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Boattest.com has reviews of the Mercury at: http://www.boattest.com/engine-review/M ... 2-MAG_2013
and the Volvo at: http://www.boattest.com/engine-review/V ... 8-430_2013

After comparing the two, the Mercury is an 8.2 liter that weighs 1122lbs without the lower drive, and puts out 380 or 430 HP depending on configuration. The Volvo is a 6.0 liter block (replacing their own previous 8.1 liter block) that weighs 1115 with the stern drive, and puts out 380hp or 430hp depending on configuration.

The Volvo includes variable valve timing, and both engines bring a 6000 lb boat to plane in about the same time, and max out around 3mpg running at about 30mph. Both are modern designs with service components located near the top, and include options such as salt water stern drives and a variety of controls including digital and joystick controls.

In short, the performance is similar, with Volvo benefitting from lighter weight and variable valve timing, while the Mercury uses sheer displacement in a heavier engine to provide similar performance.

I have always been a Merc fan yet Ive heard the shifting properties of the Volvo duo prop over the Bravo III are a little smoother. This factor leans me toward the Volvo if paired in that configuration. Plus Volvo invented DP in 1982 I believe.

Last boat had 8.1 Volvo with DP.
263 coming soon has Merc w/ Bravo III counter rotating props.

Time will tell.

I'm personally not a fan of the merc elephant ear props. For how good merc makes props I would think they would make better ones for this drive.

I agree BB. The Volvo "shark fin" props certainly look meaner than the "elephant ear" Bravo.

However, I think the 8.1 Merc engine looks meaner than the 8.1 Volvo.

Matter of opinion I guess.

Start them both up without cc and Volvo wins. Sounds much meaner.
Mines has a bikini and yours has a full swimsuit

Ooooh
That will be a fun comparison!
Dealer said Merc sounded "bad to the bone" at lake Mede Friday during the startup.
Can't wait!!!!!

Big Block Power wrote: ↑Sun Aug 06, 2017 4:59 pm Start them both up without cc and Volvo wins. Sounds much meaner.
Mines has a bikini and yours has a full swimsuit

This is what the 8.1 Merc should sound like. I have the exact swim platform set up. First video is the 496HO on a 272. Second is on a 262. It is great to be able to switch it thru the prop when needed. I loved that feature on my Fountain.