Am I asking too much?

[Big Block Power]

If you are within $3k on a R8 Surf, pay the $3K and don’t look back. Look at it this way. If you keep the boat for 5 years it’s only $50 per month!

I guess what's 3k on a 250k boat? You will spend that on gas the first year. Do it!

LOL, so true.
As much as the VP doesn’t have the same sound and soul as the 502, it’s just crazy efficient on gas.

I would demand Cobalt to offer the 502 and the B4. We all saw the pictures and the article from Merc! I really think with this engine and dive package it would be the bomb with the extra weight! I would even pay a extra 3k for 430 horses of bb power!

[Tuscany]

If…
My next boat will have a Merc, period.
I simply HATE the high RPM of the 6.2L at a cruising speed.
Drives me nuts.

[dustinm]

If…
My next boat will have a Merc, period.
I simply HATE the high RPM of the 6.2L at a cruising speed.
Drives me nuts.

I hear you. Defiantly a big difference coming off a big block to get used to an added 1000rpm to run the same speed.

[CobaltDeadHead]

If…
My next boat will have a Merc, period.
I simply HATE the high RPM of the 6.2L at a cruising speed.
Drives me nuts.

What drives you nuts about it? Just the sound?

My understanding is the modern VPs outperform Mercs by most metrics. Better hole shot, greater efficiency etc.

I have a 350 MAG on my boat. Zero experience with VP to compare it to

[Snowman8]

If…
My next boat will have a Merc, period.
I simply HATE the high RPM of the 6.2L at a cruising speed.
Drives me nuts.

What drives you nuts about it? Just the sound?

My understanding is the modern VPs outperform Mercs by most metrics. Better hole shot, greater efficiency etc.

I have a 350 MAG on my boat. Zero experience with VP to compare it to

They just rev higher and seem to sound louder, I had a Merc 350 mag in my last boat and I don’t think that engine was much if any quieter than my VP380 at WOT or cruising. Just me I guess. The VP feels like it has a lot more mid range and probably a better hole shot than the Merc’s. If Merc would use some newer tech in their engines with VV timing then they would be leaps & bounds faster than the VP! I am not saying I like the VP better and if I were to order a new boat it would have a Merc in it but I really don’t have any complaints about the VP. Really my only big complaint about the VP is the stupid location for the trim fluid reservoir!

[dustinm]

If…
My next boat will have a Merc, period.
I simply HATE the high RPM of the 6.2L at a cruising speed.
Drives me nuts.

What drives you nuts about it? Just the sound?

My understanding is the modern VPs outperform Mercs by most metrics. Better hole shot, greater efficiency etc.

I have a 350 MAG on my boat. Zero experience with VP to compare it to

They just rev higher and seem to sound louder, I had a Merc 350 mag in my last boat and I don’t think that engine was much if any quieter than my VP380 at WOT or cruising. Just me I guess. The VP feels like it has a lot more mid range and probably a better hole shot than the Merc’s. If Merc would use some newer tech in their engines with VV timing then they would be leaps & bounds faster than the VP! I am not saying I like the VP better and if I were to order a new boat it would have a Merc in it but I really don’t have any complaints about the VP. Really my only big complaint about the VP is the stupid location for the trim fluid reservoir!

I believe he is referring to having a big block vs small block which is all VP offers now. The big blocks have a lot more low end torque and are geared accordingly. I notice it from my old 7.4 to new 5.3 its at least a 1000rpm difference at the same mph.

Our friend Dane has also found when running his BB R7 with another of his friends LS R7 that Dane did not use as much fuel as the LS did. Maybe Dane can jump in here. I will believe although the BB has more displacement being able to run lower RPMs more than makes up for this disadvantage.

[jhnmdahl]

If…
My next boat will have a Merc, period.
I simply HATE the high RPM of the 6.2L at a cruising speed.
Drives me nuts.

Take a ride in one of those Yamaha twin engine boats that seem to be everywhere these days. It's like being pushed by a couple jet skis wide open.

[CobaltDeadHead]

Thanks for the responses guys. Interesting to read. I have a unique setup on my 24SX. The 350 Mag has a straight through hull exhaust. No ability to switch to through the outdrive. So, it's loud as hell all the time. Sounds cool for sure, but certainly wouldn't mind a bit quieter ride sometimes. I didn't realize that Merc big blocks were quieter than VP. Only boat I owned prior had a Honda outboard, so I don't have a point of comparison

[Snowman8]

What drives you nuts about it? Just the sound?

My understanding is the modern VPs outperform Mercs by most metrics. Better hole shot, greater efficiency etc.

I have a 350 MAG on my boat. Zero experience with VP to compare it to

They just rev higher and seem to sound louder, I had a Merc 350 mag in my last boat and I don’t think that engine was much if any quieter than my VP380 at WOT or cruising. Just me I guess. The VP feels like it has a lot more mid range and probably a better hole shot than the Merc’s. If Merc would use some newer tech in their engines with VV timing then they would be leaps & bounds faster than the VP! I am not saying I like the VP better and if I were to order a new boat it would have a Merc in it but I really don’t have any complaints about the VP. Really my only big complaint about the VP is the stupid location for the trim fluid reservoir!

I believe he is referring to having a big block vs small block which is all VP offers now. The big blocks have a lot more low end torque and are geared accordingly. I notice it from my old 7.4 to new 5.3 its at least a 1000rpm difference at the same mph.

Our friend Dane has also found when running his BB R7 with another of his friends LS R7 that Dane did not use as much fuel as the LS did. Maybe Dane can jump in here. I will believe although the BB has more displacement being able to run lower RPMs more than makes up for this disadvantage.

I know what he’s talking about. I’ve owned many old Ford trucks with 460 BB in my past and I loved every one of them! But it’s still old technology vs new. The new engines will make the same if not more HP and torque as the old big blocks but they just need to rev a little more. I don’t know anyone that has found HP/Torque curves published by VP and I bet it’s because they don’t make the power in the low RPS’s that Merc does but I bet the VP makes more in the mid range and WOT because of the variable valve timing. Plus the VP is lighter and a lighter boat will win the race over the same HP in the heavier boat. With all of that being said I still am a Merc fan but I own a VP.. If I had the choice at purchase of identical boats with VP or a Merc I would have a black engine in my shed!

[Big Block Power]

Thanks for the responses guys. Interesting to read. I have a unique setup on my 24SX. The 350 Mag has a straight through hull exhaust. No ability to switch to through the outdrive. So, it's loud as hell all the time. Sounds cool for sure, but certainly wouldn't mind a bit quieter ride sometimes. I didn't realize that Merc big blocks were quieter than VP. Only boat I owned prior had a Honda outboard, so I don't have a point of comparison

Is not a matter of quieter. But yes my volvo is lost than my mercs were. Just because the easy the exhaust gets to the drive. Ok What they are talking about is the high rpm whine noise from the VP vvt engine. They turn almost 1000 rpms more. It's just something people aren't used to. It's like when you went from a 4 speed trans in a car to a 8 speed trans. It's just so diff.

[CobaltDeadHead]

I guess I just don't ever see myself caring about the RPM numbers. It's just a number on the tach. If one engine performs better out of the hole, through the midrange and WOT, while also being more fuel efficient (not that efficiency is a big concern of mine, it's just a bonus) then that seems like the better choice. I guess that's why what would appear to be 80% of used and new Cobalts on the market since about 2014 are VP vs Merc.

Are their other reasons?

[Big Block Power]

I guess I just don't ever see myself caring about the RPM numbers. It's just a number on the tac. If one engine performs better out of the hole, through the midrange and WOT, while also being more fuel efficient (not that efficiency is a big concern of mine, it's just a bonus) then that seems like the better choice. I guess that's why what would appear to be 80% of used and new Cobalts on the market since about 2014 are VP vs Merc.

Are their other reasons?

No it's because Cobalt doesn't like Merc as Merc owns SeaRay which is a direct competition. Look at the surf model no Merc B4
option. Other manufacturers are using it and it was R&D on a Cobalt. Even in the OB world Cobalt will mount a Yamaha to a stock order. I agree for the most part that VP Sterndrive is way out frt. But the BB has its place and needs. Until we personally line up apples to apples vp vs merc in a 430 and a 380 in a surf and reg bowrider we really don't now. All we do is take a magazine and a brochures word for it all. If you want low end grunt with a loaded boat and surfing or watersports I'm going BB. If all you do is cruise around going from this part of the lake to that part of the lake VP. I will say my old BB was just about as efficient as a r7 VP. Performance I don't think was fair as I don't weigh as much but is what it is.

[CobaltDeadHead]

Interesting

I wonder if the no BB Merc B4 option comes back to bite Cobalt. Maybe some folks select other brands that offer it. I guess it's a calculated risk, but I don't see Cobalts decision really harming the bottom line if Merc / Sea Ray all that much.

[Big Block Power]

Interesting

I wonder if the no BB Merc B4 option comes back to bite Cobalt. Maybe some folks select other brands that offer it. I guess it's a calculated risk, but I don't see Cobalts decision really harming the bottom line if Merc / Sea Ray all that much.

I could be wrong but I think Regal, Crownline and Chap all offer it and yes I'm sure they lose some. As of right now where every boat is sold I'm sure they don't care.
Hopefully we will see BU bring over the Monsoon engine packages!

[CobaltDeadHead]

Here's a thought for those who like their R7, but not their VP. Instead of buying a new boat with BB, why not just repower with a beautiful blue Merc 520 with B3XR?

Is that even possible? Or are the transom mounts for the outdrives just too different between Merc and VP thus forcing you to repower with the same brand?