Buying a second boat - need advise

A

Arnold

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Joined
Oct 14, 2003
RO Number
12330
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I'm considering getting a second boat to keep in the Delta. It would be a small boat (24'-26') single engine. I have been looking for a while and it seems that they come either with a Mercruiser Bravo 3 or a Volvo Penta Duo prop.
I'm asking your opinion on which of the two engine would be more reliable and easier to service.
Thank you.
 
According to the current issue of BoatUS magazine a 2006-2007 Vovlo 5.7L or 8.1L with XDP outdrive has issues with bellows, u-joint and gimbal bearing failures so staying away from those years and modles might save some grief. I just started adding Yamaha Ring Free Plus to my fuel this year, the plus protects from phase separation if I were to get ahold of some ethanol fuel, I think my engine low idle is smoother and doesn't stall at all. If I were getting a new boat and new engine I would research and get the best water separating fuel filter mounted where I could see it and I would talk to owners and mechanics about what fuel additive would help protect my new engine and fuel system if I were to inadvertently get ahold of ethanol in the fuel. Congrats on getting a new boat for the Delta Arnold.
 
Life is better with two (or more) boats!!!

I prefer the Mercruiser unit. More service dept's for them as well.

Enjoy! [:-pirate]
 
Why not an outboard? Very easy to service and will give you much more room in a boat that size. It would never occur to me to go I/O for your purpose. A buddy has a 25-ish Pro Line walk around in Santa Cruz with I/O and he has regretted not going outboard since the second day he took it out, and I can see why.

George
Hatteras 56MY
Boston Whaler 130 Sport
 
I like the idea of the outboard for easy maintenance and the ability to raise it out of the water when not in use. I'm going to look into that. The only problem I see is that it would make it more difficult for the kids to come aboard after swimming.
Manticore999, thank you for the offer but I'm sure that it would be more money than what I have in mind for a second boat.
 
I think an outboard is a great idea and you can still have a partial swim platform. I bought this one 10 years ago and it has held up well with a lot of use; it is teak and stainless steel tubing. I keep a piece of 1/2" marine plywood over it so the labs feet don't get caught in the teak cleats. I like the external Yamaha 10 micro water separting fuel filter and Ring Free +.
IMG_0491.JPG
 
Delta Dawg's got it. Even on my 13' Whaler, it is easy to swim and get back on with a little ladder. On a boat that size, you are going to have the outdrive on an I/O sticking out every bit as much anyway.
 
Arnold, the original Merc units had corrosion issues and the swedish item didn't. But, eventually Merc improved thier version and IMHO they are now a better unit. I would check into this for dates and if you are going to buy a used boat put this into the factor determining what you are going to buy. We had a 2001 B-3 on a Maxum and that was a bad year. We kept the boat on a lift at Village West and never had a corrison issue. Those kept in the water did. That was also the year Merc became aware of the issue and worked to fix it. We have a 2006 B-3 on a Sea Ray and it has no issues whatsoever, and appears to be quite substantial. Last year I took a short cut to home (IT was 95 with equal humidity) and I went through and oyster bed. It partially removed my keel cap and the paint on the front of the OD, but did no damage to the unit or props. That is impressive.
I also agree with the OB commments. That is a good way to go but, they sure are ugly.
 
"I also agree with the OB commments. That is a good way to go but, they sure are ugly."

I also agree w/ the O/B choice, And also that they can be UUgly. But all boats are a compromise, and this seems to be one of those... You get a lot but pay for it in looks.
 
Get yourself an Air Dock lift to store your boat on and what you get won't matter. That way you won't be limited by your I/O choice and can focus on other issues instead. That size boat will go on Air Dock quite well. A new one costs around $3k and does not require permanent installation at a dock, so if you move your boat, it is easy to take the lift with you.

Good luck getting another boat. You should have tons of inventory to look through!
 
I guess it is in the eye of the beholder. We were at the beach out here in NC this weekend, at Fort Macon on the Beaufort inlet. Literally hundreds of boats and a few ships too going back and forth, off to the various fishing grounds and barrier island beaches. I did not see one single boat under 30' without an outboard, and only a couple of I/O between 30 and 35 feet. Of course, this is salt water, and very fishing driven with the boat style of choice being center console, followed by walk around a distant second. So again, room to move inside the boat is very important, especially in boats this size range. And I think the Regulators, Southports, Gradys, Parkers, Yellowfins, Contenders, et al are some beautiful boats.
 
Where is s good place to buy a used small boat in the Bay Area?
 
quote:
Originally posted by MarcJ

Where is s good place to buy a used small boat in the Bay Area?

Click to expand...
How small? If you just need a small fishing boat you can probably find a good deal on craig's list.
 
Arnold.....are you crazy? Have you ever heard the word divorce!! Well maybe you are single or have a boating wife. If I got a second boat, my wife would make me and the dog sleep on it while in the driveway.

DBH
 
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