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I still have time to change my build since it hasn’t been started yet. I chose the Volvo 430 on my build, but after test drive of the demo with the Volvo 430 I’m considering changing to the Mercruiser 430. I liked the performance and top speed of 57 but wasn’t as fond of the higher revs sports car type of sound. Anyone know how the BB Mercruiser 430hp will perform?
What do you guys think? Should I stick with the Volvo or switch to Mercruiser while I still can?

Mercruiser will have a lower cruise RPM and more off idle to midrange grunt when you're not going full sail. I am still adjusting to the differences going from BBC to an LS boat engine

Very few mercs in cobalts unfortunately. If I was buying new because I live in merc country all of our dealers put in mercs. It's nice to have the new tech in volvo. They are great engines. But there is no replacement for displacement
So the small block will get you to the wall and the big Block will get you through the wall

Big Block Power wrote: Sun Dec 19, 2021 8:17 am Very few mercs in cobalts unfortunately. If I was buying new because I live in merc country all of our dealers put in mercs. It's nice to have the new tech in volvo. They are great engines. But there is no replacement for displacement
So the small block will get you to the wall and the big Block will get you through the wall

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Well said buddy.

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Did you try the boat with a 380?

BobRae99 wrote: Sun Dec 19, 2021 11:25 am Did you try the boat with a 380?

No. They only had the factory demos you see on the videos. The Volvo 380 and 430 are virtually the same motor with slightly different tuning. The engineer I talked to said the 380 makes HP and RPMs a little quicker, and the 430 is tuned to make more total hp. They are are both 6000 rpm redline engines.

Big Block Power wrote: Sun Dec 19, 2021 8:17 am
So the small block will get you to the wall and the big Block will get you through the wall

I read between the lines...notice "block" is on capitalized on the big "Block."

Krob1114 wrote: Tue Dec 21, 2021 5:52 am

Big Block Power wrote: Sun Dec 19, 2021 8:17 am
So the small block will get you to the wall and the big Block will get you through the wall

I read between the lines...notice "block" is on capitalized on the big "Block."

Faced with the same decision, my dealer convinced me to go with the most advanced inboard marine engine on the market - 80 hours in, no regrets!

FirstStar wrote: Tue Dec 21, 2021 10:34 pm Faced with the same decision, my dealer convinced me to go with the most advanced inboard marine engine on the market - 80 hours in, no regrets!

Advanced? Does that mean Volvo?

Krob1114 wrote: Wed Dec 22, 2021 4:22 am

FirstStar wrote: Tue Dec 21, 2021 10:34 pm Faced with the same decision, my dealer convinced me to go with the most advanced inboard marine engine on the market - 80 hours in, no regrets!

Advanced? Does that mean Volvo?

Yes. Merc is still old school but good school. It's just a VVT engine. Some day maybe?

Big Block Power wrote: Wed Dec 22, 2021 7:17 am

Krob1114 wrote: Wed Dec 22, 2021 4:22 am

FirstStar wrote: Tue Dec 21, 2021 10:34 pm Faced with the same decision, my dealer convinced me to go with the most advanced inboard marine engine on the market - 80 hours in, no regrets!

Advanced? Does that mean Volvo?

Yes. Merc is still old school but good school. It's just a VVT engine. Some day maybe?

Did you get accustomed to the higher rev hum after awhile?
Im leaning toward sticking with the Volvo. The 300 extra pounds of the merc sitting in the back all the time on a boat thats already heavy is the difference for me.

That extra weight puts that swim platform closer to the water which is really nice when trying to get in and out of the water.

Did you get used to your wife always screaming in your ear? If so then you will get used to the Volvo screaming in your ear. If not get the Merc

I think Cobalt does a nice job of sound deadening the engine compartment. I came from a 2015 Monterey with a Volvo 350 (280hp) - that was a great motor but Monterey didn't do as good a job of insulation so I can't tell a big difference in sound. The Volvo 380 launches the R5 out of the water even with a full load. Fun to drive!

The VP is a better choice in every single way. Lighter, quicker, modern, fuel efficient, easy to winterize. Painful to listen to…
Saying that, I wish I went with the old school Merc. The Merc operates at a lower RPM.
No buzzing, super annoying RPM and just sounds much better.