The older Volvo outdrives are not that different from the early Mercruisers.
The same set of people designed both. See "Iron Fist" the chaper is titled
"The Great Stern Drive Conspiracy"

-W

"Jim G" wrote in message
om...
"Tony Thomas" wrote in message
news:y2T4b.328157$Ho3.48458@sccrnsc03...
Brand of boat is not a big deal in my opinion. Find something you like.
Brand of outdrive is a big deal. Don't buy an OMC or Yamaha outdrive.
Parts and service will be a problem.
Volvo is ok but a boat that is worth $4000 is going to have an older
outdrive and the old Volvo you don't want.
Bottom line, in the price and age your talking about - stick w/
Mercruiser.
The engine will be a Chevy engine that is modified by Mercruiser. Only
parts that are truely the same is the block itself. Starter, carb,
alternator, exhaust, heads, cam are all different for marine use.

What to check - transom (back of boat) and floor for rot. Hull for
cracks.
Seats for rot. Everything work electrically to include guages. Engine
run
fine and turn about $4500 rpms wide open. Prop look good (not dinged
up).
Outdrive have water or metal in the oil. Engine have water or metal in
the
oil. Check the oil after you run the boat (not before).
Check trailer tires for rot, trailer bolts and overall trailer for rust.
If everything looks good and checks at this point - then get an
independent
inspection. They will check everything for you.

--
Tony
My boats and autos - http://t.thomas.home.mchsi.com



"Trace" wrote in message
om...
Hello,

I am ready to buy a used boat on a budget of about $4000 for my family
for fishing and fun. There are so many brands for sale in the local
paper: Reinel, Sea Swirl, Sea Ray, etc... Are there any brands to
avoid, or ones that are in good shape? Can anyone give me tips on
what to check, and how, when looking at boats? Like should I check
the outdrive, and if so, how? I saw one locally that had a "Yamaha"
outdrive. Are there any brands of outdrive to avoid? Also, there are
so many motors, Chevy, OMC, Mercruiser. What's good and bad?

Thanks for any help!

Trace


Yeah, you sure don't want one of the "old Volvo's"! My 1970 Donzi has
had a Volvo AQ250 behind it's Holman Moody 351W for 33 years... and
it's never had a problem! Never even opened the case! And that's on a
high-performance boat, that's run hard all the time.... He he!!

The older Volvo outdrives (250, 270, 280, 290) are probably the most
bullet-proof pieces of marine equipment ever built. Parts are still
available, too.