# Boats v. school me **URL:** \ **Category:** NYSpeed Off Topic\ **Created:** [February 2, 2008, 2:44pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/boats-v-school-me/42844 "2008-02-02T14:44:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 2\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Roush97](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/roush97/32/7424_2.png) [@Roush97](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Roush97)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2008, 10:30am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/boats-v-school-me/42844/41 "2008-02-03T10:30:54Z")
> [@JayS](#): > > I gotta give this the :bloated: > > In the size range he’s looking it would be a VP SX drive vs a Mercruiser Alpha 1. > > The SX is light years ahead of the Alpha. The Penta’s cone clutch will shift smoothly while the alpha’s cheaper dog clutch is a clunky pile of shit. Then just look at the drives. The SX is much more comparable to Mercuisers next model up, the Bravo series, but you won’t find many if any 18-20 footers with a bravo drive. > > The only reason I wouldn’t go Volvo Penta is if there wasn’t an authorized service center where I lived. Mercruiser definitely has the dealer network advantage but VP gains share each year. Not an issue at all in WNY because there are lots of places to get a VP serviced. He isn’t in WNY and thats why I said Mercruiser. I have no problem with the Penta for smaller boats but you can find Mercruiser parts anyplace in the country but you can’t say the same thing for the Penta. ---
**Author:** ![redrum](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/redrum/32/7398_2.png) [@redrum](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/redrum)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2008, 11:58am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/boats-v-school-me/42844/42 "2008-02-03T11:58:41Z")
I think slipping a boat is the way to go if you have a larger boat (24’+) with a useable cabin (head, small galley w/fridge, etc). That way you can just go hang out on it at the dock regardless of if you want to take it out. For smaller boats without a lot of space or amenities, towing could make more sense if you have an adequately large driveway/yard. [Previous page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/boats-v-school-me/42844.md?page=2)