V Drive

[dk5252]

We just sold our 260 overnighter. We are up sizing to 28-31 ft Sea Ray. We are looking at a 1999 310 Sundancer that has V Drive. We will be boating on the Mississippi/St Croix rivers in MN/WI. What are the pros/cons of the V Drive vs I/O? Also, I have read the placement of the stuffing box is important, is the placement done differently from year to year? Any info on year/size of boat would be helpful!

 

[mquiet]

I think I have read a few different threads about this question. Search for I/O versus inboards.:smt024 As I seem to recall, the I/O is a slightly faster model and will have more room to work in the engine hatch. I also think people say that the inboards are more reliable and less work over time. The stuffing boxes are now dripless and only need work if they start to drip(could someone verify that for me).

I have the V-drives and my wife and I moved up the fall of last year. So far they are great. I am not the fastest boat, but we enjoy the ride. Bst of luck.

 

[dk5252]

Thanks for your reponse. We will continue to research

 

[StevenA]

I love my v-drives, with them being so maintenance free in comparison, I will likely always have either them or straight drives from here forward in bigger boats.

 

[tbirdvet]

Compare engine compartments between both drive systems.

 

[fwebster]

The real advantage in v-drives over outdrives is maintenance and repair risk. With outdrives you have 2 gear cases per drive running outside the boat under water with only a few seals keeping the grease in and water out. Sooner or later they fail and you have a big repair, not to mention the annual cost of pulling and servicing the outdrives.

With inboards or v-drives, all the mechanicals are inside the boat and never get near the water. They are for the most part trouble free and easy to maintain since they only need an occasional fluid change which costs a fraction of what it takes to maintain an i/o.

Inboards or v-drives also handle like a real boat.........

 

[StevenA]

The real advantage in v-drives over outdrives is maintenance and repair risk. With outdrives you have 2 gear cases per drive running outside the boat under water with only a few seals keeping the grease in and water out. Sooner or later they fail and you have a big repair, not to mention the annual cost of pulling and servicing the outdrives.

With inboards or v-drives, all the mechanicals are inside the boat and never get near the water. They are for the most part trouble free and easy to maintain since they only need an occasional fluid change which costs a fraction of what it takes to maintain an i/o.

Inboards or v-drives also handle like a real boat.........

I'm in 100% agreement with this, and everyone else I talked to before buying my 320DA with v-drives told me I would be happier in the long run with the v-drives. Nice points you brought up.

 

[tbirdvet]

I know this has been discussed to death on the advantages/disadvantages of both drives. However, the maintenance on the newer Bravo drives are not as great as many believe. In fresh water they are very reliable. I have used them for several years and have had little to no issues. The drives require maintenace every 2-3 years or ~200 hours but they also are more efficient running and have more top end speed and more working room in the engine compartment. I also like V drives but I would not rule out outdrives because of maintenace requirements.