with the SX and DPS were iconic

[@Blitzkrieg.u812]

As a 20 yr plus marine dealer... we made fun of the Mercruisers.. called them awful one and awful 2 and other name's i cannot say... OMC was a disaster, the cobra was an improvement... volvo invented the sterndrive... volvo sterndrive was almost bullet proof... (cone clutch).... merc had to play catch up to volvo back in the day...

[@luc5731]

My 1985 Volvo Penta dp is still making 100 mile runs it all comes down 2 maintenance

[@cscheidt1]

Another thing to think about is Volvo is using either a 5.3 liter (Mercury uses 6.2 liter) or 6.2 liter (Mercury uses Big block) motor to get the same HP that Mercury does.

[@championplayerdo7604]

I'm in the Carolinas as well and I'm glad to hear you are! Maybe I can get some help at some point on certain things if need be

[@BoatBuyersSecretWeapon]

Nice!

[@jimardizoni3453]

Never heard a merc owner say next boats going to be a Volvo, I keep hearing the new ones are really good. Quiet is nice but doesn't mean it's going to last longer. I'll stick with the merc .

[@jedlikestrains7599]

Interesting cause for us we hated our mercrusier 5.0. Loving our 8.1 Volvo DPS.

[@chrisanderson4799]

I’ve had 4 Mercs and 2 Volvos. The Mercs were always plagued with little issues and corrosion issues on my Bravo 3 drives. My Volvos were absolutely trouble free and so simple to do normal maintenance on compared to the Mercs. Especially the Raw Water Pump.

[@johnhickman2915]

I have opinions on which one is better, but I do find it interesting that most of the higher quality brands of boats prefer Volvo, it seams that Brunswick boats use Brunswick engines with a very few exceptions

[@MBSprinter]

Many MerCruisers over the years on inland waterways. No issues outside of maintenance. I think it may come down to service availability. I’m a Merc guy but know Volvo makes a great product!

[@BrawndoQC]

It's exactly that. I currently live in Yucatan in Mexico (I'm Canadian) and people told me to not buy Volvo because of the lack of serviceability, not because they are bad. I opted for an outboard setup with twin Yamaha instad of stern drives.

[@michiganengineer8621]

I suspect (haven't gone looking in my area) that most inland marinas/boat dealers here in the USA will be more likely to service Mercury/Mercruiser engines and drive systems. At least until you get to the bigger boats/engines (diesel cruisers for example).

[@liamfirebird6922]

This is awesome info. Thanks

[@yungpinchyy3300]

I’ve had both and the Volvo was just always giving me a lot of issues the merc runs like a champ 0 issues since I’ve owned it.

[@milanmues4551]

We have a volvo penta 5.7gxi and it is a great engine.

[@AchikSarih]

Merci beaucoup ❤❤❤❤❤

[@jacquespoirier9071]

there is a very tough myth, it is that the automotive amd marine engines are different breed in fact most marine engines are basically car engines ( casting anf part numbers to prove that ) the diffeences are the piston to cylinder that are on the loose side of the tolerance, the freeze plugs that are brass instead of steel and the camshaft that is a bit wilder ( very similar to RV cam spec.). The main differences are in the accessories, that are spill and spark proof, the exhaust manifolds that are water cooled and the cooling system that uses raw waters directly in the block except in very rare cases where a closed system is used to cool the block and the manifolds. Except high end conversions, most engines does not use oil coolers which is an asset for engines that works at full power for long periods.

[@MissionaryForMexico]

You did a fantastic job!

[@mandih1114]

Great detailed video. Thank you

[@JD-fd1rl]

I have had both engine drive packages. I had a 20ft Cobalt with the VP drive and a 22 ft Cobalt with MC drive. Both dual prop drives. I will say the Mercruiser has more vibration at low RPMs (600 - 1,200). Above that there is no difference. My Bravo 3 setup uses a 4 blade prop in front and 3 blade at the back and that may account for some vibration. For handling and hole shot I prefer the Mer raiser.

[@BullisticFan]

Historically, I/O's were less expensive based on dollar per horsepower. That is less and less the case as outboards now dominate the market. Outboards are easier to do maintenance on and easier to remove from the boat if major work is required. Finding someone to work on a stern-drive has become a nightmare and it is worse if you have a Volvo Penta. The outdrive is complicated and has several potential points of failure. My next boat will have outboards.

[@djrigga]

I’d keep with mercruiser I work as a marine engineer on all different types of outdrives engines never really rated volvo but both have there flaws

[@darrelloconnell8772]

I bought a mercury product primarily because I intend to go to many far fun places I would like to do the great loop and take the inside passage up to Alaska so it’s not just the local support I have from mercury versus Volvo but it’s also in general. How much support can I get from mercury versus Volvo throughout the country?

[@fernandomartin624]

How about merc being much cheaper than Volvo to maintain etc?

[@FightingMango]

I’m in Sweden so here the Volvo is obviously the clear choice and shows in the resale prices of merc engine boats being quite a bit lower than the same boat with a volvo engine. Also here there is so many Volvo service and parts dealers.

[@FightingMango]

Yeah for sure. Nothing wrong with the merc as you say. Just depends on regions :)

[@FightingMango]

Thanks for all your work! I have only found your channel a few days ago and have listened to absolutely hours of it. You helped me check and ask all the right questions for buy my first used fibreglass cruiser (Aquador 23HT with the Volvo D3 200). I had a wooden boat for years and the labour intensiveness of that is a night mare. Might have paid a little more for the fibreglass boat than I should, but the darn thing is in such good condition that I don’t care. Rather pay a little more and have less hassles and just enjoy being on the water. Keep up the great work buddy!

[@devildogkilo]

What are your thoughts on 1980s to 1990s boats??

[@BoatBuyersSecretWeapon]

What’s out for rot, delimitation and mechanical issues but some good ones out there if your cautious

[@bapakbob3897]

Thank you for the overview. But by the end I didn't really see a "best" inboard/outboard (Volvo or Mercriser) pick as the headline stated. And Ilmor was not even mentioned. I could infer from the pricing comparisons that you get more engine for the money with Volvo, since all their engines are closed cooling. If you want closed cooling on a Mercruiser, it is a thousands-extra cost. I don't like Mercruisers "we can do it better than GM" go it alone approach to engine design - it makes the Mercruiser buyer the unpaid beta tester of Mercruisers brain flatuations. A brief history of the "new" in-house Mercruiser 8.2 liter 2010-today will demonstrate just how much of an unpaid beta tester the end user is with a Mercruiser"clean slate motor." eg, the first 4 years of the newest 8.2 (2010-2014) found Mercuriser installing 6, (yes six!) cat converters on that motor, what a nightmare for the owner! (and just the tip of the 8.2 iceberg of issues.) " Another example of this engine is --- Really junk cheap chit fuel rails prob the lowest quality I have ever seen for any marine app. Many issues in the past including they blew up. IMO they will never make it past 500 hours without huge major issues. The early ones with the 6 cat total cat sub strakes ( 3 per side ) was one of the worst engineer designs I have ever seen, Vertical mounted positioned cats --- 6 total cats made no sense whats so ever." But personal aversion to being an unpaid beta tester for Mercruiser aside; Mercruiser left GM because GM told them they will stop making V8's due to CAFE and Electrification, perhaps within this decade. So where will Volvo be then? Personally, although I presently can find nary a one used boat with an outboard motor (that isn't a salt boat); I will plan my next purchase (and pay the price of admission) for an Asian-designed (and preferably Asian-built) outboard propulsion solution.

[@seangoodman665]

I was a water tester for 4 years up here in Canada. I spent many hours driving both Mercruiser and Volvo equipped boats. I saw the good the bad and the ugly. Feel free to contact me . I talk better than I type.

[@frogoSwaggins]

Hello, 2 years later! I am looking for a newish Cobalt boat around 27' and probably 2015+, my buddies say Volvo would be the worse option due to higher maintenance and less dealers to repair. They have always had Merc but it seems whenever I search for the Cobalt nearly all of them have Volvos. What would be your piece of advice?

[@d.powers3428]

After a lifetime of working on machinery Volvo Penta is superior in every way. Mercruser is ok however superior metallurgy and machine work is impressive on volvo.

[@cheapme1850]

In my area and most of the Great Lakes, it’s no contest - Mercruiser is the dominant player hands down. Up north, in addition to being freshwater, we also only run our boats six months out of the year, in a much cooler climate than southern boats, as a result, our drives tend to last pretty much for the life of the boat. Mine lasted 30 years with just routine service until it finally bit the dust last season. When it did go, there are so many used drives or places to have them rebuilt, that again makes it the choice over Volvo. What I wish for is that some company makes an economical fuel injection retrofit for the older engines, like companies like Holley have for older muscle cars, especially since there a lot of them still out there.

[@johnmagnan759]

I/O drivers are obsolete. Not one boat dealership in my area sells a boat with one. They are all outboard engines now.

[@BoatBuyersSecretWeapon]

Depends on the boat type and fresh/saltwater environment... Stern drives has gone way down in market share from 70K/year in early 2000 to 10K a year now... but I don't see them going away totally

[@ericneering6357]

Only in the heat exchanger, I beg to differ they gotta be sanded down the exhaust manifolds. How are they cooling the exhaust manifold with antifreeze I can’t figure out that work you need the raw water to go through the exhaust manifolds and out the exhaust so you don’t like the fiberglass on fire prove me wrong.

[@Soundsofthewood]

You install a block off plate between the manifold and mixer. The raw water goes into the mixer and out the tail pipe. The coolent flows through the manifolds back into the engine.

[@dannyv2335]

Volvo really left a sour taste with those composite drives that failed. My friends boat is beautiful but basically worthless unless those drives are replaced. 2 years ago it would’ve costed $11k to do that. Wonder how much now? It just sits under shrink wrap for the last couple of years.

[@CarnivoreFTW]

the penta 5.7 gxi alright tho? thanks man

[@garyvann4678]

Have had Both Merc B3 and VP DP. I like the VP now... 5.3 300HP 2016 in Cobalt R3 with ease of service. On 2016 VP 5.3 because it is GM based it is Direct Injected and extremely faster to plane compared to Merc that IS NOT Direct Injected with much less torque. So, I use Merc Power Tune (Valvetect Decarb) sprayed into air intake to decoke and decarb it every 25 hrs. Also Techron in each tank and Valvetect gas off the dock to prevent the dreaded carbon of Diect Injected GM aluminum blocked Gen V engines. VP does not talk about their DI motors needing to be decarbed regularly IMO .

[@anthonyspadafora1384]

Did Volvo go to the LS block and if so, when? The LS is used on everything from Corvettes to Dump trucks so it seems it could easily handle a boat.

[@bills2999]

They skipped the LS and went straight to the LT. Gen V. It always boggled my mind why Merc and Volvo never used the LS. 7 marine was a LSA which was in the Camaro ZL1 and CTS-V. They're stronger than old school big blocks and they make more power all the way around. I build high power LS's and it's not uncommon to daily a 700+hp stock rotating assembly and block. I LS swapped my boat and it's the best decision I've ever made.

[@Soundsofthewood]

​@@bills2999cost effectiveness and reliability. Having a high horsepower engine in a boat sounds cool, but having to hold a warranty on that would be a nightmare. You also have to look at the general buyer of boats. The truth is that there would be no Z06 or ZR1 corvettes if a base corvette was having a hard time selling. Well most boat buyers just want something that is reliable, decent on fuel, not loud, can do atleast 40mph. I kinda wondered why the BBC never got super performanced from the factory on boats. Well it takes a special person to want that and it's better to let a outside source do that instead of trying to make a production out of it.

[@buddymoore6504]

fun fact at one point all sbc blocks were built by MerCruiser

[@Johnnyreengo]

Can I hook a 5.7 merc to a penta outdrive?

[@ZoneTelevision]

The Penta is superior in every way. I will buy a Regal 1900 with the Volvo Penta 4.3Gxi Fuel injection all day long.

[@ZoneTelevision]

@@BoatBuyersSecretWeapon your knowledge is invaluable concise and straightforward. Thank you.

[@outyxt800]

Love this video. Did an amazing job bud. Hoping you could help out. I bought a 26’ commander with twin 165hp inline 6. I want to re power this boat. All dealers are mercury so that’s the way I’ll go. Trying to save on cost here. Should I buy two 4.5L 250hp mercury’s with bravo 3 legs or one big 8.2 mercury 430hp with bravo 3 leg? What way you think is best? Less maintenance with 1 motor but security with 2 is nice. What setup you think would be more fuel efficient?

[@Soundsofthewood]

Well the special aluminum they brag about must be junk because I see mercruisers rotted all the time.

[@rockerbigjoe5711]

I have a 98 Reinel with a 5.7L 350 with a 2 barrel. What did they do to the 350 to modify it for marine purposes running at such high rpm's?

[@jimardizoni3453]

The rotating assembly, crank, rods, pistons are higher quality forged steel. The bearing clearance are slightly different high performance car motor will work ,stock motor won't last that long .

[@researchcapt]

Just wait until you see the cost of Volvo parts.