I would steer well clear of volvos and anything that is light, electronic and fast spinning if you plan on going anywhere away from service centres.
Heavy, basic and slow is good for reliability.
Nothing runs like a Deere.
[Lugger]
"Luggers, are simply (sic) marinized farm tractor engines."
Really?
I had always heard they were marinized Japanise earth moving engines.
In my experience in the last 15 years at a marine company that had both John Deeres and Volvos in their 10 boat fleet, 2 of the Deeres needed rebuilding while the Volvos didn't. The Volvos were in a couple boats that I would say got even harder use in salvage and tow operations than the Deeres.
I wouldn't say the Volvos were better engines from that limited set of statistics....
But so many legends that have been born in the boating business seem to fall by the wayside the more experience and time working in the business....meaning Deeres are far from "bulletproof".
I think they are both good engines... but so are almost all the other big names....that's how they got to be big names.
And yes, things like customer support and parts and legacy support and price point all factor in.
But a lot of that can depend on you and your boats operating area too.
That's sounds like a very scientific comparison. No model numbers, HP ratings, service logs or any other points of comparison. If I'm picking an engine for long haul continous rpm running, think I would look to comparable use applications.
Ted
Here is an article that suggests Lugger took a bit of umbrage when a Lugger was called a Deere!
Lugger diesel -- on John Deere block -- powers Nordhavn 40 - Ocean Navigator - January/February 2003
Remember Ted...I didn't say they weren't good engines...but certainly not the bulletproof legend, part time boaters want to think them as above all others.
I also had a guy who is an expert in gensets say his opinion as he got to see more of them dropped significantly for some of their design features.
These engines I was comparing were in 40-80 foot work vessels...tugs and crew boats that do a variety of missions. all underway the vast majority of the year.
As to make and models...sure..all makes have had bad models...the 2 Deeres that needed rebuilding...one was in the 300-400hp class and the other up in the 600-800hp class....I cant remember the models from memory.
The Volvos were of comparable classes just being in different but similar type workboats.
Don't take offense...if I needed to replace my engine...a Deere would be in the running...
They do have a good reputation....I just know it is not mythical. If they were that much better, everyone would be buying only them.
My point is not that Deeres aren't good, but other engines aren't necessarily as bad as some "boaters" might have "personal" experience with.
Some Luggers are Toyotas.
This is the least objective thread I've seen in a long time.
B & B, said mechanic and I were discussing the D4 Volvos(fitted to a Sealine 37) today. His main concern is that servicing the cooling side is much more critical than other engines, also commented on the rpm required to produce the hp, out of less cubic capacity than say, Cummins.
Riviera, and I think Maritimo, fit a lot of Volvos. They are quite common here.
please make your second post about anchors.
A big concern is also parts and service availability where you keep the boat.
Cost a mate running a trading vessel a fortune to maintain and repair in a relatively remote area where every bit of machinery is cat, cummins, komatsu and kubota.
So much so that he found it cheaper to scrap his newish electronic vulva's and replace with a pair of low tech cats before he was sent bankrupt.
That's sounds like a very scientific comparison. No model numbers, HP ratings, service logs or any other points of comparison. If I'm picking an engine for long haul continous rpm running, think I would look to comparable use applications.
Ted
The reality is they are all good, just minor degrees of differences in the level of good and the appropriate applications for the engines.
Here is an article that suggests Lugger took a bit of umbrage when a Lugger was called a Deere!
Lugger diesel -- on John Deere block -- powers Nordhavn 40 - Ocean Navigator - January/February 2003
You have a boat working in the Solomon islands with local crew who have very different ideas on how to treat an engine.This story is either made up or your "mate" is a total idiot.
Is there any truth to the often heard comment that Volvo parts are more expensive than say Perkins parts?
Engine sales are driven by the boat manufacturers' purchasing decisions. If the Volvo is $1,000 US cheaper than the equivalent Perkins, etc, than the Volvo may be installed.
My suspicion is that Volvo may sell a less expensive engine to the boat manufacturer and make its profit on the replacement parts sales.
When I was about 13 my dad bought a 40 year old John Deere tractor (we had a 60-acre horse farm). I learned how to drive it before I learned how to drive a car. I am now pushing 60. That tractor was given to one of my cousins. His son is now using it, and it still runs just fine.And how many 50 year old farm tractors have you seen still going strong!