Deciding between a Mooney Ovation and Beech Debonair need thoughts and experience, similarly equipped

[Jetman]

I am looking to buy into a partnership. My two best options are mooney Ovation (1999) and a Beech Debonair (1962).

Both aircraft are equipped well and have similar radio setups etc. My wife thinks the mooney is to cramped, I say she won't be in it as long.

I would like the feedback of the group with any ownership experience from each. The money difference is relative to the valuation 65,000 for the beech

and 110,000 for the mooney.

Thanks!

 

[carusoam]

The O is a real traveling plane…

built in modern times… with modern technology… and modern materials…

 

If your finance administrator only sees the size….

is she not going to notice the 1960s?

 

Side by side comparison….

if she selects the 1960s… over a nice cabin that is too small….

 

It could be the huge price difference that is really important to her…

The Ovation is pretty much the top tier for Mooneys

The deb isn’t the top tier for brand B is it?

Thinking out of the box on this one…

If that doesn’t work…

Lets discuss speeds and engines… 

Go O!

Best regards,

-a-

[201er]

10 minutes ago, Jetman said:

I am looking to buy into a partnership. My two best options are mooney Ovation (1999) and a Beech Debonair (1962).

Get your own Mooney Ranger instead.

[carusoam]

Select the best partners,  and see what plane they have….  

I bet partners in a 1960s bird are different than partners in a near new millennium bird…

How many partners do you get with them?

-a-

[GeeBee]

Actually the Ovation cabin is 1/2 inch wider than the Beech cabin. The Beech cabin however is taller and that is what she feels, but how much headroom do you need? Elbow room is what counts.

I love Beechcrafts, I used to work for a Beechcraft dealer. From Skippers to KingAirs, I've flown them all and they are beautifully crafted and well behaved airplanes. However, the maintenance, especially on the center section can be big dollars. I don't know why Beechcraft has always struggled with spar attachments, and center sections, but they have. The current 500 hour inspection on the center sections is onerous. Add in wing bolt problems and it gets real. In Bonanzas you have to get beyond about 1991 models to get clear of that jungle. For that reason, as well as performance I chose an Ovation.,

[Mufflerbearing]

I own a 1999 Screaming Eagle, which is basically an Ovation 3.  I can't imagine flying anything else.

In the world of airplanes, the 1999 is practically brand new.  The 1960's, not so much.

[StevenL757]

23 minutes ago, Jetman said:

I am looking to buy into a partnership. My two best options are mooney Ovation (1999) and a Beech Debonair (1962).

Both aircraft are equipped well and have similar radio setups etc. My wife thinks the mooney is to cramped, I say she won't be in it as long.

I would like the feedback of the group with any ownership experience from each. The money difference is relative to the valuation 65,000 for the beech

and 110,000 for the mooney.

Thanks!

There’s really little comparison.  The Ovation beats the Deb in nearly all areas…range, ceiling, cruise speed, cabin area.  The Deb does have a bit more useful load, but you’ll have a bit more dispatchability with the Ovation…particularly one with known ice capability and oxygen installed.

Not sure where you’re coming up with a 110k valuation for an Ovation.  Sounds more like a well-equipped “J” than an Ovation.

[carusoam]

Does your finance administrator appreciate powerful sports cars?

A ride in a Screamin’ Eagle is a blast! 

Or Standing Ovation…

Or O3…

 

The Ovation is kind of like a Corvette… only much more roomy feeling.

And has a better power to weight ratio than the Chevy….

-a-

[Steve Dawson]

1 minute ago, StevenL757 said:

There’s really little comparison.  The Ovation beats the Deb in nearly all areas…range, ceiling, cruise speed, cabin area.  The Deb does have a bit more useful load, but you’ll have a bit more dispatchability with the Ovation…particularly one with known ice capability and oxygen installed.

Not sure where you’re coming up with a 110k valuation for an Ovation.  Sounds more like a well-equipped “J” than an Ovation.

It's a partnership so its half of the cost of the plane. 

What's your mission with the plane? Travel for work and often or just out for a Saturday hamburger? 

[carusoam]

@StevenL757 I think the prices are per share…

But don’t know if they are both 50/50 between two partners…. Or more…

-a-

[StevenL757]

5 minutes ago, Steve Dawson said:

It's a partnership so its half of the cost of the plane. 

What's your mission with the plane? Travel for work and often or just out for a Saturday hamburger? 

 

4 minutes ago, carusoam said:

@StevenL757 I think the prices are per share…

But don’t know if they are both 50/50 between two partners…. Or more…

-a-

Thanks…sorry, I missed the “partnership” piece by the OP.

@Steve Dawson, mission was three-fold…work, pleasure, and volunteer work…namely, Angel Flights around the eastern half of the US.

[midlifeflyer]

I hope you are asking this in a Bonanza forum too. You're not really expecting someone here to say "Debonair," are you?

[midlifeflyer]

33 minutes ago, Steve Dawson said:

It's a partnership so its half of the cost of the plane. 

Why? Joint ownership don't have to be 50/50. 

[philip_g]

The Deb is a nice flying and comfortable plane. The ovation is decades newer and I suspect will have fewer issues.  I find the Deb more comfortable than mooneys. I'd buy the ovation if the funds weren't a factor. I'd have to compare side by side but I feel like thw Deb has a bigger door and is a bit easier in and out. Neither is ideal for angel flight missions. If that was a concern I'd go 210 or p210 or something high wing.

Edited December 17, 2021 by philip_g

[Jetman]

15 minutes ago, midlifeflyer said:

I hope you are asking this in a Bonanza forum too. You're not really expecting someone here to say "Debonair," are you?

I am, Partnership is fiddy/fiddy. Both have factory reman engines and similar Aspens etc.  I think deb partner is more aligned but I will know more next week.

I will use the aircraft to visit Florida, Al, NC Va and Duck hunt in ARK.   I fly jets for a living so speed is very important.  3 to 1 time savings versus driving.

[Jetman]

48 minutes ago, StevenL757 said:

 

Thanks…sorry, I missed the “partnership” piece by the OP.

@Steve Dawson, mission was three-fold…work, pleasure, and volunteer work…namely, Angel Flights around the eastern half of the US.

Fiddy/Fiddy on the partnership.  Ovation was purchased for 145k knowing it needed an engine. New engine and Aspen @ $55K. My part would put into it with some equity to today's market prices.

[Jetman]

1 hour ago, carusoam said:

Select the best partners,  and see what plane they have….  

I bet partners in a 1960s bird are different than partners in a near new millennium bird…

How many partners do you get with them?

-a-

the Deb partner is a retire Airline Pilot, I am active Airline pilot, we think similarly as to Safety.  I am leaning toward the mooney knowing my partner who is 70 will age out sooner than later and I will have  to purchase the entire plane.  My biggest downside is I only plan to fly 50-70 hours a year.

[Tim Jodice]

30 minutes ago, midlifeflyer said:

I hope you are asking this in a Bonanza forum too. You're not really expecting someone here to say "Debonair," are you?

You really can go wrong with either they are both great aircraft. If speed is at the top then it is an Ovation. Be careful when people talk about Debonair speed because they came with 225, 260 or 285HP engines.

[Hank]

6 minutes ago, Tim Jodice said:

You really can go wrong with either they are both great aircraft. If speed is at the top then it is an Ovation. Be careful when people talk about Debonair speed because they came with 225, 260 or 285HP engines.

And the Ovation can be bumped up to 310hp fairly easily. Standing O!

[Jetman]

1 hour ago, StevenL757 said:

 

Thanks…sorry, I missed the “partnership” piece by the OP.

@Steve Dawson, mission was three-fold…work, pleasure, and volunteer work…namely, Angel Flights around the eastern half of the US.

Mission is South East Trips 300-500 miles. occasional trip to kCLT to work as a back up to full flights :(.  Thanks for the input.

 

[201er]

1 hour ago, Jetman said:

Mission is South East Trips 300-500 miles. occasional trip to kCLT to work as a back up to full flights :(.  Thanks for the input.

 

If you’re doing such short little trips, neither speed nor comfort matter all that much. You’re in and out before you know it. 
 

2.8 hours in the fastest ovation and 3.6 in the slowest C. The faster planes only start to pull away when you’re going long distances because they can simply cover more ground in a day.

[ZuluZulu]

Which engine does the Deb have?  Which autopilot does each plane have?

[midlifeflyer]

15 hours ago, Jetman said:

I am, Partnership is fiddy/fiddy. Both have factory reman engines and similar Aspens etc.  I think deb partner is more aligned but I will know more next week.

I will use the aircraft to visit Florida, Al, NC Va and Duck hunt in ARK.   I fly jets for a living so speed is very important.  3 to 1 time savings versus driving.

FWIW, I've flown both. I used to fly a Deb with an IO550 STC. So,  same engine as the Ovation. Roughly equivalent cruise speeds. at my typical 65% power flying.  Of course, the Ovation, being a Mooney, is faster than the Deb was, but, from my experience only by about 5-7 KTS. OTOH, you can get a FIKI Ovation if  that's important (at a significant gross weight hit).  I think the O also has a greater range due to larger fuel tanks. Also, of course, a gross weigh hit if you fill them but it does mean greater range if you want or need it.

[philiplane]

Speed isn't always what it seems. Let's give the Ovation a 20 knot advantage. That's all of 20 minutes on a 500 mile trip. Or, more accurately, it's an eternity if the passengers aren't happy. And then the plane doesn't get used much, and then there's pressure to sell it.

Too often, pilots forget that non-pilots, especially family members, don't see things the same way. But they have a lot of influence on how much we get to enjoy our hobby. 

Edited December 17, 2021 by philiplane

[exM20K]

One reason to prefer the Deb would be short field performance, which is a lot better than the O.  But with practice and keen attention to AOA/TAS  on final, the O will be happy with 2500’ and up.

-dan