Re: 2015 R3 Volvo V8 300HP reliability?
Posted: Mon Jun 24, 2024 10:40 am
Yeah that’s what I figured, it’s just there is always so much talk about the big blocks but this boat is quite a find. Fellow passed away and the widow is selling it an extremely fair price, low hours, always professionally serviced.billk2632 wrote: Mon Jun 24, 2024 9:13 amVery happy with the 5.7 based VP-300 in my R5. We use it mainly for cruising, no water sports, but it has plenty of power for us. Jumps on plane fast with very little bowrise and runs WOT upper 40's - even with 5ppl onboard I have never felt the need for more power. As far as service and reliability, again pretty pleased - parts are a little more $$ and not as widely available as Mercury, but really not an issue. I do most of my own service and have found the routine maintenance no different than the Mercs - except the water pump impeller which is worlds easier than any of the Mercury engines. As far as the VP duoprop drive, again pleasantly surprised, I think I like it better than my Merc BIII. I've had my R5 a little over a year and while my Mercury based SeaRays were good boats - I put close to 1000hrs on both, I think the R5 with the VP is the best one yet.Noggin Ninja wrote: Mon Jun 24, 2024 8:13 amHow does your R5 do with the 300? I am pretty much set on this boat and the 232 is about 500 lbs less dry weight then the R5 I think so I’m curious how she does. This boat I’m looking at does have the 5.7 version of the 300.billk2632 wrote: Sun Jun 23, 2024 7:50 am I would check to be sure - most of the 2014 Cobalts I have seen (my marina is a Cobalt dealer, I see a lot of Cobalts and Malibus) - including my own R5 with the V8-300 have the 5.7 based engine. The Gen 5 5.3/6.2 based engines were introduced late 2014/2015. It's possible there were 2014's or even earl 2015's that could have had either engine. Besides checking the Model / Serial #, all of the Gen 5 engines are aluminum block and have closed cooling. Older 4.3,5.0, 5.7's generally were not closed cooling. Personally I would not let that change my mind on buying the boat -- the 5.7 is a solid, simple motor, VP, Merc, about every marine engine builder has used them - there are 100,000's of them in boats and millions in cars and trucks. Not really aware of problems, but the 5.3 is newer and more complex - aluminum block, overhead cam, variable valve timing and 2014/2015 would have been the first years VP used that engine...
Can only figure you will have better performance in the slightly smaller/lighter 232.
We do some water sports with the kids but nothing serious, tubing some wakeboarding and I water ski 3 times a year LOL. Our 200 Sea Ray with a 5.0 mpi and alpha one does well enough so I imagine the duo prop set up alone will be a huge upgrade for that.
Does your Volvo DP make a slight clunk when shifting into gear? The fellow selling it on behalf of this lady said he had it out and he’s used to outboards and wanted to let me know it made a very slight clunk when shifting, I’ve read it’s normal.