Boat Purchase - Is Engine Below Standard?

[mrfizban]

I just put money down on a boat pending the "test drive" and my financing approval and it is for a 2001 Bluewater Breeze 18' bowrider. The boat looks immaculate and only has 40 hours on the meter. Everything seems too good to be true. One of my only concerns is that the NADA shows that the stock engine option in this boat has 190HP, and all the other 18' Bluewater Breeze ads I see have 4.3L Volvo's with 190HP. This boat has a 3.0L Volvo so I'm wondering if that is an issue or does somebody know if that could have been a purchase option or if it is something to be worried about. Also does anyone have any other advise? The price is $11,000 and the NADA low book value is over $13,000 if it was a 190HP engine and even with the 135HP 3.0L option selected it would still be over $11,000 low book. That seems like a pretty sweet offer for a boat with only 40 hours. What do you think? Here's the link to the ad...<br /><br /> http://adcache.boattraderonline.com/6/7/3/76715873.htm <br /><br />Thanks.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Boat Purchase - Is Engine Below Standard?

Most people will probably suggest that a 3.0L doesn't cut the mustard, 55 hp is a big difference. But IMO it depends on what you will be using the boat for, a 3.0L will cruise just as well as a 4.3L and most fish don't care what power plant you are running. Water toys are a different story, you may want the extra HP. You need to weigh up the cost savings against the speed and power difference between a 4.3L & 3.0L. <br /><br />The price seems good.<br /><br />Aldo

 

[BadMoJoe]

Re: Boat Purchase - Is Engine Below Standard?

I have a 1998 monterey 18' bowrider with a 4.3 ltr. I am glad I have the bigger engine and sometimes wish I could get a little more. When pulling skiers or tubers you just need a little more umph!

 

[rabidfish]

Re: Boat Purchase - Is Engine Below Standard?

It wont be a rocket, but alot of 18-footers run the 3.0L. If it planes off well, you'll be OK.

 

[mrfizban]

Re: Boat Purchase - Is Engine Below Standard?

Thanks for the info. Actually, I know it looks funny to look at my question, but I was actually wondering if the 3.0 was a stock engine option for a 2001 Bluewater. On the other 10-20 boats I've researched and blue booked with the NADA, the standard HP the NADA lists is the lowest offered with the boat and you add the option on the NADA to add $$ for more motor. The NADA for a 2001 Bluewater says 4.3L V-6 is standard and this boat has a 3.0L 4 cyl. This made me a little nervous. So I was wondering if there is a way to find a 2001 specs manual or what were the powerplant options for that boat. Is that something I'll have to contact Bluewater to find out? Thanks again for the advice.<br /><br />PS - My kids are 2 and 5 and we're just looking to intertube and maybe I'll anchor down a few times a year to Sturgeon fish, but I'm cool with the 3.0L lack of power until my kids become teenagers and I can afford a vehicle that can tow 4,000+lbs.

 

[mattttt25]

Re: Boat Purchase - Is Engine Below Standard?

just take it out for the scheduled spin. take along another adult, preferably a large buddy. with three adults on the boat, you'll get a good feel for the performance to expect. if you're not satisfied, back out and don't let the dealer talk you in to it. good luck-

 

[cuzner]

Re: Boat Purchase - Is Engine Below Standard?

For what its worth, I had a 3l merc. on a 19ft cuddy. Heavier than a bowrider. Wasn't a speed demon but did a goog job, did alot of skiing and water sports. Motor was reliable and good on gas.<br /><br /> Jim

 

[mercrewser]

Re: Boat Purchase - Is Engine Below Standard?

Put a vented propeller on it and that will liven up acceleration

 

[BRG25]

Re: Boat Purchase - Is Engine Below Standard?

You will find the 4.3 will make a big difference when you start piling on people and gear. However with gas prices being what they are, I think it's a smart move.

 

[lakelivin]

Re: Boat Purchase - Is Engine Below Standard?

I can guess the probable answer to this, but will ask out of curiosity anyways.<br /><br />Would it be possible / economically feasible to swap out the 3.0 for a used 4.3L in 4 or 5 years when the kids start to get bigger? I know first of all you'd have to find the bigger motor in similar condition to yours. Secondly you'd lose on the trade in (beyond the difference in the value of the engines)unless you could sell yours independantly of the new one, probably a pain for most recreational boat owners. <br />But what would it cost (approximately) to have someone swap out motors independant of all of the above?

 

[NCOffSeason]

Re: Boat Purchase - Is Engine Below Standard?

You will want the extra HP. I had a 4.3 in my '01 Glastron and always wished it had a V8.

 

[MrBill]

Re: Boat Purchase - Is Engine Below Standard?

LakeLivin: Anything's possible ...but engine replacement, unless you get one helluva deal, probably isn't worthwhile in an old 18 footer unless the old engine is completely gone.<br /><br />mrfizban: If you buy now for a reasonable price and find its not enough power two or three years later...you can sell at a reasonable price and move up. You're ecountering a typical phenomenon, a lot of novice buyers get new 18-21 foot boats with 3.0l engines to keep the price low. The 4.3 or 5.0 engine upgrade increases new boat cost 3 to 8 thousand dollars, those on a tight budget or the unknowing tend to skimp on power. The 3.0 is adequate...

 

[bighornarcher]

Re: Boat Purchase - Is Engine Below Standard?

"So I was wondering if there is a way to find a 2001 specs manual or what were the powerplant options for that boat. Is that something I'll have to contact Bluewater to find out?" <br /><br />Looks like that is your best bet.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Boat Purchase - Is Engine Below Standard?

I am sure it would have been an option and the spec for 2005 3.0L I do not think have changed. <br /><br />I have a 1980 21 foot Crestliner Runabout with a Closed bow. Engine I selected is the 3.0L 181CI.<br />On my boat top speed is 38 MPH. It planes right at 20 with no tab use. I use a 19 inch prop and turn 4200 rpms. I cruise at 25 MPH at 3000 RPMS. This is with 5 people about 200 each, full fuel tanks and heavy weight and fishing gear. Inland for shorter trips with lots of starts and stops I use a 17 pitch prop and have a top speed of 35 mph at 4600 rpms.<br /><br />Things I like is gas mileage. When I run with a group out to Cordel Fishing banks 25 miles offshore and fish until 1300 or 1400 then come back in my GPS, Loran C, and depth finder will all show about 60 miles traveled. It takes me 18 gallons to fill up. The guys I go with will take 21 to 25 gallons to refill. Another factor for me is it only has one exhaust manifold / Riser so half the Saltwater maintenance cost. Also very easy to get to everything lots of room around engine since engine box will also hold a big V8. <br /><br />So if you want to be the one to lead all the other boats back or it bothers you to have other boats pass you get the a bigger motor.