volvo saildrive

[reeses]

Can anyone tell me anything about Volvo saildrive problems. I know about the Yanmar, but what about the Volvo?

[Giulietta]

The problem with Volvo is not the Saildrives..it's the expensive maintenance, the authorized robbery done with spare parts, and some hard to get parts.

There are thousands of boats with Volvo saildrives and there are not that many known issues..Saildrives require extra care with zinc management..that is all.

But generally speaking the problems with Volvo Saildrives is far less known than with Yanmar. Yanamr engines are better.

Volvo's are not marine engines, from scratch, they are land engines that were marinized.

Mind you, Yanmar has no problems with Saildrives either, now.

They did get a few issues, as was reported by some Tartan owners, (but so far it was not concluded whose fault it was one side claims bad maetal quality, the other claims poor installation)..I did have an issue too, but it was solved by Yanmar, and it was found out why I had problems..since my installation was fully done by Yanmar, they assumed everything.

They do require proper galvanic insulators, and periodic zinc replacements.

If you plan on cruising, do not go with a saildrive

[reeses]

I will be using the boat for mostly weekending on the Chesapeake. The volvo is on the Tartan 3400 I have been looking at( I thought it was a Yanmar.) Overall, is it that much of a negative? I assume the Volvo parts would be relatively available on the East Coast US.
Thanks

[Giulietta]

no, absolutely not

Its a good engine, and a good saildrive on a good boat..don't worry too much.

Just find out what is the periodicity of zinc replacement.

Like I said, the only problem with Volvo is the cost of spares