Glastron GT-205 - Which motor?

[Shawn_floats]

As usual, if money were no object in this world, a lot of these kinds of decisions would be easier..... so here we go with the reality of it....

I'm looking into buying a Glastron GT-205 20 foot bowrider. Primary purpose will be joy cruising, pulling my young kids around on the tube and learning to wakeboard.
Expect to have 3-4 adults and three kids (young ones) in the boat.

Now, there are quite a few power plant options available, different sizes in both carburated and EFI.

So....

I know that 3.0L (135HP) is simply too small, so that one is out of the question.

My narrowed down options are;

Volvo Penta GL 4.3L V6 (190 HP) CARBURATED - $3300
Volvo Penta GL 5.0L V8 (220 HP) CARBURATED - $4700
volvo Penta Gxi 4.3L V6 (225 HP) MULTI-PORT FUEL INJECTED - $5300

There is also a MPI VP 5.0L V8 available, but it's a LOT of cash ($7500) and I can't afford quite that much.
Some of the above are pushing it already.

So, I was thinking the 4.3L Fuel Injected V6 at 225 HP was a reasonable choice given that it may have slightly better overall fuel economy.

The 5.0L has a bit more displacement, more cylinders, but I'm thinking that the 4.3L will likely have better starting and overall improved fuel economy, albeit working harder.
From my research, I've found that the 4.3L will push this particular boat to 52MPH, which sounds reasonable to me.

So what do you all think?

Thanks.

 

[John_S]

Re: Glastron GT-205 - Which motor?

The 4.3L MPI will meet most/all of your goals, including fuel economy. The 5.0L V8 will probably be slightly better at the sub-planing speeds w/wakeboarding.

 

[RobDar]

Re: Glastron GT-205 - Which motor?

i do not know if the IO motors are calc'd the same as the outboards but was told that the CG calcs outboards by Length ( in decimal: inches divided by 12) X Width ( in decimal: inches divided by 12) x 2 - 90 = Max HP ( unless otherwise specified by manufactuer to use LESS HP)

 

[MikDee]

Re: Glastron GT-205 - Which motor?

From experience with a few, I've found the 5.0 (305) to be a torquey, yet an economical V8, and this was previous to the newer vortec design, I would guess it's even better now. It might even do better on gas then the 4.3, because even though the 5.7 (350) V8, 5.0 (305) V8, and the 4.3 (262) V6 all share the same 3.48" stroke, the 5.7, and the 4.3, have larger, hungrier, 4" pistons. Also, I think the 4.3 is gonna have to work harder then the 5.0 at all times.

One more thing, I'm gonna take a guess here? that the first 2 engine options are 2bbl carbs, and later on in the future, you'll get more horsepower out of the 5.0 with just a 4bbl carb mod, then you would from the 4.3 set up the same way, and I'd rather deal with a simple carburetor, rather then fuel injection if any issues arrive. IMO, Save your money, I'd get the 5.0 (305) motor.

 

[gotthebox]

Re: Glastron GT-205 - Which motor?

Get the 5.0GL vortec best fuel econ. and top end of 50+. I own this combo. and it is a great boat, this will be my last boat,ever....

 

[gotthebox]

Re: Glastron GT-205 - Which motor?

This is it.

 

[blifsey]

Re: Glastron GT-205 - Which motor?

We had an '02 GX205 for 10 seasons with the 5.0L carb engine (Mercruiser version). It was great for all those uses you mentioned. Never rode in one with the 4.3 EFI but don't think the 4.3L carb would be enough power. I never had any problems with cranking the carb'ed engine (did "pump" the throttle 10 times or so if it had not be run in a while). However, I did have a fair amount of "dieseling" or run-on when shutting down after heavy tubing (2 or 3 tubes, 4 or 5 kids). We ALWAYS shut the engine off when changing out kids on the tubes and this is when it would not shut down immediately. With 2 on board and full tank of gas I could hit 50mph. I was running a 21P (or maybe 19P) SS 3-blade prop. It had enough torque I can only remember needing to push full throttle a few times to get on plane doing water sports - usually 1/2 to 3/4 was plenty.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Glastron GT-205 - Which motor?

Closed gentlemen. This is a 2008 thread.