Volvo D3

[boatgm]

Has anyone had any experience with the Volvo D3 160 hp? We're considering installing one on a new power tri.

[FAST FRED]

Volvo has a very poor reputation due to fantastically epensive parts,
AND being very cagy (PHONY!)about power output.

BE really sure the volvo HP graphs you are looking at are for 24/7 operation , not just towing a water skier on the plane for 30 seconds.

Caviat Emptor with any Volvo!!

The John Deer is a bit heavier but at least no BS on power outout.

A rebuilt truck engine and a marinizing set will usually be lowest cost method of good reliable power.
Most cruising boats only need 40 -80 hp ( 2 to 4 gph) so most conversions wll lead a long and really EZ life.

IF the truck tranny is used (shaft thrust bearing required) you have the ability to match the output to prop loads . EG you can shift to a "higher" gear (same as overproping) to get best fuel burn at low 1200 or 1400 cruise RPM and to "lower" gear for a top speed 2300 rpm dash (at 20 gph?).

FAST FRED

[Karl2]

Fast Fred,

Not sure if you are serious here.... "AND being very cagy (PHONY!)about power output.....". What do you mean ?
BTW - The D3 is not available (As far as I can tell) in any commercial ratings.

"...The John Deer is a bit heavier ...". No kidding - "a bit heavier" - howabout more than twice as heavy ?

Truck tranny ?? Any suggestions on how lay out the prop ? Second gear ? fourth gear ? Or ? Would you recommend this for a planing boat too ?

Karl

[gonzo]

Fast Fred: that is libel. What do you base your baloney on?

boatgm: the D3 is rated from 130 to 163 crankshaft HP. The duty rating are R-3 to R-5. Parts are not more expensive than other brands; sometimes less. Fast Fred makes unsubstantiated remarks pretty often. ALL ratings are published by VolvoPenta with fuel and air temperature specified. RPM ratings are at 4000. It's 683 lbs with drive and transom shield. e-mail me if you need more information or prices.

[PowerTech]

I have no experience on the D3.But I do know That motor is not realy the best for a slow cruising try.You don't realy need a 4000 rpm buz bomb under you do you.You will love the reliability,simplicity,ease of repair,low cost and sirious low RPM torqe of a 4045t Jon Deere.I'ts a 2600 rpm motor but it gets all of it's grunt at about 1600 these things are sick.A deere will spin a huge wheel.I don't want to make it sound like a slow put put tractor motor at all these things haul ass.Does weight mater that mutch?It is 3 feet tall that is a killer some times.I understand you wanted to know about the D3 but take a look at the deere.They are now as popular to the trawler world as Ford Leman used to be.could you show a pic or two of the plans or hull.I am not knocking the D3 at all.I just think you will love the J.D. as mutch every one else does.[Truck trany come on now what is that.This dude is talking about a yacht with the posibility of instaling a high end marine motor not some Cuban refuge raft]

[Chuck Bates]

Volvo has just introduced the D3-160 with dp. Go with that. The dp will get you up on plane quicker and with double the blade on the water will improve the handling of your boat. The 160 is available with standard dp drive or the ocean series composite dp drive.

See this web link for a Regal 2250 with the D3-160:
http://www.trailerboats.com/site_pag...le_page_80.cfm

Campion boats has a comparison in the gas and diesel products, including this D3 (only shown with sp) they offer for their ALLANTE S 565 at web site:
http://www.campionboats.com/2005/all...5.php?Report=1

Doral Sunquest 200 with D3-160 test report:
http://www.sportboattest.com/detaile...e=&from_gi=Yes

[PowerTech]

I just read the last post about geting the D3 with a DP.I would think a power trymoran is not the type of boat that would have a out drive.But if your could have one don't do it any way those things were made by the devel.If you want a hapy simple reliable propultion system that could last 20 years with hardly any maintnace use a standard shaft drive.I would use a Twin Disk any time I can.

[FAST FRED]

"Truck tranny ?? Any suggestions on how lay out the prop ? Second gear ? fourth gear ? Or ? Would you recommend this for a planing boat too ?"

There are commercial two speed trannys for light plaining boats on the shelf.

For a cruising boat that will operate at just below hull speed the majority of the time , to get some usefull hp/torque at low 1200 to 1600 will require the prop to be sped up , from the normal ratio installed only for limiting top speed loading.

Some boats are rated at X hp at 2100 rpm or higher, when pulled back to say 1500 the prop is able to absorb many more HP than the engine is giving with that prop/reduction combo..

By simply speeding up the prop a bit the engine will be far closer to being properly loaded , and giving the least fuel consumption, and best speed for thast fuel burn.

MY OPINION that Volvo stinks , sucks and is QUITE dishonest comes from years of experience, personally and running a boat yard.

AS a replacement for a 2 stroke outboard 100 hours a year service , fine.

AS a main engine in a long range cruiser , for me ANYTHING elce would be preferable.

Although the Chinese Dieaels and WW2Renault stuff is in the Volvo catagory , for me!

Junk is JUNK!

FAST FRED

[Karl2]

Fast Fred,

No facts and nothing constructive - Anecdotes and fiction - Lector Emptor !

Karl

[gonzo]

Fast Fred as usual is making unfounded claims. How about the "Volvo has a very poor reputation due to fantastically epensive parts,
AND being very cagy (PHONY!)about power output." The power output is published at standard conditions, hardly phony.
What boatyard did you run? I have handled insurance claims in most yards in Florida.

[PowerTech]

"For a cruising boat that will operate at just below hull speed the majority of the time , to get some usefull hp/torque at low 1200 to 1600 will require the prop to be sped up , from the normal ratio installed only for limiting top speed loading.



By simply speeding up the prop a bit the engine will be far closer to being properly loaded , and giving the least fuel consumption, and best speed for thast fuel burn."
What does all of this mean.Speeding up the prop from normal?And limiting top speed loading?I don't think you need a 2 speed gear on a displacement hull.Those things are for helping a fast boat launch out of the hole quiker they let the motor spool up faster in first and then they bang into second and rocket you on to top speed.I am not being nasty I am just wondering what in the hell kind of crap you would stick in this poor mans bilge.I would think a 2.5:1 or 3.0:1 with a big prop would be in this boat.

[boatgm]

This boat will have a jet drive thanks for all the input

[gonzo]

Is it going to be a high speed boat? They use jets in tugs and barges too.

[boatgm]

we are lookng for 22 kts