Boats with Volvo Penta power and outdrive

[charred1]

Hey all! Been on a quest for a new to me boat. As of late, I have come across several Eliminator 236 XP Eagles that have 8.2l GSI Volvo Penta engines with the DP DuoProp out drives. I am only familiar with the Mercs and Bravos. From my limited research, the VP platform wasn’t really the power of choice of the west coast builders in the late 90’s early 2000’s. Yet, here I am looking at 3 different Eliminators with VP power. So what’s the low down with the Volvos? Should I run away? Thanks for the insight!!
Mike

 

[BigAl96]

Motor wise, they are extremely similar to the merc motors, albeit a bit harder to get parts for. Having a hose hookup in the bilge to run the boat out of water is way nicer and safer than using muffs.

I don't know a ton about the duo prop, other than they are supposed to be a lot smoother shifting than the bravo 3. And volvo puts the dp on large cruisers weighing 15k plus pounds, behind the 420hp 8.1 and their diesels.

I will say I had an sx drive behind a 5.0l in my old boat, and while the boat itself sucked, the motor and drive were great. Supposedly the sx and duoprop are a stronger drive with larger clutches and way bigger gearsets than the bravo 1 and bravo 3.

If my boat stayed in a slip long term or year round I'd be hard pressed NOT to run the volvo drive, as due to their design, a torn bellows won't sink your boat.

 

[FreeBird236]

Hey all! Been on a quest for a new to me boat. As of late, I have come across several Eliminator 236 XP Eagles that have 8.2l GSI Volvo Penta engines with the DP DuoProp out drives. I am only familiar with the Mercs and Bravos. From my limited research, the VP platform wasn’t really the power of choice of the west coast builders in the late 90’s early 2000’s. Yet, here I am looking at 3 different Eliminators with VP power. So what’s the low down with the Volvos? Should I run away? Thanks for the insight!!
Mike

I think Eliminator was trying to save people money, because even in those days Merc was raising prices. I've heard the same thing about quality, the engines are basically the same, but the drives are stronger and very reliable. Probably a little less top end with the duo prop than the Bravo I but should be great for cruising and water sports and should still run at least 65. The 236 is very stable and doesn't have any weird quirks under about 80mph. Not sure if you can keep the drive and use a single prop for more top end. Top end is overrated anyway. My 236 with a 496 HO bravo 1x and 24 or 26 4 blade B1 does 73-76, I haven't had it at those speeds for quite a few years. I cruise between 35-50 and occasionally take it up to 60-65, you may be different. One last thing a 236 which is the same as the 25 doesn't have the deepest V so might not be the best in really bad chop but does very well on most day and is very easy to drive and planes quick.

 

[69hondo]

@Bigbore500r can chime in. I think he has the Volvo duo.
My step dad has the volvo package (not duoprop) in his boat and it has been flawless since 2005.

 

[gqchris]

My Larson Deck boat had the Volvo, and I LOVED IT. Was flawless and the shifting was like butter compared to a bravo.

They over engineer all their stuff, but its a good thing. I wouldn't let one stop me from buying it in a boat I liked!

 

[Ziggy]

@SummitKarl upgraded his VP outdrive with a custom made output shaft that allowed him to use a Mercury prop. Went from a very limited choice of props to a plethora to match the power in front of it.

 

[charred1]

@SummitKarl upgraded his VP outdrive with a custom made output shaft that allowed him to use a Mercury prop. Went from a very limited choice of props to a plethora to match the power in front of it.

Would be interested in hearing from him.
A few of the complaints I have read online regarding the duoprop is the cost to replace the props…each prop is about $1000.

 

[BigAl96]

Would be interested in hearing from him.
A few of the complaints I have read online regarding the duoprop is the cost to replace the props…each prop is about $1000

Prop selection, especially on fast higher hp boats is very limited. Someone could probably make decent money producing a customized prop shaft or adapter that allowed use of bravo props.

If you look at the gears side by side, the sx gears are closer in size to xr gears than regular b1 gears. Also I want to say the sx and dp both use the same uppers and only the lower unit changes

 

[Bigbore500r]

@Bigbore500r can chime in. I think he has the Volvo duo.
My step dad has the volvo package (not duoprop) in his boat and it has been flawless since 2005.

My boat has the Volvo DPX_A drive, it works great but its discontinued and if it breaks its gonna be $$$$ and hard to find parts for.....

The DPX was volvo's high performance package they came out with in the late 90's / early 2000's, has initegrated dual-ram hydraulic steering and some other trick shit. They didn't selll alot of them, as they were expensive. They offered a 415HP, 500HP and 600HP package.

The lower unit was supposedly designed for speeds up to 95mph. There's only 4 prop sizes available for it, but there are a few ratio lower units out there to alter the drive ratio.

Some say they are stronger than a bravo, some say the aren't.....they do shift real nice, and dock manners are awesome with the dual prop.

Mine's been great, but I don't wanna talk about it and jinx it . . . . just keep moving people......

 

[mesquito_creek]

I have had 3 Volvos, 3 mercurys…. Everything about the VPs when it comes to maintenance and repairs is easier and better engineered.

Wet shift cable no shift bellow = VP
Main bellow replacement = VP
Drive seals = VP
Water impellar = VP (can replace on the water)
Oil cooler location =VP
Drive removal = VP ( 2 pins no gasket, no fking water pickup o ring, no shift cable nonsense)

 

[counterpart7]

My boat has the Volvo DPX_A drive, it works great but its discontinued and if it breaks its gonna be $$$$ and hard to find parts for.....

View attachment 1381463

The DPX was volvo's high performance package they came out with in the late 90's / early 2000's, has initegrated dual-ram hydraulic steering and some other trick shit. They didn't selll alot of them, as they were expensive. They offered a 415HP, 500HP and 600HP package.

The lower unit was supposedly designed for speeds up to 95mph. There's only 4 prop sizes available for it, but there are a few ratio lower units out there to alter the drive ratio.

Some say they are stronger than a bravo, some say the aren't.....they do shift real nice, and dock manners are awesome with the dual prop.

Mine's been great, but I don't wanna talk about it and jinx it . . . . just keep moving people......

What boat is this on and with what power?

 

[Bigbore500r]

What boat is this on and with what power?

28’ warlock sxt, 415hp. It’s a 502 EFI motor

 

[Warlock1]

I had a four winns back in the 90s with a 302 and a king cobra drive. Never an issue and it shifted so smooth...

 

[Bigbore500r]

I will say, having a Merc is like having a Polaris Rzr - everybody has parts and works on them, no matter where you go.

Volvo parts and service are harder to find. You break something on a holiday weekend, or need a simple part like a fuel pump - it can been a PITA to find parts or a shop that is willing / able to get you back on the water.

I've had luck doing the footwork myself - cross referencing Volvo part numbers for fuel pumps / etc to find something comparable that somebody has in stock. But it can be alot of work and some stuff you aren't gonna get easily in a pinch.

Props, parts, support for west coast (havasu and surrounding areas) - Merc is much easier

 

[Thunderhead1]

I had a four winns back in the 90s with a 302 and a king cobra drive. Never an issue and it shifted so smooth...

KingCobra is an OMC different than VP.

 

[HBCraig]

A food friend of mine has a 650 HP with a Volvo duo prop. He loves it. Gets on plane in a hurry
Conquest deck boat.
I've been told the drives can handle big HP

 

[Deckin Around]

In 2005 the VP had a 6 year warranty vs merc was 2 or 3 when my dad purchased, that's the reason he went VP. There wasn't a price difference I believe. It has been almost flawless for 20 years.

 

[Mototrig]

Wish BoatDoc Gary were around to chime in. He was a wealth of knowledge on the old Aquamatic's.