V Drive Vs Out Drive on 310 2009

G

geoman52

New Member
Apr 28, 2009
30
Connecticut River
Boat Info
310 Sundancer 2009
Engines
Mercrusier 350 V Drive with DTS
I am considering trading up to a 310 with Mercruiser Twin-VD-350 MAG MPI HORIZON DTS (fresh water cooled engines & digital controls) propulsion system.
How tricky is the trim with a V Drive and is the loss of top end speedonly 8 mph? Are there any other trade offs? I had my fair share of corrsion issues with the Bravo III outdrive on my 240 so I would like to get away from that design.
 
V-drives are pretty simple - yes you will lose top end - my attitude is who cares - it is a cruiser not a go-fast. Cruise speeds are similar - but you will need some more rpm's to get that same speed with V's. The biggest con with V's in this size boat is bilge space. Docking with V's is easier - especially if you are in a tight spot.
 
The bottom line is I would not want I/O's in salt water unless the boat was lifted out of the water when not in use. Because of the engines being more towards the center of the boat in V-Drives they handle rough water better as well. I am in brackish water and often in salt water so outdrive models were crossed off of my list quickly.

Good luck!
 
skolbe said:
. Docking with V's is easier - especially if you are in a tight spot.
Click to expand...

I've never owned twin I/Os, but it would seem to me that ODs would be easier to dock because you would have more contrl of which way the thrust is applied....similar to the new zeus drives...which btw, control around the dock is one of it's main advantages.

OD's will be more fuel efficient than V-drives. But, with all the added maintenance and repair of ODs, that advantage could easily get lost in the shuffle.
 
osd9 said:
I've never owned twin I/Os, but it would seem to me that ODs would be easier to dock because you would have more contrl of which way the thrust is applied....similar to the new zeus drives...which btw, control around the dock is one of it's main advantages.
QUOTE]

My dad has a 290 Amberjack - with Bravo III's when I dock it - it doesn't back up as straight as V's do - you have to use the wheel. Which is fine, it is easier to adjust the V's with the shifters.
Click to expand...
 
In salt water I would go with V-drives.
Outdrives offer a slight speed and fuel milage advantage but this is offset but much, much higher maintenance and repair costs.

Plus, to me a boat with V-drives feels more like a "real boat"
and it's good training for when u get foot "itis" and get a bigger one :)
 
Grant,

The last time I told someone that i/o's didn't handle like a "real boat" it took a week for the hew and cries from the peanut gallery to subside.......but I'm with you!
 
U and I have similar taste in boats looking at our avatars. :)

Me, I don't need no stinking joystick.
Two inboards will do anything if you take the time to learn how to drive one.
And to me it's fun.

And as a yard owner, I love sterndrives (on someone else's boat). Triple outdrives are even better! $$$$$$ We have a sunseeker 48 in the shop right now with triple 502/Bravo 1's.
Let's just say he is a very, very, very, good customer.

I am suggesting he move to a cruiser with twin diesel inboards and his problems will be over. (for the most part)
 
fwebster said:
What you really need is 2-3 customers with Axius or Zeus drives and your overhead worries would be over! They alone would take care of the fixed nut.
Click to expand...

exactly
those are the "triple outdrive" boats of the future when they start running out of warranty

That is why I was trying to caution against buying a 1m boat with those. Down the road the value could really drop.
 
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