Volvo Penta SX

[RB]

Anybody have experience with Volvo Penta SX outdrives? I am considering buying my buddies boat 2002 2101 Seaswirl Striper and I have never owned an IO always had Outboards. I prefer outboards but the price is getting harder to refuse for the package.

[kingmountain]

Very strong outdrive, although some parts are expensive. How many hours on it? What engine in front of it? Stay away from the xdp outdrive, they are junk.

[RB]

Very strong outdrive, although some parts are expensive. How many hours on it? What engine in front of it? Stay away from the xdp outdrive, they are junk.

There is an hour meter on the dash that says 300 hours but I do not think it is accurate. The way I understand it the block is a 350 and is not original, also it has been sitting for two years with nothing done to it. The air cleaner sticker says 5.0 but I am positive the guy before said he replaced it.

I am going to take it in later this week to the guys I have been going to for years and have them check it out. The biggest reason I am looking for comments is I have never owned an IO and am looking for potential pitfalls.

Also the only reason I am considering the boat is because it is under 10k

[RB]

First, yes Volvo Penta Outdrives are VERY good.  In my opinion about as good as it gets in small boats.  Second, if it s been sitting for a couple of years get it surveyed, have a reputable shop check it out, work a deal with the seller to share the cost or better yet, you pay if its clean, he pays if it isn't as advertised. 

When in doubt, verify.

If it were someone I did not know I would not be looking, but the boat belongs to one of my best friends and he just wants out of it. He bought it on an impulse about three years ago and used it twice. Even if I have to put some $ into it it seems like a really good deal. The canvas is bad, but it has a skip tower and has everything else 8hp high thrust Yamaha, GPS, Radar, Marine radio etc. I have just never worked with IO before. Going to have it checked next week.

[bloodhound]

just keep in mind pretty much every part your gonna buy for the motor and drive is gonna be double the price over what mercruiser is and its really not gonna be any better then a mercruiser. same blocks same systems for the most part.

[whacker1]

We have 400 hours on our 1998 Four Winns with a 350 pushing a Volvo Penta SX.  We have had zero problems with this drive so far in the last 10 years. 

[magnanimous_j]

My father in law runs a Volvo Penta in his Cobalt. There was a "break in" period where the thing required constant maintenance, but the last 5 years or so, it's been like a Honda Accord. Gas and go.