Chevy/Merc

[MTribe08]

Hello, sorry if this is an obvious question, but I'm looking for a family bowrider ideally with a small v8. In my search I've had people tell me they have a merc engine and drive. I've also had people tell me they have a chevy v8 with a merc drive in the exact same boat(sea ray). I'm confused as to whether or not sea ray used both I'm their production boats?

 

[dubs283]

Re: Chevy/Merc

mercruiser gets their long blocks from GM

in your search, look for 4.3 or 5.7/350 mercruiser, these powerplants are very good and dependable for repair and parts

avoid ANYTHING that says 470 mercruiser or 165 merc 4 cyl

 

[cooter2506]

Re: Chevy/Merc

Mercruiser uses chevy v8 blocks in there set ups .

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: Chevy/Merc

Hello, sorry if this is an obvious question, but I'm looking for a family bowrider ideally with a small v8. In my search I've had people tell me they have a merc engine and drive. I've also had people tell me they have a chevy v8 with a merc drive in the exact same boat(sea ray). I'm confused as to whether or not sea ray used both I'm their production boats?

they used both chevy and fords. Im sure there is a way to tell from the numbers which is which but im not the one to tell you that info.

 

[180shabah]

Re: Chevy/Merc

Merc hasn't used a ford engine in a looong time.

Fords have the distributor in the front, Chevies have it in the rear.

 

[MTribe08]

Re: Chevy/Merc

mercruiser gets their long blocks from GM

in your search, look for 4.3 or 5.7/350 mercruiser, these powerplants are very good and dependable for repair and parts

avoid ANYTHING that says 470 mercruiser or 165 merc 4 cyl

Ok..will do. I have however come across two boats recently. One had a Merc 5.0/302 and the other a Merc 305. We know the 5.0 was a ford and the 305 was a Chevy..These boats were a 94 and 95 Sea Ray 200 Signature.

During those years was Sea Ray using both Ford and Chevy powerplants? Also, you mentioned the 4.3 and 5.7 as engines to look for. Were the smaller V8's known to have problems? Is there really that big of a difference in the gas consumption between the 5.0 vs 5.7?

Thanks for the helpful responses!

 

[Bondo]

Re: Chevy/Merc

Ok..will do. I have however come across two boats recently. One had a Merc 5.0/302 and the other a Merc 305. We know the 5.0 was a ford and the 305 was a Chevy..These boats were a 94 and 95 Sea Ray 200 Signature.

Ayuh,.... The Ford is NOT a Mercruiser.... Volvo maybe,...

 

[180shabah]

Re: Chevy/Merc

Or it is actually a 305 not 302.

There are no "problems" with the small v8, it just weighs as much as the "larger" 5.7 with power comparable to the v6.

 

[MTribe08]

Re: Chevy/Merc

Or it is actually a 305 not 302.

There are no "problems" with the small v8, it just weighs as much as the "larger" 5.7 with power comparable to the v6.

Ahh..I see. So I'm not really gaining much by having a small V8 over a 4.3....I'll keep that in mind. Thanks.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Chevy/Merc

We know the 5.0 was a ford and the 305 was a Chevy
Ahh..I see.

Ayuh,... I Don't.... Your Information/ Question is Bad....
Which is it,..?? a 302 Ford,? or 305 Chevy,? or a Mercriuser,? or Volvo,?..??

While the 4.3ls are a Sweet little motor,... The 5.0l, 305 also has it's attributes....

 

[o-jay]

Re: Chevy/Merc

Don't get confused by Merc or Mercruiser being associated with Ford. Mercruiser is an outdrive package, it could have a Chevy or Ford motor - they put Mercruiser labels on the engine too, even though it might be a Chevy.

One of the guys said Mercruiser hasn't used a Ford engine in a long time, which I think is true, certainly in the age of boat you're looking at. I would be pretty surprised if a 94 or 95 Mercruiser had anything but a Chevy motor. They call it a 5.0 for 5.0 liters, which is also 305 cubic inches. So a Chevy 5.0 is a 305. I would expect both boats have the same engine, they're just described differently.

As for V8 vs. V6 - If you're going to get a V8, look for the 5.7 liter (that's a 350 cubic inch). The 5.0 V8's aren't significantly more powerful than the 4.3 V6 (also a Chevy), and don't have the track record that the 5.7 does. My boat has a 4.3, and I can hang right with most similar sized 5.0-powered boats in both top speed and pulling power, and I can run all weekend on one tank of gas. If you want a little more power, mostly pulling in my opinion, the go to the 5.7.

 

[MTribe08]

Re: Chevy/Merc

Ayuh,... I Don't.... Your Information/ Question is Bad....
Which is it,..?? a 302 Ford,? or 305 Chevy,? or a Mercriuser,? or Volvo,?..??

I'm not sure how my question was bad, I just relayed to you what the boat owners told me. One told me they had a Merc 5.0 and the other told me he had a Chevy 305. Neither said anything about a Volvo. I was just trying to figure out if there was one I should stear away from.

While the 4.3ls are a Sweet little motor,... The 5.0l, 305 also has it's attributes....

In a 20-21 foot bowrider(sea ray, monterey,crown ect.) what would you look for? I will be on the lake often times with 4 adults and 4-5 kids under 10. During those times I would still like to be able to pull up a wakeboarder(no one over 200lbs)

 

[MTribe08]

Re: Chevy/Merc

Don't get confused by Merc or Mercruiser being associated with Ford. Mercruiser is an outdrive package, it could have a Chevy or Ford motor - they put Mercruiser labels on the engine too, even though it might be a Chevy.

One of the guys said Mercruiser hasn't used a Ford engine in a long time, which I think is true, certainly in the age of boat you're looking at. I would be pretty surprised if a 94 or 95 Mercruiser had anything but a Chevy motor. They call it a 5.0 for 5.0 liters, which is also 305 cubic inches. So a Chevy 5.0 is a 305. I would expect both boats have the same engine, they're just described differently.

As for V8 vs. V6 - If you're going to get a V8, look for the 5.7 liter (that's a 350 cubic inch). The 5.0 V8's aren't significantly more powerful than the 4.3 V6 (also a Chevy), and don't have the track record that the 5.7 does. My boat has a 4.3, and I can hang right with most similar sized 5.0-powered boats in both top speed and pulling power, and I can run all weekend on one tank of gas. If you want a little more power, mostly pulling in my opinion, the go to the 5.7.

Very informative..thank you.

I've owned a few Mustangs in my day, one was a 94 5.0 302. I wasn't aware that the Chevy 305 that was used in many Cameros was also called a 5.0. That clears things up.

In reviewing what I plan to do with the boat, most times will either be just my family..Us and 2 small kids..or another family..2 more average sized adults and a few more kids....will the 4.3 be enough? Even if I want to pull up a wakeboard?

Ideally I'd like to come across a 20 ft boat..and I'm trying to figure out if I'd be sorry I didn't get the 5.7 in that size boat. You said you could run all weekened on a tank of gas in your 4.3, how would that compare if you had the 5.7?

Thanks for your insight.

 

[cooter2506]

Re: Chevy/Merc

the 5.7 will probably use 2 tanks to the 4.3's 1 tank. I have a 4.3 with a 4bbr carb and use 1 tank to my buddy's 5.0 using about 1.5 tanks. he has a 4 bbr also. But in a 20 ft boat loaded with 4 adults and 4 kids and wanting to tow a wakeboarder, I would look for a 5.7. That fuel usage I have above is with both of us having about a 23 galon tank.

 

[fishingdan]

Re: Chevy/Merc

I have a 19+' Cobia bowrider with a 4.3LX (4 barrel carb). I have 5 kids. We also usually have someone's friend with us. It is common to have 6 kids and 2 adults in the boat. The 4.3 has more than enough power and is good on fuel.

 

[jtybt]

Re: Chevy/Merc

...and in it's time Chev made both a 302 ci and 305 ci engine... as well as fords 302, they are classified as 5.0 liter engines

 

[futz]

Re: Chevy/Merc

bow rider light boat, 4.3 will be fine. But i never heard of anyone wishing they had less hp.

Sea ray those years had chevy based motors.

Bottom line same price same year and condition, me i would get the 5.0. If it has a 5.7 even better.

of course more power more gas usage.

 

[180shabah]

Re: Chevy/Merc

More power or larger displacement does not = more fuel. At least not in measureable amounts.

However, higher speed and more weight do. And don't forget driving style.

 

[MTribe08]

Re: Chevy/Merc

More power or larger displacement does not = more fuel. At least not in measureable amounts.

However, higher speed and more weight do. And don't forget driving style.

That was going to be my next question...If I'm easy on the boat and mainly just cruise the lake, staying out of the throttle, will I not see a huge loss of gas milage with the 5.7?..Obviously if I'm on the gas all the time, its going to suffer. I would think it would be nice to "know" you have the power if you need it, rather than get in a situation where you want it and don't have it.

I've looked at a few different manufactures trying to find the best I can within my budget...I looked at StingRay pretty closely(Then I heard its quality is down near the lower end boats?? That concerned me a bit) and they have a lighter hull than a sea ray..which will obviously affect engine performance.

Thanks for all the helpful responses..all of it helps..just trying to make the best decision for the type of boating I'll be doing..

Here is a StingRay I've been watching for about a month. http://phoenix.craigslist.org/cph/boa/1318470035.html
I'd like to hear your thoughts on the boat..I know its 19' and I've been saying I want 20' but sometimes you can't have it all. But it does have the 4.3. I called him when he first listed it, and offered him 5k, thats above average retail on Nada...Now he's saying he won't go under 6k...I think he's still 500-800 too high....what do you guys think? Good boat for what I'll be doing? Stay away?

Thanks.

 

[MTribe08]

Re: Chevy/Merc

bow rider light boat, 4.3 will be fine. But i never heard of anyone wishing they had less hp.

Sea ray those years had chevy based motors.

Bottom line same price same year and condition, me i would get the 5.0. If it has a 5.7 even better.

of course more power more gas usage.

Kind of the way I'm leaning...Thanks.