220 HP too low power on AZ200??

[lovlakes]

We are considering buying a used 2005 Azure deckboat AZ200. The sterndrive engine is a Mercury Marine 5.0 L 220 HP.

I noticed that the newer Azure comes with a 320 HP. It makes me wonder if the 2005 was under powered. The boat is 3975 pounds. The spec tests on an AZ200 (from Mercury Marine website) say the top speed is 42 MPH and that 0 to 20 is 6.8 sec and 0 to 30 mph in 10.6 sec.

Our use would be mostly cruising, but our children (in their 20's) will want to ski/tube. Is this enough power?

Does anyone know if low power was a problem for this boat?

 

[QC]

Re: 220 HP too low power on AZ200??

Well . . . hmmmmm. I'd like to see that test data you refer to as I a not sure which engine was tested. Also, the 320 hp note is max, not it's standard, so that doesn't bother me. I checked out the specs on this boat and I like that it has 20 degrees of deadrise which means that it will be better on rough water than most deck boats. It also means that it needs a little more horsepower, and at 3975 spec sheet weight it seems pretty hefty too. Sooooo, the 220 will have to work a little, but that's not to say it would struggle. Many people would be perfectly satisfied with that, and wakeboarding and tubing does not take the kind of power that slalom skiing does. If you could point us to that test it may help, but if you are satisfied with high 30s to low 40s, then it would not necessarily be underpowered. Also, if you add some trim tabs, which I highly recommend regardless of the power choice, I think it could be a decent tubing and sports boat, it's just not gonna win any races . . .Where you going to boat? It would not like any altitude.

 

[lovlakes]

Re: 220 HP too low power on AZ200??

Thanks for the reply.

The site that I was using to assess the motor is: http://www.mercurymarine.com/_media/pdfs/bhb/sterndrives/5.0LTKS_AzureAZ200_0606_AlphaFour18.pdf. The Mercury Marine site has the available testing, but it appears to be on currently available boats and motors. I don't think the Azure 200 has been redesigned, so I am guessing the weight and boat config is about the same.

We will be using it almost exclusively on Lake Wisconsin where we have a lake property. I believe the elevation is about 800 ft, so not much different from the test elevation. We are not speedsters, so the main concern would be to get enough power for the kids (eventually grandkids too) to tube/ski. However, most of the time, it will just be the two of us, so we thought a 20 foot deckboat could cover both needs.

If we were dissatisfied with the smaller HP, I am guessing that it is quite expensive to replace the motor, but what would a ballpark figure be? More than 5,000-6,000?

Other than the Azure, we have also considered a Chaparral Sunesta or a Four Winns Funship. We are newbiew to boating, but in cars, we typically buy in the low-end of the luxury range and then drive them for a very long time (typically 8-10 years). We would plan to do the same with a boat...buy well and keep it. We thought we were likely to get a better price on the off-season.

Thanks for any additional feedback/thoughts on this.

 

[QC]

Re: 220 HP too low power on AZ200??

Your thoughts on buying off-season are good, be picky and reasonably aggressive, save some $.

I took a look at the Lake and it appears to be small enough that 20 degrees of deadrise is not necessary or maybe not even desirable, although it is still my target. Most deck boats have around 16 - 18 degrees and they will be less "tippy" from side to side at rest because of it. Also, they will need less power to plane etc. The AZ 200 would be great where I boat as we get high winds and long stretches of open lake, so the water gets nasty. My guess is that your lake is less treacherous and although the ride would be awesome, it may not be the best for sitting at anchor etc. The performance numbers look decent enough for what you want to do (thanks for the link), so I would say that performance will be adequate, just not blistering . . .

Your repower estimates are good budget numbers.

I want to re-pitch trim tabs too. They should be standard on all V-hulls, Smart Tabs if you don't like playing with stuff and want others to be able to easily drive the boat, helm adjustable like Bennett's if you want the best flexibility and adjustability etc. Especially with the 20 degrees . . .

 

[lovlakes]

Re: 220 HP too low power on AZ200??

Thanks.

Regarding the deadrise, your comment makes me wonder if we should go to a lower deadrise boat. Although we will spend some time motoring the lake, part of the fun will be anchoring at other parts of the lake, including some sand bars in the upriver area. So, if the deadrise is too much for steady at anchor purposes, I am not sure this is our best choice.

The water on the lake is relatively calm with winds usually not more than 10-20 in the afternoons (sometimes as stil as 2 to 5). In addition to the lake, we hope to navigate the river too, but that is still pretty mild compared to open water.

Owner says he will take 23,000 obo; according to them the boat is worth 28,000. The NADA guide prices it at 28,195 (low retail) and 32,190 (avg retail) if one includes all the features that come standard on the Azure. Without any additions, the base price of boat and bimini is 26,570 (low) and 30345 (avg). Not sure how well the NADA guide reflects reality??

It has a trailer on it, but it is not a roll away tongue, so we may need to invest in a different trailer as our indoor storage space this winter is limited, unless we pay to store it.

Appreciate any more comments. We are true beginners!

 

[QC]

Re: 220 HP too low power on AZ200??

When I say "tippy" it is not gonna throw anybody into the lake . . . all v-hulls rock some. Catamarans are flatest, flatbottoms will beat the snot out of you no matter what water, 16 - 18 degrees seems like the best compromise for reasonably predictable and small inland water lakes/rivers. I kinda need 20 degrees, and really like it. It is just not as stable side to side as a boat with less deadrise. Your lake/river seems good to "allow" you to accept less deadrise and again, easier to plane and usually faster if all other things are equal (they never are). With that said, the best way to smooth out most hulls, and keep momma happy, is with your right hand 20 degrees helps keep momma happy and lets dad screw up or go faster . . .

Pricing seems good, especially if she is clean and well cared for, or easily brought back to good condition. NADA is sorta useless, but we all look . . .

BTW, deadrise is the angle of the vee above flat i.e. > V (measured at the stern unless otherwise noted)

 

[silveraire]

Re: 220 HP too low power on AZ200??

QC has some good advice(as always) As far as the power goes, I think you will be alright. I would recomend spending some money up front for a good mechanic's inspection. You will find alot of underpowered(base engines) boats were run very hard in their short life. Sometimes lack of power means full throttle all the time instead of the engines ideal cruise speed. not trying to stear you away at all, just cover all your bases.

BTW, I just looked at Azure web site. Very nice boats. Good floorplan. If everything works out, you should be very happy.

 

[silveraire]

Re: 220 HP too low power on AZ200??

oh, btw, as QC said, trim tabs are a must.

 

[lovlakes]

Re: 220 HP too low power on AZ200??

Appreciate all your comments.

We would be buying from a boat broker/marina. They mostly deal in sales/service/moving of large yatch boats, but acquired this one in a trade up. So, should we still ask for an outside mechanic?

Engine has 18 hours on it...which is a bit hard to believe. Is there a way for the hourmeter to be reset? I think there is a law about that with car odometers, but not so sure if same is true with boats?

 

[QC]

Re: 220 HP too low power on AZ200??

A new hourmeter is an instant reset. Very few laws like that for boats. 18 hours is believable. It's a lot of work to use a boat 50 hours a year . . .

 

[Solittle]

Re: 220 HP too low power on AZ200??

23K is a good chunk of change. Get an outside mechanic OF YOUR CHOICE to look it over. Remember any mechanics employed by the marina are paid by the marina.

 

[lovlakes]

Re: 220 HP too low power on AZ200??

Thanks for your comments.

We will see if we can find an independent boat mechanic in the geographic area.

 

[tjchapin]

Re: 220 HP too low power on AZ200??

I have the azure 188 elite with 305/220 hp. It will easly do 55+mph with ss prop.

 

[204 Escape]

Re: 220 HP too low power on AZ200??

We got our new deck boat in Mid August, and barely got 11.9 hours on it, before we wrapped her up for the winter. (And you know how us kids are with a new toy, we run them as much as possible, just because we can, and we like to play !!!)

I believe the hours are reasonable. (I think that my dealer said that "20" hours was the break in period. Does that soud right to everyone???

(It's rough getting old, and can't remember !!!! )

 

[tmh]

Re: 220 HP too low power on AZ200??

Well, I'm going to disagree on the power issue here....Yes, maybe you could LIVE WITH IT, but unless I'm missing my guess no one is GIVING YOu the boat, right? So with all the boats out there folks want to get rid of why buy a very marginally powered one??? I'll never get that. IF it was the only boat you could buy, then fine, put on a lower pitch SS prop, sacrifice top end for whole shot.....

a 4,000# Deck boat is heacy. Usually, people buy deck boats because they plan to have lots of people/gear on board! So you could really be adding up to a lot of weight. 220 hp doesn't cut it for this. The tests are usually run with a new engine, 1-2 people aboard AND run by magazines that get paid advertising from the boats they test. 42mph may be the slowest reported speed I've seen on a modern rec. boat.