Experience with Volvo Penta engines?

[SteveDH]

Dear all,

We're currently looking at up-sizing into a Sealine / Fairline 37/38 sports cruiser dated somewhere between 2004 and 2007, and see that these boats were fitted with a wide variety of Volvo Penta engines (KAD42's, 43's, 44's, 300's, D4's, D6's etc).

We'll only be using her on the Thames so performance is not an issue, but I'm hoping to get some advice as to which engines would be happiest and most reliable at idling river speeds, as coming from a 30ft cruiser with a small diesel on a shaft, the potential cost of keeping 2 big engines with outdrives running is a scary prospect!

What engine choice is likely to return the best reliability for our usage?

Thanks in advance!

Steve

 

[duncan99210]

You might do better reposting this to the motor boat part of the forum. Most folks on here are not familiar with the engines you’re talking about.

 

[QBhoy]

Hi
For certain, none of the above engines will ultimately do well at sustained river speeds. They aren’t designed for it at all. The only slight way you may get away with long term damage is to severely down size in pitch with the prop(s). Even then it’s perhaps a silly idea. If you o lot want river speeds, maybe look for a more sedate cruiser with river speed set up and engine.