Is 3.0 L enough power

[SeanMcl]

Re: Is 3.0 L enough power

Another thing to consider when deciding if motor XXX is "enough", is your altitude. You can shave 20% or more off the rated HP for your motor if you are above 4000 feet and like to boat on hot days.

The engine's rated HP is measured at sea level, 77 degrees air temp, and 0% relative humidity. Probably other factors as well.

Plug today's local lake weather info into this calulator and see what percentage you get. Where I went boating last week, I get 81%. So a 135 HP 3.0 turns into 109.35 HP at my lake. And that is if it is brand new and actually making the full rated power. Used boats lose a little over the years.

Just food for thought. Any boat is fun to be out on.

 

[maharg]

Re: Is 3.0 L enough power

yes its 80 miles, I kept going up and back because the person I was boating with has a toon that does ~20 (stated above). I know the distance from the marina to the islands and back because US 52 runs along the river. I was going faster so I would go up then back so I didn't get too far ahead of my buddy. I did go more than 80 miles, I dont know how many though. My boats WOT is 4400-4800 per the manual @ 4400 I am at 26ish, at 4800 I am at 31ish. It will rev over that, I typically stay in the low 30's. Again I stayed in the low range because the toon is not fast. Please go back through my posts and gater all of the info.

To recap...
I went boating with another person, they have a 24ft toon with a 90 on the back. It does 20ish mph, my boat is faster and I didnt want to ditch the other boat so I would do circles in the river (up a bit and then back). If you follow US 52 from our marina to the manchester islands the trip is roughly 40 miles and US 52 follows the river. As you stated it would be less than 4 hours to run 80 miles at 26mph, but the boat I was running with was doing 20ish. I ran tho whole time on 1 tank of 93 octane from shell. I have a 1700lb boat with 4 people 2 coolers and a few other items on board. I have a 14 5/8 x 17 prop, a 140hp 3.0 a 1.98 to 1 alpha 1. AFAIK it has a 16 gallon tank, last time I filled up it was close to E and I put 14.?? gallons in, maybe it an 18 or a 20. I dont believe the fuel gauge is that far off and the PO told me it was a 16 gal ( he redid the floors) so I assume it is.

 

[Purecarnagge]

Re: Is 3.0 L enough power

I want to get a newer boat and would like to go to an inboard. I can find quite a few mid 2000's with 3.0 L engines in it but not sure if it is enough power after talking with a few people. Most say if you want to pull 2 (one person) tubes and have 4-6 kids/adults in the boat you need to go to a 4.3 L engine as you won't have the power. I don't know anyone who has a 3.0 so wondering other peoples thoughts, experiences.

How about this post is the original post for this thread, and you guys can take your whizzing match to private messages? Nothing worse than watching adults argue on the internet.

 

[45Auto]

Re: Is 3.0 L enough power

Thirded

 

[45Auto]

Re: Is 3.0 L enough power

Fourthed

 

[spikeitaudi]

Re: Is 3.0 L enough power

Ok here is a perspective from a fairly new boater with 20plus hours of experience out on the water with my 3.0l Mercruiser Alpha one drive. For my and my family is it fine. Right now I am not pulling skiers, wakeboarders, or tubes. That will happen next year when I have more experience and when my kids are older. I can say that the 3.0 gets me on plane quickly enough with 5 adults and 3 kids aboard my 18ft bowrider pretty easy. I have neverever driven a boat with more power then what I have now but I am sure that if I did I would want that as well so it's most likely very good that I didn't try the 4.3l engine. Also faster for me at this point might not be the greatest idea as the faster you go the quicker you can get into a harry situation that you might not want to be in.

But a good car analogy works too. The bigger the better and there is no substitute for displacement. I had a 2004 V6 VW Touareg. Was to slow for my liking so I traded it in and got the 2004.5 V8 VW Touareg. That thing moved. So I guess for my sumation is that if you never have tried the V6 you will be fine with the 3.0 4 Banger as it does do everything you will need it to do. But be prepared like others have said if you do try the v6 you most likely will not want to go back to the 3.0 4 banger. I am for sure and glad I didn't try out the V6 mercriuser. At least not yet.

 

[Purecarnagge]

Re: Is 3.0 L enough power

By the way, what makes you think we're adults?

Sorry, do we need to get the depends out?

There is a difference between being hellbent on trying to prove someone wrong, and giving an experience.

Back on topic though. My limited experience is 4 people is good at a 3.0. once you get above 4 adults, and start pulling people you would probabally enjoy something with more power.

 

[Subliminal]

Re: Is 3.0 L enough power

The bigger the better and there is no substitute for displacement.

/\
|
The replacement.




I have the 4.3. Carbed version. It's fine. Goes about 50. Wife starts yelling at me over 40. 3.0 will go 40. Whaddayagunnado?

 

[qmrichardson]

Re: Is 3.0 L enough power

if you plan to fill the boat with people and then pull skiiers and tubes, I wouldn't get less than a V6, but that's just me. I'm glad to hear that the 3.0 owners report such great performance. I opted for the V8 for my first boat because I wanted to ensure I'd never want to upgrade later. I can assure you I'd never own anything less now that I've gotten use to the power. Good luck shopping! just be patient and you'll find the right one at the right price. I recommend buying used so you can get more fo your money.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Is 3.0 L enough power

We generally have 4-5 in a 19ft boat and are happy with the 3.0L for both skiing and wakeboarding. That being said if my 4-5 people were 200lb'rs then I might want some more motor.

 

[tawood]

Re: Is 3.0 L enough power

My father, who used to ski professionally back in the 50's, went out with me for the first time in my 19' with a 3.0L this past week. I nailed it, and he said, "Wow, do I wish I was young enough to ski behind this! The chris craft I skied behind never got up like this thing!"
Guess it all depends on what you expect from your boat. I bought a 3.0 because I didn't need bigger (and I NEVER wish for bigger, even though I have owned bigger in the past). I was leary at first when I got it, but this engine surprises me all the time as "the little engine that could" and I am very happy with it.

 

[Chaparralboater]

Re: Is 3.0 L enough power

I came from a 63mph jet ski, and a 33 loa foot cruisers rogue with twin 350's that hit 58mph..the 3.0 is fine. Does 40 and pulls my tubes all I need for now.

 

[Philom]

Re: Is 3.0 L enough power

I do appreciate the opinions offered in regards to what you can and can't do as far as performance. The arguments over fuel consumption, distance travelled, etc was unnecessary.

 

[45Auto]

Re: Is 3.0 L enough power

Took out the unnecessary stuff for you!

 

[Mordekai]

Re: Is 3.0 L enough power

While some people will advocate what they have, we just got our tahoe q4 with the 3.0 about a month ago, I've done about 15 trips with it. On average, we cruise about 50-75 miles, burning about 15 gallons or so each time.

I don't run mine WOT all the time but I do open it up. I typically cruise at 4000 RPM doing 30-33 mph depending on lake condition. Btw this is on beaver lake.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Is 3.0 L enough power

I don't know anyone who has a 3.0 so wondering other peoples thoughts, experiences.

You can put me in the satisfied group as well. Every year we go to the boat show with the idea that if we see a new boat we like better, we'd buy it. Hasn't happened yet. If we were to switch, I would want another 3.0 liter...mine runs and performs just that good! Plus, its so easy to work on.

Another thing to consider....when the 2011 models come out the 3.0 liter will have been in continuous production for 50 years! A few years ago I read that it was the largest selling stern drive of all time. I'm a firm believer that Consumers drive the products we buy. If it didn't satisfy a demand it would have been phased out long ago.

 

[45Auto]

Re: Is 3.0 L enough power

I'm a firm believer that Consumers drive the products we buy. If it didn't satisfy a demand it would have been phased out long ago.

You're right about that. There is always a demand for the lowest priced item in any mass-produced consumer line of goods. It's very unusual for the cheapest item NOT to be the biggest seller. If it meets your requirements, that's great! Same reason the Toyota Corolla is the highest selling car in the world:

http://hubpages.com/hub/Top-50-Best-Selling-Cars-Of-All-Time

And The Most Sold Car In The World Is...

The Toyota Corolla. Over the last 45 years Japanese car maker Toyota have manufactured a record 32 Million Corollas! It's always been a small family car. Cheap to buy and cheap to run worked well for Toyota over the last 45 years, and even with all the problems with the car industry at the moment, don't expect to hear of this little record breakers reign coming to an end anytime soon.

 

[MacPointMan]

Re: Is 3.0 L enough power

The question is weather or not a Mercruiser 3.0 is enough power. It depends on what you want to use the boat for and how fast you want to go.

Obviously a 4.3 is going to make more power and help you go faster. however they are more expensive. Both to operate and to purchase. I am a new boat owner but I cant imagine maintenance costs being much more for a V6 or a 4 cylinder motor. Obviously a V6 is going to use more fuel that however is not the issue.

I like my Mercruiser 3.0 It runs good (so far) and is cheap on gas. It as stated before gives me upwards of 35 Mph with 4 adults a 4 year old child and all the gear that would typically be used on an outing to the lake on board. Cooler One large (Food) and one small (Beer, sodas, and juice for the little one only) a small hand held BBQ grill, Charcoal, and various other items boating related items.

I find it adequate enough for me at this time. Granted my boat and motor are 22 years old and has quite a few hours on it. It operates pretty well and hasn't lost much over time assuming spec is about 140 - 145 lbs per cylinder the mechanic that tested my motor stated that it was giving me upwards of 135 lbs per cylinder. Is a rebuild in my future? Maybe, but it doesn't look like it (and I hope not) obviously I would prefer later rather than sooner. The newer Mercruiser 3.0 motors have a higher horsepower rating (mine is rated at 130) so you will get more out of it which will result in Higher top end speed.

In the end, for general boating, and for My needs the 3.0 does fine for me. Will I upgrade to a larger motor? Maybe in my next boat maybe not, again it will all depend on what my needs are at the time. If I get a larger boat I will probably go with a bigger motor. More boat to push + More people to push + More weight on board to push = the need for more power thus a larger motor.

It is simple. This isn't rocket science.

Then again I'm a Newby and what do I know.

MacPointMan

 

[korygrandy]

Re: Is 3.0 L enough power

I just bought a 3.0l this season. I wanted the extra power in the 4.3l but when a nice boat came along and it only had the 3.0l I bought it. It has plenty of power for me.

Here are some things I will point out:

1. With me and my girl this thing (glastron sx175) planes out in like 2 seconds (300lbs). With 7 adults it becomes a low-speed cruising boat and takes A WHILE to plane out.

2. When towing adults you can notice some strain on the motor but there is still enough power there to tow. If you had the Morbidly Obese Ski Team behind you it might not work.

3. There's lots of room in the engine compartment to work on this engine and everything seems easily accessible on this motor. This motor is very popular and therefore there are a lot of mechanics and accessible parts (although I doubt the 4.3l is any different).

4. I knew I was going to be using this boat a LOT since I'm within 10min of 10 lakes (MN Land of 10,000 Lakes). Knowing this turned me onto the 3.0l because I figured I could have more outings in the boat without paying for all the extra fuel costs.

5. I got on the lake early this year because I didnt have to wait for the 4.3l boat I wanted to become available for the price I wanted to pay. The used 4.3's sold very quickly from what I noticed. I'm not planning on selling this thing until I am in a position financially to bump up to a 21'+ cruiser which could be a while (if ever).

I paid $6500 for an '03 Glastron in like new condition. I felt this was not just a good deal but a great deal for the area I live in. Couldn't be happier with the boat. I've taken over 40 different people on it including most of my extended family and they all have had a fun time on the boat. My highlght of the year was getting my 80yr old grandma out on it...she loved it!

 

[JimS123]

Re: Is 3.0 L enough power

There is a difference between "cheep" and "lower cost". Yugos, Chevettes, Pintos, and Forces were all at the bottom of the price list, but none of them stood the test of time.

I bought my 3.0 liter before the surge in OB prices. At that time it was not the lowest cost alternative. I could have bought the outboard model of the same boat and hung a 115 or 135 Evinrude on it. Would have used more gas, but it would have gone faster!