3.0 or 43

[micsol]

So I am looking at two boats on is a 98 sea ray 180 with the 3.0 merc. It's 18'. The other boat I am considering is a 99 reinell 185 with the 4.3 Volvo. It's 18.5'. My question is how much can the 3.0 do realistically. I mean if i put 5 people on the boat and 1 or 2 on a tube is it going to struggle, and will the 4.3 do any better. The sea ray is about $1200 cheaper which I like cause that leaves money for things like tubes life jackets etc. or would I be better off using the whole budget on the reneill. Both boats are rated for a max of 8 people but I'm not sure of weight rating. Also the boat will be used between 4 & 8000' in elevation

Thanks

 

[RogersJetboat454]

Re: 3.0 or 43

If it were me, and I were using the boat at those elevations under the conditions you're describing, I would probably be leaning towards the 4.3.

Lot's of people on here find that the 3.0l is a fine engine that does everything they request of it, but others feel it's underpowered for their needs. It's really a case of your mileage may vary, and your safest bet would be going for the bigger engine.

 

[90stingray]

Re: 3.0 or 43

Both of my boats are 4.3's and sometimes i feel i could use even a little more! Definately go for the 4.3... but if it's gonna bust the budget...

Boats cost money... maintenance, repairs, etc. BOAT= bust out another thousand

 

[Philster]

Re: 3.0 or 43

4.3... everyday of the week and twice on Sundays.

 

[whitey224]

Re: 3.0 or 43

My last boat was a Glastron GT 185 with a 3.0. As long as you keep it balanced (not having everyone in the back of the boat) it did pretty good. It would pull a skier up with 6 people in the boat as long as I had enough people in the front. BUT I always thought I needed a bigger motor because bigger is better, right? I honestly don't know but I think even with a 4.3 you will still have to keep the boat balanced well. Having said that I did trade the Glastron for a 21' Tahoe with a 5.0 so I guess bigger might be the way to go.

 

[Chaz7R]

Re: 3.0 or 43

You dont want 8 people in a boat with a 3.0 unless they have oars. thats only 17 hp per person. My first boat had a 3.0 i dont have it any more. If you get a 3.0 and want to do watersports you need a 15p prop which means you will have about a 34 mph top speed. More hp is always better. My current boat seats 5 and has 310hp= 62hp per person. I like it way better than seats 8 with 135hp

 

[Augoose]

Re: 3.0 or 43

If you are alreadying thinking the 3.0 might be too small, go with the 4.3. I went through the same thought process a few years ago and now I have a 5.0

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: 3.0 or 43

its a buyers market, so bargain down the 4.3 and have them throw in life jackets, towables, etc.

 

[Harritwo]

Re: 3.0 or 43

I currently own a 94 Sea Ray 170 with the 3.0L Alpha 1 Gen II and i load with 4 in the boat and 1 on skis or tube. The 3.0 has no problem pulling the load. The number one issue i have is fuel consumption. The 3.0L at WOT or pulling skiers or tube burns around 5 to 6 GPH. I am running a 14-1/2" x 19P prop and have a top speed with 4 people in the boat at 36 mph by GPS.

The setup is perfect for me, I would like to have better fuel consumption with the price of marine fuel over $4.25 a gal here in Orange Park, But overall it is fine for me.

I would also look at the max weight rating and HP rating for each boat and go from there.

I have no experiece with the Volvo, but i would definitely look at all aspects including fuel consumption before i bought one or the other.

 

[nlain]

Re: 3.0 or 43

I am at sea level, my first boat was an 87 17' SeaRay 3.0L, if I loaded it heavy it would take forever to get on plane. I now have a 2004 185Sport SeaRay 4.3L, I have had no complaints on power, fuel consumption is not much more than the 3.0. Go with the 4.3L. For your elevation you will probably have to play with props and maybe rejet the carb, if the engine is carburated.

 

[hostage]

Re: 3.0 or 43

Go with the 4.3L, you won't regret it. If you are worried about your budget for toys, most boats come with a 4 life jackets anyway. You can get some skijackets for pretty cheap at any big box store and tubes and other toys can be bought from craigslist. A tube might not be so great off CList, but skis, wakeboards, and other items will hold up a little better. You can get a good tube for two people for about $75 and cheap skivests for $25 each.

-Hostage

 

[Philster]

Re: 3.0 or 43

its a buyers market, so bargain down the 4.3 and have them throw in life jackets, towables, etc.

Every new or leftover dealer boat should include a full coast guard package, so don't believe they are suddenly throwing these things in.

 

[JimS123]

Re: 3.0 or 43

IMHO, 7 people and a tube is not compatible with either option. You need a bigger boat!

If those are the only choices, the 3.0 will perform just fine if its propped correctly for the scenario you suggested. But, if sometimes you only have 2 in the boat you won't be happy then.

I'd look at the 2 boats and buy the one that's in better condition, has lower hours, has full maintenance records, has been stored indoors, has never been moored, etc. If all is equal, a SeaRay is a much better boat than a Reinell.

 

[micsol]

Re: 3.0 or 43

Thanks everyone for the input. the 7 people and tube was a worst case scenario. I honestly dont plan on more than 4-5 people total on the boat. The sea ray is in far better condition and I think thats the one im going to go with. any idea on what prop I should be running I was thinking a four blade prop would help a lot, are smart tabs worth the money to help it get on plane

 

[fish hook]

Re: 3.0 or 43

8000' is getting up there -I also snowmobile high altitude and it's like they all say "there's no replacement for displacement"!! Go with the 4.3 for sure

 

[drrpm]

Re: 3.0 or 43

Keep looking. At that altitude you'll lose 10-15% of your baseline horsepower. Running a 3.0 wide open is not more efficient than running a 4.3 at a more moderate level. Given the altitude and planned purpose I'd say look for an EFI 4.3 or a 5.0. Who wants an underpowered toy?

 

[JimS123]

Re: 3.0 or 43

Thanks everyone for the input. the 7 people and tube was a worst case scenario. I honestly dont plan on more than 4-5 people total on the boat. The sea ray is in far better condition and I think thats the one im going to go with. any idea on what prop I should be running I was thinking a four blade prop would help a lot, are smart tabs worth the money to help it get on plane

If all you want to do is tube, by all means go with the 4-blade. If you want an all-around best prop, that you can get max performance when just 2 of you are in the boat as well, go with a SS 3-blade. As far as the size, you need to first get data with the one you have on now as a benchmark. Call any of the major after-market prop manufacturers with your rpm data and they can point you in the right direction.

But remember, no one boat does it all. Need to compromise or buy a coupla boats. Also, your altitude is going to be a stretch!

After the boat vis propped to meet your requirements, THEN start talking about tabs and fins. Get the right combo and you may not need anything else.

 

[JimS123]

Re: 3.0 or 43

Keep looking. Who wants an underpowered toy?

What does underpowered mean? That's a matter of opinion!

One guy in our club currently has a gofast with twin 454's. He got 60+ and thought it was OK until a new guy showed up that could do 65+. Now his gas guzzling 454's are underpowered.

Another old codger has an 18' Trihull that he runs fishing with a 9.9 (it could easily take a 150!) He thinks he's got the cats *****.