Volvo or Cummins?

[koliver]

Though I know nothing about that particular Volvo engine (and I haven't noted anyone posting with any actual knowledge) I can tell you that in SW BC, so likely also in the PNW, Volvo parts and expertise are available. I have had a failure that required parts. The failure was due to bolt on accessories failing, so no reflection on the Volvo brand, but the downstream effects required my VP shop to source the parts, which they had no trouble doing. Mine are TAMD41s, 1990 vintage, so much the same age as what you are looking at.
I also have a Cummins ISL 400 in my Motorhome, 2007 vintage, and so far have had no reason to find out how easy parts are to find.

[ranger58sb]

Originally Posted by Blissboat

TwistedTree wrote, "lots of people won't even get past a listing description when they see a boat has Volvo engines."

Me among them. Every boater I've known who has run Volvo marine engines agrees that they won't go there again, on account of parts and reliability.

In our style of boat, the Volvo TAMD-74/75s at 480-hp each, the D9/500- and 575-hp versions, and the D12/715-hp engines are common as dirt in used/pre-owned boats.

In the 450-480 hp range, Cummins and Yanmar are common competition and each perhaps somewhat more popular. In the 715+ range, seems like builders have used MANs or sometimes MTUs.

Aside from cost of spares and so forth, Volvo hasn't gotten much bad press in that market... presumably because they're competitive with MAN and MTU supplies. I've seen mixed commentary about availability of spares; some bad, but the counterpoint has been that most everything is available from the 'net somewhere... with overnight delivery.

One Volvo area that's gotten consistently bad reviews on the sites I visit is the QL bow thruster, politely said to be a POS. (Second- and third-hand info, no hands-on experience.)

-Chris (with Cummins 450Cs, that I like)

[Nickair]

Cummins.

[Bradenvlp]

I know this wasn’t the question but a GB 46 is a LOT more boat in many ways than a 42 (I own a 42). Beyond the engine choice and singles vs twins, My experience is that the 46 is a big step up in ride, space etc. and you may not want to discount that as “all things being equal” in the engine consideration.

[Comodave]

While I have not counted the responses the consensus seems to be Cummins. There have been a few Volvo owners that have defended Volvo, although not really full hearted endorsements like “Volvo is the best” or the like. There have been Cummins endorsements like that though. There just can’t be this much Volvo smoke out there without any fire.

[Mako]

I agree that for the American market a Cummins is the preferred engine, but I disagree with the conclusions being drawn here. Blanket statements may or may not even fit in your situation. So here are my arguments, trying to be objective:

1) If it ain’t broke then don’t fix it - if your prospective boat has a nice healthy Volvo, and you use and maintain it properly, then what major parts are you expecting to replace? Pretty much none. Use the boat and enjoy it. If your mechanic determines expensive parts and service are needed during survey then get the seller to pay for it.

2) Resale will be a hundred thousand dollars lower - should be rather easy to determine the difference in asking price or selling price for your model with Volvo’s versus other brands. So offer the seller that much less and Bob’s your uncle. See that... you’ve already recouped your “loss” right up front.

However if you truly intend to go tens of thousands of miles in your new boat, then perhaps long term thoughts of overhaul should prevail. But then again, you may want to rethink if this is the correct boat in the first place for that type of cruising.

[Nickair]

I know a guy with a 42’ that has Volvo’s. He was told there are no parts available to rebuild them, therefore it would be a total with different engines if one of his Volvo engines went down. Yikes!

[boatpoker]

I had a Volvo TAMD 60B. Wonderful engine, smooth and reliable.
I would never buy another.
Parts were tough to find and shockingly expensive.
When Volvo discontinues an engine, Support stops instantaneously and parts are limited to whats in inventory that day.

[Insequent]

So the answer is clear: if you really like everything else in the boat and it has Volvo's in it, buy it at a discount and run it with normal maintenance until an engine needs parts.

Then re-power the broken engine with another brand of about the same HP, and use the busted engine as parts for the one that still works. Eventually you might end up with a double re-power. But there is also a chance that those old green things will last as long as you want to keep the boat. It depends on PO maintenance as much as anything else.

Thats the theory I tell people. It ought to work. In practice, if ever confronted with the decision I may well ran away just as fast as most folks here!

[Arc]

That’s sound logic. The problem is Volvo’s usually don’t break big. It will always be something small, expensive and hard to find. that can go on forever.

[Fletcher500]

I will say it again, Cummins! And I say that as a previous Volvo owner.

[GB42SandraK]

I have the 6cta8.3’s on my 2001 42. WOT at 2600rpms hits 20kts. We cruise comfortably at 14kts at 2100RPM and if we need to be fuel conscious 10kts at 1400rpms. Love these engines.

[Baker]

Originally Posted by GB42SandraK

I have the 6cta8.3’s on my 2001 42. WOT at 2600rpms hits 20kts. We cruise comfortably at 14kts at 2100RPM and if we need to be fuel conscious 10kts at 1400rpms. Love these engines.

I’m kinda fond of them as well!!! My boat is somewhat light and we get 21 knots with only about a 25gph fuel burn. That ain’t bad for a 41 foot boat up on plane.

[Pat T]

SandraK on the GB42: So what is your fuel consumption at 10 kts, 14 kts? Not sure I want to know what it is at 20 kts as I probably won't run there much!

[WestDave]

Hey Pat, I note the GB46 is still available on YW. Did you decide on the Cummins powered GB42 or did COVID-19 get in the way of your decision? PS I like the 46. I love the hydraulic bow thruster.

[Pat T]

WestDave - still looking. My plan was to go for the newer boat with the Cummins . Just did not want to take the chance with the Volvo. Yes that boat is still available and the price has dropped since I first saw it. Turns out the Cummins boat was sold. This is the second time I have come across brokers continuing to list boats that have already been sold, presumably to get leads.
I did make an offer on a GB42 with twin 6 cylinder CATs. But owner not negotiating and neither am I. Time is on my side. But COVID did ruin my chances on seeing another good boat back in May.

[Caphenning]

Originally Posted by Pat T

My search for a nice (mid 90's+) 42 or 46 Grand Banks CL continues. Been on 7 boats from Great Lakes to MA down to FL. First comment is I can't believe the way some of these boats have been neglected. I'm talking real bad.....but I digress.
I did come across a well kept 1995 boat with a single Volvo TAMD 102D, 428HP. Broker called it commercial grade rated for 30,000 hours. Don't know about that but guy on boatdiesel said I will have problems getting parts. I did find parts on line but wonder about 10 years down the line? Can't imagine having a chuck of money invested in a boat and not being able to get parts!

Next boat is newer 2003 and has twin Cummins 6CTA8.3M3, 450HP. Lots of power for a 42 so my fuel cost will be high but I think better for parts availability don't you think? Both engines have wet sleeves for rebuilding but does that mean you could rebuild the engines in place and not remove the engine form the boat?
Thanks.

I wouldn’t not buy either on engine reason. Both engines are fine, and parts for old Volvos are still available. It’s not a “hard to find” issue, it a ‘You pay more for" issue.

That said I would prefer the Cummins. I doubt it uses more fuel than the Volvo, it’s a more efficient engine, and you’ll use the same HP to get the same hull speed, the Cummins will just have more reserve throttle left for maneuvering and dealing with strong head winds.

In the end though, I would buy the better boat and accept which ever it came with.

You can do an inframe overhaul in either, but it’s rarely a good bargain with an engine that can be removed. I wouldn’t be concerned about overhaul unless one of them has 20,000 hours on it.

[Mike Negley]

The 42' GB with a single Cat 3208 will cruise at 12 knots and have so much room in the engine room it is hard to believe. A single engine has a lot more benefits then we probably give it credit. Not many of these were built unfortunately.

[Baker]

Originally Posted by Mike Negley

The 42' GB with a single Cat 3208 will cruise at 12 knots and have so much room in the engine room it is hard to believe. A single engine has a lot more benefits then we probably give it credit. Not many of these were built unfortunately.

How about a single Cummins at 370hp(just aligning it with your 3208 that likely has 375)?? Even more space!!

PS...I would think a 12 knot cruise in a 42 foot boat would be extremely inefficient.

[Blissboat]

Originally Posted by Mike Negley

The 42' GB with a single Cat 3208 will cruise at 12 knots and have so much room in the engine room it is hard to believe. A single engine has a lot more benefits then we probably give it credit. Not many of these were built unfortunately.

After looking off-and-on for years, I have yet to set eyes on a GB 42 with a single engine of any manufacturer, but I sure would like to! It would make the GB engine compartment so much more hospitable.

Not sure about that "cruise at 12 knots" part. I used to run a 36' GB Europa with a single 3208 natural. Lightly loaded with a clean bottom and a following breeze, it might have clawed its way partly out of the hole nearly to 12 knots, but only at WOT. It ran happily at around 8.5 knots.