What size enggine should I get.

[gwershing]

I'm looking for a used boat and my feeling is that I want a mercruiser V8. What are the down sides to getting a V8 over a V6. obviously the V8 has more power, but is it louder? Any advice on the proper engine size? I have kids that are going to be learning how to ski/wakeboard.
What are the downsides to a V8?

 

[truckermatt]

Re: What size enggine should I get.

Well a V8 will get you more power, but it will use more gas also..... and tes they are a little louder...

Depending on the size boat you need you may be able to get a 4.3 l v-6 and be happy

I have a 19.5 foor bowrider with a 4.3L carb.. (190 hp) and with 5 people in the boat and me skiing it handles very well.... They only thing i suggest doing is getting a 4 blade prop and that will get you on plane faster....

I like my v-6 boat, and the size is nice (19 feet.) I like how quiet it is to... i can have a conversation at 30mph and not scream at people.... Also and hard day of 5 + hours of driving the boat skiing/tubing only use about 12-15 gallons.... But remember this is at 3500-4000 rpms...

Go for a 4.3l EFI if you can get it... 220 hp.. then

 

[gwershing]

Re: What size enggine should I get.

To be clear, in your opinion, I should look for a 4.3L, 220 hp with fuel injection correct?

 

[epic1]

Re: What size enggine should I get.

v8.

 

[SeanT]

Re: What size enggine should I get.

Sounds like that's what he's saying.

And I agree. My last boat was a 4.3L V6, but only a 2 barrel carb so only around 175HP (the 4 barrel carb can get you 190 or maybe 195HP).

It was quieter than my direct drive now, so I can only really talk to the person in the spotter seat next to me. But the people in the bow area can talk amongst themselves, as can the people in the rear couch area. Part of this is because my boat is now 20.5' long, but also the engine is indeed louder (and in the middle of the boat instead of the back.

So, for an all around boat, you can be happy with a V6 runabout, especially the newer fuel injected ones. But if you are serious about skiing and wakeboarding, you may eventually upgrade to a ski boat.

 

[tawood]

Re: What size enggine should I get.

When I bought my boat, my boat owning co-workers said I was crazy for getting the 3.0L 4 cylinder (19 footer). They said I was getting a boat that I was destined to soon sell for an upgrade.
After a season of waterskiing, wakeboarding, tubing, and kneeboarding, often with a boat full of people no less, I laugh at those same co-workers: I can go out wakeboarding all day, from sunrise to sunset, and use ONLY 8 GALLONS OF FUEL! My 20 gallon tank lasts all weekend, and usually will only take 14 or so gallons at the end of the weekend.
Right from the get go I pulled the stock 21 three blade prop, and put on an 18 four blade. My boat holeshots good, will pull an adult skiier with 6 on board, and will still do 37 mph at WOT (without going over redline).
Personally, I think the guys with the v8's are crazy (so my boat won't go 50...but who needs to go 50?), but to each their own.
Tim

 

[SeanT]

Re: What size enggine should I get.

Tawood - I'll tell you a secret - the V8s in the ski boats don't make them go 50MPH. But they hold the line way WAY better than a V6, and there's much less throttle adjusting to maintain speed and RPM when pulling skiers and boarders. In fact, my V8 holds so good, I'm actually wondering what the hell perfect pass is for - I guess there's some REALLY lazy drivers out there

On the other hand, the big V8 I/Os in the deep V hulls - yeah, they go like greased lightning.

 

[tawood]

Re: What size enggine should I get.

My friends and I must not be good enough to make driving the boat a hassle: If I set my speed at 19.0 mph (gps) with my friends wakeboarding, the boat maybe gets down to 18.3 mph AT THE LOWEST (without adjustment) in the corner when my friend is cutting hard...is speed control of + or - .7 mph that important? I'm seriously asking, because I don't know why slowing .7 mph is that big a deal...
Tim

 

[fourwinnsnate]

Re: What size enggine should I get.

The 6 cyl is a good motor but it totally depends on the boat, if it is a really deep V like the Fourwinns RS series you will probably want more power, although i've never been in a boat with a new EFI 6cyl. But if it is more of a shallow hull like..for example a Maxum 1900SC the 6 cyl would probably be sufficient just remember this is boating you will always wish u had more power..lol And as far as fuel consumption there are a ton of people who think that the smaller then engine the lesser the consumption of fuel...heres the thing if i run my V8 at WOT all the time it will suck fuel like u wouldnt believe but.... If i run it like say.. a 6cyl will do at WOT (which will be sucking fuel like crazy) my consumption really isnt bad i would say better than a 6 cyl...and trust me its soo nice to have the peace of mind knowing that u can throw 6ppl plus gear in the boat and still tow a skiier out of the water on one ski personally i would say if u have the chance...get the 8cyl and as far as noise in an I/O you will not notice a difference between the 6 and 8 as long as its not piped

 

[lucky7]

Re: What size enggine should I get.

i'll put my 2 cents in. i have a 305 v8 in a 19.5 foot bow rider. as far as noise, i doubt its any louder than a v6, but it does sound better. its heavier than a v6, by maybe 1oo lbs, so that might kick up a bit more wake. running wot when there is lightning in the sky, an extra 10 mph has gotten me back from the sandbar to the ramp ahead of the rush, so i was hauled out and covered up before the rain. priceless. as far as fuel, if your testing for op speed, it can suck it down, but for 18-22 mph tubing and boarding, its probably verry close to a v6. i would get the largest you can, you can always throttle back.

 

[mddubya]

Re: What size enggine should I get.

I've got a 19 foot bow-rider with a Mercruiser 485 I/O. Thats a inline 4 banger that puts out 185 hp. Sure I have to throttle up if I have a boarder over 200lbs cutting hard behind it, but it only has a 20 gallon tank and will run all weekend long on it while my friends are filling up their V8's at the end of every day.

V8's are nice, and sound better, but I'm quite satisfied with my boat for now. My next one will be a 21 footer with a V8 and V-drive, but if you're just looking to get started and save some money, a V6 or even a big 4 cylinder with enough ponies will do just fine.

 

[gwershing]

Re: What size engine should I get.

Re: What size engine should I get.

Thanks guys.

I just bought an 18' bowrider with a 4.3L MFI 220hp V6.

Thanks all!

-Greg

 

[mddubya]

Re: What size engine should I get.

Re: What size engine should I get.

Thanks guys.

I just bought an 18' bowrider with a 4.3L MFI 220hp V6.

Thanks all!

-Greg

Congrats on the new boat, we want pictures!

 

[lucky7]

Re: What size enggine should I get.

we want pics!

 

[gwershing]

Re: What size enggine should I get.

Pictures coming soon.

Boat goes pretty good. Two adults and two kids in it, speedometer gets up to 53. Not sure I believe it. I still need to check with my GPS.

Not real happy with the hole shot. It kinda lags coming out of the hole. Not sure what the current prop pitch is, but I want to change it out.

I'm gonna search for a topic on props. I want to know the reason for going to a 4 blade over a 3.

 

[tawood]

Re: What size enggine should I get.

You can pitch down a 4 blade, and then get much better out of the hole. Top speed will drop, but in my case, the 4 blade keeps me from worrying about over-rev...I think I read that the 4 blades have more drag, so at wide-open-throttle, your rpms don't go as high as a 3 blade with the same pitch. But I've also read that every boat can be different, so you may have to try a few first to find what fits for you. I think I got lucky with the first try.
Tim

 

[SeanT]

Re: What size enggine should I get.

Yep, that sounds about right. A 4 blade or even a hi-5 prop should get you better holeshot and reduce the top end.