www.iFourWinns.com

Guys i am not sure about the volvo 3.0 on the fourwinns im looking at buying. what is your experience with the volvo outdrives. Most people i know of that have a volvo say they would never turn back but merc has so much of the market. What do you think? What are common failures if any?

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Four winns 180 horizon

What size boat are you looking at? Do you plan on any watersports? I would say that the 3.0 is probably underpowered for most people but if you don't care much for the extra power and/or travel with 1-2 persons on board it may suit your needs. I would stick with the VP though.

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Rex
2005 210H 5.7GXI DP

Volvo all the way:

1: VP stands behind their product better than Merc
2: SX much beefier than Merc Alpha
3: VP 3.0 has the raw water pump on the front of the engine rather than in the outdrive making impeller change far easier.
4: Look at how the drives are built, Merc uses gaskets, Volvo uses o-rings.

Ask a mechanic who knows both which he would own...VP hands down.

Merc doesn't make a bad product, VP is just better (IMHO)

As to the 3.0. I own a FW 170 Freedom with a 3.0, plenty of power for a small boat. 40 mph top end and economical on fuel.

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Jvalich
http://www.badcock.com

'04 FW 288 Vista "Mental Floss"

Yes

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Thanks guys. just wondering about the longevity of the drive. My friend has the 3.0 in his glastron 175 and even with 5 of us it can get me up for wakeboarding pretty easily. I know about the waterpump and all that fun stuff. Seems like when I look on boards and talk to people they are always working on there mercruiser outdrives and I never hear about people working on there volvo drives; probably because they dont break hahaha. This board is awesome and i wanted to thank everyone in advance
Rick

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Four winns 180 horizon

Glad to be of help.

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Jvalich
http://www.badcock.com

'04 FW 288 Vista "Mental Floss"

Hi Rick, I have had my U17 for a couple of months now with the 5.0 EFI Volvo/Ford 302 with the SX drive. Performs perfectly after 10 years and it looks brand new, with regular maintenance performed these Volvo's will last a long long time.

I have never heard any unfavourable remarks about either the engines or outdrives. The one word that keeps surfacing is 'Bullet Proof".

Take Care

Bruce

Hi Rick,

I have the same motor/drive package on my 06 180 horizon. I have not had any problems or complaints @ all with the motor or drive. The one thing that I would suggest is to consider the V6 motor. For most of what I do, there is plenty of power. When I have 4-5 200# guys in the boat though, there is definitely a performance hit. While I can get up on the board, the beginners in the boat are being dragged for quite a while and have all kinds of trouble getting up... In hind sight, I wish I'd have gone with the larger motor

Jake