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

[Danb]

I’ve flown a Deb quite a bit, my best friend had a ‘63 Deb with a Continental io470, good for 155-160+ knots, seats are more upright, I’m more comfortable in the Mooney. Caution the WB moves quite a bit as the fuel burns off. Still a nice airplane comfortable upright position, for a continental engine the 470 is bulletproof Horsepower I believe is 220-240 not totally sure. It burns about 13.5 GPH If your not big people I’d do the Mooney if your large then the Bo.

[Austintatious]

On 12/16/2021 at 6:07 PM, 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!

 

You guys have sat in both?  I find the Beechcraft to be a bit more stuffy than the mooney.  In fact, the mooney cabin is 2 inches wider than the deb.  Not to mention you will sit in the Debonair a lot longer.

Edited December 18, 2021 by Austintatious

[Jetman]

On 12/16/2021 at 7:35 PM, 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.

Actually with the reman engine being installed it should be worth @ 235,000 to 250,000.  My Half is about 110K.

[67 m20F chump]

The early Debs had 225 hp io470’s.  They are IO470J/K.  I have had both beech and Mooney aircraft.  Beech is better supported as long as you don’t need ruddervators!  
 

If the beech owner is in his 70’s you could possibly end up owning the whole airplane after you test the waters.   Either way you will be flying a great plane.

[Jetman]

On 12/17/2021 at 5:00 AM, ZuluZulu said:

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

Beech I-470, 260 hp. stx 55. 165 KTAS True.

The Mooney has the GSO-550 N 310 hp. with a kfc 150 Naved with GPS.  182KTAS True.  both burn about 13-14 gal hour LOP.

[Austintatious]

What mooney has 310 hp and only trues out at 182 knots?

[carusoam]

How do you intend to use the plane?

1) Super efficiency mode?

2) ordinary short fields?  (2500’)

3) Flaming dragon mode?

4) Combination depending how the PIC feels today?

Go O3 powered Mooney!

-a-

[Jeff_S]

7 hours ago, Austintatious said:

What mooney has 310 hp and only trues out at 182 knots?

I'd say that's a pretty decent expectation for a 310hp Ovation at 13-14 gph.  (Remember the 310hp upgrade only really applies at takeoff...no one cruises at 2700 RPM.) Those are going to be LOP numbers unless you're above 10,000 feet, roughly.  Depending on other characteristics of the plane (overall weight and loading, other drag characteristics, etc.) that's about what one might expect.  I have the big A/C scoop on belly of my plane, which I've been told equates to up to 5 knots of drag, and I would expect to true at 175 KTAS at that fuel burn in a cruise configuration (2450/WOT).  So 182 is not out of the question.