Monsoon Engines

[NautiGirl]

The Chat is slacking - Cobalt Officially announced Monsoon Engines offerings and not even a thread.

A lot of overlap with the Volvo Penta Line - makes sense they are both based on Gen 5 GM Blocks. A 5.3 and a 6.2 option similar HP Numbers to VP.

Malibu developed Monsoon Engines - so that explains a lot of this - Cobalt is now advertising this as an end to end supply chain solution. They own the powerplant development and the boat build so the total supply chain and can in theory better tailor the powerplant to the boat. I assume using monsoon engines also represents a cost savings over buying from VP or Merc, which I am sure Cobalt will pass on to their customers....

I am curious how long until they stop offering Merc options, an assumption on my part, but I don't see how that isn't coming. Merc is owned by Brunswick, who owns SeaRay, I cant see them continuing to offer a competitors product now that they have their "own" engine options.

What do we all think? Excited? Dont care? Really think a big block is still the best way to power a boat so hope Merc stays forever?

[billk2632]

I like my VP engine, I also liked the Mercruisers I had in other boats. Some of the marinization that is done on the Monsoon engines looks nice (watching the video about it). My question is which outdrive will they use - I hear VP is not allowing them to use their drives, but Merc is?
However, I keep my boat at a marina that is also a Cobalt/Malibu dealer and I have yet to see a Cobalt with a Monsoon engine in it.

[NautiGirl]

I like my VP engine, I also liked the Mercruisers I had in other boats. Some of the marinization that is done on the Monsoon engines looks nice (watching the video about it). My question is which outdrive will they use - I hear VP is not allowing them to use their drives, but Merc is?
However, I keep my boat at a marina that is also a Cobalt/Malibu dealer and I have yet to see a Cobalt with a Monsoon engine in it.

From what I have heard, they are using Merc Drives. Bravo 3's or 3x's for the standard drives and the newly announced Bravo 4 for the forward facing surf boats.

Doesn't surprise me that you haven't seen one yet, they are not an option on the design your dream section of the cobalt site and the announcement was just earlier this week.

Some cool features, the ability to bump the throttle in 250rpm increments is cool. Auto Trim lowering the drive when u shutoff the engine then going back to a preset is cool.

Options are good I guess.

[jhnmdahl]

Everything I've seen on paper suggests that they're engineered well and the features/performance numbers look good, but I still like the idea of an engine and outdrive from a big, established company where I know there will be plenty of parts and service shops for my engine around in 10 or 20 years.

Then again, maybe they'll catch on with other manufacturers too, and become the third major sterndrive brand.

[CobaltDeadHead]

I would rather they offer Ilmor if they feel they need to offer a third

[NautiGirl]

I would rather they offer Ilmor if they feel they need to offer a third

Malibu doesn't own Illmor, they do however own Monsoon....so.......its all Malibu's fault?

[jhnmdahl]

I would rather they offer Ilmor if they feel they need to offer a third

Malibu doesn't own Illmor, they do however own Monsoon....so.......its all Malibu's fault?

I think this is 100% it. They want to keep the profit from manufacturing the boat engine in-house instead of helping keep Mercury and Volvo Penta in business - a classic vertical integration move. At least they seem to be decent engines.

[NautiGirl]

I would rather they offer Ilmor if they feel they need to offer a third

Malibu doesn't own Illmor, they do however own Monsoon....so.......its all Malibu's fault?

I think this is 100% it. They want to keep the profit from manufacturing the boat engine in-house instead of helping keep Mercury and Volvo Penta in business - a classic vertical integration move. At least they seem to be decent engines.

They do look like decent engines, but now that BBP let me in the Big Block club I can't go back to a small block. It's like the mafia once you are in the only way out is death. If I purchased a small block boat I would have to go into federal witness protection. Its true.

[CobaltDeadHead]

I would rather they offer Ilmor if they feel they need to offer a third

Malibu doesn't own Illmor, they do however own Monsoon....so.......its all Malibu's fault?

I think this is 100% it. They want to keep the profit from manufacturing the boat engine in-house instead of helping keep Mercury and Volvo Penta in business - a classic vertical integration move. At least they seem to be decent engines.

Sure. Limits serviceability though and probably parts availability too. I'm sure the dealerships would like that.

I definitely get the business thought behind it.

[CBO]

They do look like decent engines, but now that BBP let me in the Big Block club I can't go back to a small block. It's like the mafia once you are in the only way out is death. If I purchased a small block boat I would have to go into federal witness protection. Its true.
[/quote]

The Big Block club looks to be dwindling, Big Block Power has his boat on FB for sale.

[NautiGirl]

The Big Block club looks to be dwindling, Big Block Power has his boat on FB for sale.

Chadwick isn't selling that boat.

[stifflkd]

Looks like a VP package with a different label. Outside of the big ass alternator (do you really need 250 amps?) there is no real differences. Disappointed that the drain access is deep down in the bilge and no flush ports.

[NautiGirl]

Looks like a VP package with a different label. Outside of the big ass alternator (do you really need 250 amps?) there is no real differences. Disappointed that the drain access is deep down in the bilge and no flush ports.

No way, Cobalt told me the powerplant was tailored to their exact hull and boat design creating a perfect power package. It was in the video.

[stifflkd]

So what makes this power plant specific to their hull design?

[NautiGirl]

So what makes this power plant specific to their hull design?

Sigh...I was joking....its a Gen 5 GM, just like VP.

What makes it specific to the hull design is the fact that Monsoon is owned by Malibu and I have to believe its cheaper for them to source GM Blocks and do the Marinization in house instead of buying from VP or Merc.