ffmiller77
New member
Well I am about to possibly buy a 2007 Rinker 280 Express Cruiser and have a concern. It has a 8.1L Volvo Penta engine (316 hours) with a Bravo II out-drive. It had this set up when the current owner bought it in 2014. Sounds like the dealer that was selling it, had it sent out to get the composite out-drive replaced. The shop where it was being done had a Bravo II. So they took all the volvo stuff off and then installed all the Mercruiser stuff. They said it was the much cheaper option at the time. I talked with the mechanic/shop that did it and they made it sound like no big deal, after replacing all the Volvo stuff with Merc stuff its good to go. People I have talked to have never heard of this being done. One shop here locally (Portland, Oregon) did a little research and talked to their techs and said that it can be done but you would have to take all the volvo stuff off and merc stuff being put on. But at first they were very confused haha. So I guess what I am asking is, has anyone else heard of this and would you buy a boat if it had been done. We really like the boat, and other then this one issue, its been well taken care of and is in great shape. Also, I am getting a mechanical inspection done and a marine survey. I know its random but thanks!!!
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