Help! 3.0l or 4.3l 180 four winns bowrider

[rye1]

Hi, All<br />I have found a boat I want to buy, But I am stumped on the powerplant size. I am looking at the 2002 Four Winns 180 Horizon. I plan to use the boat as follows:<br /><br />60% cruising/fishing<br />40% ski/tubeing<br /><br />My question is will I regret getting the 3.0l to save money vs. the 4.3l?<br />(dealer says $1500 diff. does that sound right?)<br /><br />Is the 3.0l enough power out of the hole to pull a skier?<br /><br />Thanks In Advance!!

 

[TxRiverRat]

Re: Help! 3.0l or 4.3l 180 four winns bowrider

Do yourself a favor and spend the $1500. You can always deal with having too much power, but if there's not enough, your screwed. Also, when you go to sell the boat, almost everyone will want more power. Don't try to cut corners on power.

 

[Parrott_head]

Re: Help! 3.0l or 4.3l 180 four winns bowrider

There is no substitute for displacement. Go with the bigger motor. It won't have to work as hard and will pull skiers better. I went with the 280HP Volvo-Penta DuoProp in a 2002 Four Winns 234 Funship. We test drove one with a 270 DuoProp and decided to go with the larger engine. (5 LT vs. 5.7 LT)

 

[DJ]

Re: Help! 3.0l or 4.3l 180 four winns bowrider

Mo one complains about an overpowered boat. Your resale will be much better than the $1500.00 you spend now.

 

[TxRiverRat]

Re: Help! 3.0l or 4.3l 180 four winns bowrider

All of my points exactly...

 

[ajp]

Re: Help! 3.0l or 4.3l 180 four winns bowrider

Hands down, go with the 4.3 V6. It is the minimum for skiing. You'll get twice the $1500 on resale plus be a lot happier with the performance. Unless you want to leave all but one person and gear on the beach. On my boat we may have 8 riders and 1 skier. The 4.3 does great. <br /><br />Arlan

 

[TxRiverRat]

Re: Help! 3.0l or 4.3l 180 four winns bowrider

Sorry to beat a dead horse...<br /><br />They really need to go with a V8 if it's an option - that will increase the resale more than anything. My previous boat was a straight 4 with 170 HP (the same as alot of V6's out there). Had it a V8, I owuld have sold it not only for more money, but also alot faster...