20' boat with 3.0 i/0?

[Maxum21]

hello, after years away from the boating scene, i'm looking to get back in the water.. Theres obviously some good deals out there this time of season and well i've found a '96 bayliner 20' open-bow with a 3.0 merc i/o for a steal of a price. And of course, my only concern is the 3.0. i know this "under powered" topic has been brought up before, but my question is a bit more specific. Considering that bayliner is is a relatively light boat, how do you think the 3.o will handle it? i will most likely be using the boat w/ 4 people, and probably no water skiing, and i dont need a rocket.. My main concern is will this boat get on plane ok with 4 people, or will it be a constant struggle? would i even break the 30 mph mark? i think the owner will let me water test it, but i wont have 4 or 5 people with me..i have been pleased with my old 3.0 in the past, but it was a 16 or 17' boat.. i would appreciate your opinions before i go buy this boat.
thanks!
-Jamie

 

[642mx]

Re: 20' boat with 3.0 i/0?

One word describes a 20 foot boat with a 4 banger: DOG

I would want at least a 4.3 V6 in a 20 footer.... just my 2 cents.

 

[Steve Mahler]

Re: 20' boat with 3.0 i/0?

depends on your needs. i had a 19ft cuddy with the 128hp omc 2.3l ford. smallest i/o out there, and it was a fine runabout. planed ok, pulled a skier, not a rocket but a fun boat. great on gas too.

 

[Campylobacter]

Re: 20' boat with 3.0 i/0?

Get a couple (or three) day laborers to come with.

Seriously, you won't know unless you try it yourself.

 

[scoutabout]

Re: 20' boat with 3.0 i/0?

I always tend to get a little annoyed when people bash the 3.0. I had one for ten years in our '92 SeaRay 170 and while no hot rod it was a great little motor for that boat.

Ahem...however...that boat was 16.5 feet long. Even I - 3.0 lover that I was, would probably pass on the combination you are contemplating. That's a lot of boat for the 3.0 and you may very well end up regretting it. Boats don't just get longer, they get wider, deeper, and much heavier with every foot of length you add.

Combine that with perhaps some wet foam or wood in the structure and you are talking some serious weight to shift.

I'd say there are too many deals around this time of year for you to have to skimp on motor if you need a boat that size.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 20' boat with 3.0 i/0?

If it was REALLY cheap and not rotted, and you know you're not going to be a speed demon....it probably wouldn't be too bad.

 

[sebber83]

Re: 20' boat with 3.0 i/0?

I realize your plan now is to only be 4 and just cruise around, but what if one day someone decides he or she wants to wakeboard, tube, ski, etc. I dont think a boat with a 4.3l or 5.0l will be that much more money but one thing is for sure, it would be more versatile! again - just my 2 cents

 

[allpoints360]

Re: 20' boat with 3.0 i/0?

You can never have enough money or horsepower. Situations differ, but you should try to get near the max hp for the hull. You don't want to wallow.

 

[bigbad 4cyl x2]

Re: 20' boat with 3.0 i/0?

gas cost money

 

[642mx]

Re: 20' boat with 3.0 i/0?

It kills me how people bring up how much a 'gas saver' 4 cylinders are...lmao! So it gets 5 mpg instead of 4 mpg?....who cares?!?! If your worried about the price of gas.... you don't need a boat.

 

[642mx]

Re: 20' boat with 3.0 i/0?

You can never have enough money or horsepower. Situations differ, but you should try to get near the max hp for the hull. You don't want to wallow.

Exactly... I like the way you think.

 

[Friscoboater]

Re: 20' boat with 3.0 i/0?

It kills me how people bring up how much a 'gas saver' 4 cylinders are...lmao! So it gets 5 mpg instead of 4 mpg?....who cares?!?! If your worried about the price of gas.... you don't need a boat.

AMEN!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 20' boat with 3.0 i/0?

20ft, 4.3 minimum, preferably, 5.0 or 5.7

 

[180Fisherman]

Re: 20' boat with 3.0 i/0?

There is a reason the boat is being offered at a "steal" as you say. It's most likely becuase of the performance that boat gets out of the 3L. I wouldn't assume an 1996 Bayliner is a light boat either. Most that old are waterlogged.

 

[Blue Crabber]

Re: 20' boat with 3.0 i/0?

20ft, 4.3 minimum, preferably, 5.0 or 5.7

I have a 20' bow rider now and I couldn't agree with this statement more.

Another thing to consider is that you will have an easier time selling it with the bigger motor when that time comes.

 

[bear_69cuda]

Re: 20' boat with 3.0 i/0?

I had a 99 Bayliner with the 3.0, with the addition of smart tabs, and a stainless Stiletto 14.25 x 19"P I was able to get 39.6 mph (gps) @ 4800 rpm, full tank and two adults. With the trim tabs it had a nice hole shot, but as soon as the boat had more than 4 on-board with gear it started to be a dog. I wished all the time it had a V6 or V8. Still a great boat, even with 6 folks and gear I could cruise ~ 24-30 on plane all day... but not a pocket rocket...
My deck boat is a totally different beast, with my 150hp 4 stroke Yamaha I'm getting over 45 mhp (gps) with 52 gal fuel, gear, and 4 adults. I have power everywhere... Plenty fast for me. The thing flys... Strange cuz the boat is 700 lbs more than the Bayliner and only 30 more hp????? Someday I hope to get an 1980's 18' Glastron with a V8 for my pocket rocket MBS cure...

I would look for the V6 or V8 option... Lot's of great deals!

 

[Subliminal]

Re: 20' boat with 3.0 i/0?

You might actually get better mileage out of a bigger engine, as you wouldn't constantly be running high rpm, pushing the engine to the limit.

For wakeboarding you'd probably be totally fine with that, as well as with tubing...not going to have that much fun waterskiing, though...

Although you could probably change the prop and get a little more performance out of it, but you'd take a hit on top end.

But, I'm a noob...what do I know?

 

[Steve Mahler]

Re: 20' boat with 3.0 i/0?

Since I am the only one defending the little motors I will keep digging

There is a tolerance for power (or lack of) that everyone has, it is just a different number. Obviously I am way at the low end of that scale. I once had a VW rabbit diesel, and my uncle had a VW Vanagon CAMPER diesel. 49hp. you had to give it a shove with your leg to get up hills LOL.


As for the gas issue, it isnt really about money as it is hassle. I live on the water during the summer, not a weekend warrior. So when you have a boat that will go the better part of an average week without running to the fuel dock, it makes a difference. At the same time I had my little 4cyl cuddy my dock mate had a 19' bowrider with the 4.3 V6. World of difference out of the hole, and about 15mph more on the top. He was a heavy throttle type, but I swear he burned 2x the gas (and often we were running together-ish).


for me, if looking for another 18-30 cuddy, I would actually look for the 4cyl for my needs. But I dont pull wake boards and we are a slender family. To each his own, and different needs.

 

[Charlie in TX]

Re: 20' boat with 3.0 i/0?

I had a 19ft SeaRay with a 4.3l. It had plenty of power for a good top speed. The issue comes with wakeboard/skiing. The sweep spot is about 20mph. I had to under prop it (put a 17 were a 21 would put me at the right WOT) to get enough power to keep the boat on plane. It would be worse with that boat.

Might not matter to you but expect a hard time selling it.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: 20' boat with 3.0 i/0?

I wouldn't own a 20' boat without a V8, just my preference. While the 4.3L is a good engine, I just prefer the extra grunt of a 5.0 or 5.7L. You could give me a boat with a 4-cylinder in it, even a 17' model. It will be harder to sell the 20' boat with the 3.0L in it when you decide you want to sell it later on. Plenty of good 20' runabouts with V8's, just go find one.