Is a 1993 5.0 just a good motor?

[jwilkey84]

I'm considering my first family boat. I have had boats in the past but I want a decent used boat for my family. I'm torn between buying an older (1993) quality boat like a cobalt or buying a newer 99-03 boat that maybe isn't quite as good quality but has a newer engine setup and prly be easier to sell in 5 years. So the cobalt is a 93 198 with less than 300 hrs on it ; original owner. 5.0 merc. $7000. Or I could get a 2003 rinker 192 with a 4.3 mpi for $10000. Which is a wiser move. All input is appreciated

 

[Fishermark]

Both are old enough that there could be issues. Age alone is not a problem necessarily. It's how they have been used and maintained. Have you done a sea trial with either one?

 

[alldodge]

93 Cobalt dry weight 2800 and 23 years old average $4940
03 Rinker dry weight 2690 and 13 years old average $9250

IMO the Cobalt is over priced and could bring a bit more if it had the 5.7 but not that much. Folks will always like the Cobalt over the Rinker, but it's the motor that makes the boat and they both run. The Rinker could probably be had for 9K and it a 8 foot beam and the Cobalt is 8.5 foot. They will both be 5 years older at possible sale time. If you get the Cobalt for 5000 to 5500 it will still be worth about that at sale time. The Rinker will be in the 6K range

 

[jwilkey84]

Well the cobalt is a one owner and owner says has been maintained as they run a car dealership. Most of manttnence done there. None documented from a marina or anything. will a 6" wider beam make a difference? Will it just be a ride comfort thing or will it affect turning and driving or what is the big deal about the beam width ?

 

[thumpar]

The beam will make the boat feel bigger inside. Mine is a 8.5 and feels a lot bigger than the same length boat with smaller beam.

 

[alldodge]

The Cobalt could be the cleanest and most well maintained boat ever, but it's still a 93 and a car dealership doesn't give me a warm fuzzy when it comes to boats. The beam comment was just info for you on differences.

I have a buddy which has a 70-something Conroy which he has owned for more then 25 years, and we rebuilt the motor years ago and it's still doing just fine. A boat is as much as you want or need, the want is easy, the need is more confining.

 

[jwilkey84]

So in general; since there are more and more fuel injected boats on the market...is the fuel injection a good choice for the extra hp to weight ratio? I have read post after post about how the 5.0's are doggy. The 4.3 seems to be a good choice in a 17-19' boat. I think I want a 19-21' boat. All I do is family outings to a local lake that is no more than two miles long in the ski area. There aren't huge waves normally. So would I like a normal 5.0 in a 20' boat or a 4.3mpi in a 20' boat. If I'm not mistaken they are about the same hp. And I know there is always gonna be the carb vs mpi debate.

 

[thumpar]

Fuel injection is nice. I helps for easier starts and less maintenance. The HP is not different unless it is an MPI. My 5.7l EFI is the same HP as a carbed 5.7l. The MPI will make more power. Between the 5.0 carbed and 4.3 MPI I would probably go for the 4.3 MPI.