Volvo's new small block beats its 8.1 big block
10-11-2012, 05:17 PM
#22
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Yeah, I am not really worried about my 272 with 300 +/- HP in it. I was more thinking along the lines of the older 30' scarabs or the Formula SR1 292 or 311's that you see out there that have been parted for the drives, transom assm, transmissions and motors.
350 - 400 HP small blocks would seem like a nice little setup for a 60 - 65 mph boat. SBC are just so cheap to build, and I figure I put used drives and transom assemblies on my boat for about $1000 total. $5,000 to $6,000 grand total to repower a 30' scarab for 60mph is really cheap. But that is just that much more weight straining those drives.
I picture a 30' scarab with the small blocks leaving tons of room in front of the engines. Remove the back seat and slide the whole thing backwards at least 2', maybe 3'. Open up the cockpit space some more for extra seating. Might just be me due to 9 kids.... Hopefully by next summer we are back down to just our own 5, we will see.
Brian
350 - 400 HP small blocks would seem like a nice little setup for a 60 - 65 mph boat. SBC are just so cheap to build, and I figure I put used drives and transom assemblies on my boat for about $1000 total. $5,000 to $6,000 grand total to repower a 30' scarab for 60mph is really cheap. But that is just that much more weight straining those drives.
I picture a 30' scarab with the small blocks leaving tons of room in front of the engines. Remove the back seat and slide the whole thing backwards at least 2', maybe 3'. Open up the cockpit space some more for extra seating. Might just be me due to 9 kids.... Hopefully by next summer we are back down to just our own 5, we will see.
Brian
With reliable 500 HP and nearly as much TQ available with mild tuning on a re-built, marinized LS...running thru a Bravo drive...you get a terrific package. Running in twins....1000 horsepower will make a bullet out of any powerboat between 25'~35'.
10-11-2012, 09:06 PM
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Speaking of which, are there any sales figures available for the much-ballyhooed Merc 565's? I heard that package was removed from the in-water Formula 400SS demo boat from the Miami Boat Show due to disappointing performance. (No faster than a 525-powered 400SS.)
Oh - And another two thumbs-up for the Volvo/Innovation 600's. Mine are at 566 hours, with only a valve spring change at 350 hours.
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10-11-2012, 09:40 PM
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The way I look at the evolution of budget boating, the drive is the pivot point. In my plans...the boat becomes secondary to the engines and propulsion system...because that's where the money is. Once your in the Bravo arena...you broaden the power and size options. The strong LS architecture and Bravo drives...allow your expansion with twins to move easily between 25'~35'. You simply move the power and drives from boat to boat. Used Bravo 1 drives are more and more plentiful and the prices of them are approaching Alpha prices in some areas. When you consider the simplicity and strength of the LS platform along with the power they produce...not to mention the expanding availability from salvaged trucks and SUV's...you get a winning combination.
I am developing my project list for this winter on the 272. After running it next summer, I should have a better idea of what direction I want to go for the next boat on where I use it. I do know I am very interested in pursueing a small block powered boat.
Brian
10-11-2012, 10:53 PM
#26
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And Mercury is now the only significant marine manufacturer NOT producing an LS-based product... Hello? McFly??
Speaking of which, are there any sales figures available for the much-ballyhooed Merc 565's? I heard that package was removed from the in-water Formula 400SS demo boat from the Miami Boat Show due to disappointing performance. (No faster than a 525-powered 400SS.)
Oh - And another two thumbs-up for the Volvo/Innovation 600's. Mine are at 566 hours, with only a valve spring change at 350 hours.
Speaking of which, are there any sales figures available for the much-ballyhooed Merc 565's? I heard that package was removed from the in-water Formula 400SS demo boat from the Miami Boat Show due to disappointing performance. (No faster than a 525-powered 400SS.)
Oh - And another two thumbs-up for the Volvo/Innovation 600's. Mine are at 566 hours, with only a valve spring change at 350 hours.
Mercury has done a great job for the past 50 years proliferating the recreational boating industry with millions of copies of Alpha and Bravo drives. They are simple and do a good job for the most part...but...they are far from the best. In production boats that distinction goes to Volvo. I wish the used parts were more readily available or I would use their equipment. My partner has a Sea Ray 29' Amberjack w/twin Volvo Diesels running thru Volvo DP drives....I turn green every time I'm on it.
Having said all of that...do we really care whether MerCruiser builds a version of the LS platform? Especially if aftermarket equipment is available to marinize the LS and adapt it to what ever drive? I have had "Big Players" in the Offshore Business tell me that the best rigs are put together avoiding as many MerCruiser parts as possible.
Last edited by sprink58; 10-11-2012 at 10:58 PM.
10-11-2012, 10:56 PM
#27
10-11-2012, 11:00 PM
#28
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10-11-2012, 11:07 PM
#29
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I have done quite a bit of scavenging for parts and accessories for my SBC/Formula 255 project over the past 2 years. Saying that I have learned that the superior parts that I have used come from either Volvo or Marine Power. It's very obvious from a design/engineering perspective that MerCruiser does cut corners in many areas compared to these two builders.
Mercury has done a great job for the past 50 years proliferating the recreational boating industry with millions of copies of Alpha and Bravo drives. They are simple and do a good job for the most part...but...they are far from the best. In production boats that distinction goes to Volvo. I wish the used parts were more readily available or I would use their equipment. My partner has a Sea Ray 29' Amberjack w/twin Volvo Diesels running thru Volvo DP drives....I turn green every time I'm on it.
Having said all of that...do we really care whether MerCruiser builds a version of the LS platform? Especially if aftermarket equipment is available to marinize the LS and adapt it to what ever drive? I have had "Big Players" in the Offshore Business tell me that the best rigs are put together avoiding as many MerCruiser parts as possible.
Mercury has done a great job for the past 50 years proliferating the recreational boating industry with millions of copies of Alpha and Bravo drives. They are simple and do a good job for the most part...but...they are far from the best. In production boats that distinction goes to Volvo. I wish the used parts were more readily available or I would use their equipment. My partner has a Sea Ray 29' Amberjack w/twin Volvo Diesels running thru Volvo DP drives....I turn green every time I'm on it.
Having said all of that...do we really care whether MerCruiser builds a version of the LS platform? Especially if aftermarket equipment is available to marinize the LS and adapt it to what ever drive? I have had "Big Players" in the Offshore Business tell me that the best rigs are put together avoiding as many MerCruiser parts as possible.
The reason used Volvo parts arent more readily available is . . . . well . . . most are still in service
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Throttles- Cleveland Construction 377 Talon
08 OPA Class 1 National Champion
08 Class 1 Geico Triple Crown Champion
08 OPA High Points Champion
10 OPA Class 1 National Champion ( happy now Ed! )
