is a 4cyl undered powered for a 18ft chaperall

[delsol]

i am still thinking about a new leftover chaparall with 4cy w/ merccruser<br />18.3 ft 2100 lbs <br />does anyone think this boat is under powered or can i live with it because its new...<br />its loaded for 16k 2003 new top cd/depht finder trailer lots of nice stuff but 4 cyl

 

[cuzner]

Re: is a 4cyl undered powered for a 18ft chaperall

I had 1 on a 19ft cuddy,only time I had a problem was when I had 6 people in the boat.I used a 17 pitch prop most of the time, 3people in boat + 1 skier was no problem.I never did get around to to putting tabs on but I'm sure they would help. Sounds like a sweet deal!

 

[delsol]

Re: is a 4cyl undered powered for a 18ft chaperall

thanks hopefully i will get more replys

 

[ae708]

Re: is a 4cyl undered powered for a 18ft chaperall

I have an 18' with a 3.0 4 cyl. It's no speed demon but it's adequate for skiing and cruising. I can pull 2 skiiers easily with a 17 pitch prop and run WOT at 48-49 mph with a 19 pitch. I'd love to have a V-6 or V-8 but for the price I'm happy with it.

 

[DJ]

Re: is a 4cyl undered powered for a 18ft chaperall

bobby515,<br /><br />IMHO, you're on the edge. A lot depends on how you will use it. If you put eight people in the boat and expect it to perform, forget it. If you just cruise around, it may be just fine.<br /><br />Where you will really get hurt is at resale time. The 4 cylinder will detract from the value, significantly, and may stop some people from even looking.

 

[navigator336]

Re: is a 4cyl undered powered for a 18ft chaperall

To me, there are two issues. One is how you intend to use it and two is the resale value. Most likely, the reason it is for sale at a bargain price is because it's hard to sell it with the four. If you plan to wake board, inner tube, fish and cruise, it's probably just fine. If you want to water ski, it's under powered. An accomplished skier can get up behind most anything, but wants a good hard pull. A rookie will struggle more if the boat is slow out of the hole and that boat will be. How much more is the same boat with a 4.3 or 5.7? Ask the dealer where you can demo one with the 4 then decide.

 

[ZmOz]

Re: is a 4cyl undered powered for a 18ft chaperall

I certainly wouldn't get it. For $16k you can get a pretty nice used boat. Hell, for $10k you can get an ~18' boat with a big V8, and use the leftover 6k to have a brand new short block installed, even if the engine isn't worn out. As far as I'm concerned, buying a brand new boat with a small engine is just stupid, when there are so many really good used boats with 6 or 8 cylinders.

 

[Link]

Re: is a 4cyl undered powered for a 18ft chaperall

We re-powered a (old 1969) 19ft closed bow with a brand new 4 cylinder merc I/O 10 years ago. For general boating it does just fine. It's easy on fuel and pulls skiers and other water toys easy enough. My friend almost went with a V8 but couldn't pass up the deal on the 4 banger and is now glad he went this way.

 

[garycinn]

Re: is a 4cyl undered powered for a 18ft chaperall

As a "general" rule of thumb, you really want to try to stay at or below 14 as a weight to HP ratio. <br /><br />A hot bowrider will be 11 or 12. 13 is pretty average. 14 is starting to get a little slow. 15 is pushing it.<br /><br />This boat is at 16+<br /><br />My BIL's Allison "bass" boat is about 5 on the other extreme.<br /><br />I think after the first 100 hours you will be begging for more umph. That boat on the used market will be tough to move -- just like it is now on the new market.<br /><br />There are a lot of boats that are two to three years old that have less than 50-60 hours with V6's that will be about the same price. I think you would be much happier.<br /><br />Here are some examples. Not that I am set on Glastron's, but I just did one search. They are not local, but be patient and you will find one closer:<br /><br /> http://adcache.boattraderonline.com/6/8/0/69919880.htm <br /> http://adcache.boattraderonline.com/6/5/0/69050650.htm <br /> http://adcache.boattraderonline.com/6/7/8/70481478.htm <br /> http://adcache.boattraderonline.com/6/9/6/70370696.htm

 

[delsol]

Re: is a 4cyl undered powered for a 18ft chaperall

so far everyonr giving me good opions, but i did have an 18 ft renken with 4cy chevy 3.0 and it did 40 mph was not a speed demon but it was nice but on new boat i like the idea of new because i never had a new boat and would not be able to buy 4.3 that would push the price to 19-20k this boat is 15995 and i might get more off but i dont think so its a 2003 new, i know its there because its a 4cyl 2003 loaded but if i pay 16 and keep it 3 years i could sell it for 9-10k used and lose 6k 2k yr. where has my pont bonnivile sle car costs 33k new its a 2000 mint its worth 12500 retail maybe 13,ooo ..buy more imput from this forum would help as i might go there sat....

 

[garycinn]

Re: is a 4cyl undered powered for a 18ft chaperall

Bobby,<br /><br />Top speed and torque are two different things. Yes, the thing may go fast enough for you with the 3.0L engine -- BUT, will it pull a skier, tube, or wakeboarder with the people and gear you are planning on putting in it?<br /><br />I am passionate about this topic because I almost made the same mistake last year. A deal too good to be true. A gorgeous 18' Caravelle with a 3.0L and weighed 2500 lbs! All the bells and whistles and electronics. I didn't know any better and almost pulled the trigger.<br /><br />For the same price I got a 2-year old Bryant that was 18" longer (19'6"), weighs 2750 with a V6 TBI 210hp with 62 hours on it. It was the same price as the "new" boat. I'm not knocking the other boat brand, it just had the wrong engine in it. I went from a 19 ratio to a 13 ratio, added 1.5' and 10 people CG rating instead of 7. All for the same price.<br /><br />If you have a price in mind and can't get the HP you need, buy slightly used.

 

[garycinn]

Re: is a 4cyl undered powered for a 18ft chaperall

Check it out:<br /><br />'01 Maxum w/ 48 hours $13,550 in NC:<br /><br /> http://adcache.boattraderonline.com/6/2/0/57352520.htm

 

[1986mariner150]

Re: is a 4cyl undered powered for a 18ft chaperall

I usually don't post what could be called advertising, but you may want to have a look at bass pro shops. They have a line of bowriders called Tahaho spell? anyway you can get an 18 4.3 in a brand new 04 for the same money your are talking. I read some posts on this brand here before and went and checked them out for myself, they are some nice boats. I am a bass boat type but do spend some time in a 17 Maxum with the 135 mercrusier and find it to be adaquate from a power / speed standpoint (43mph) and great from a fuel consumption standpoint. It will turn my 23p ss quicksilver prop with no problem and still plane pretty quick. This prop spends most of its time bolted to a 150 Mariner on a 18' bass rig. I have had a 4.3 in a s-10 pickup and it used as much fuel as my full size extended cab with a 5.7. I may have got a lemon though.

 

[garycinn]

Re: is a 4cyl undered powered for a 18ft chaperall

1986,<br /><br />That is a great recommendation! Boating Life Magazine just rated the Tahoe 19'5" bowrider as a "True Value." Here is the link:<br /><br /> http://www.boatinglifemagazine.com/article_content.jsp?ID=33289 <br /><br />Here is the full review:<br /><br /> http://www.boatinglifemag.com/article_content.jsp?ID=9574 <br /><br />Gets that weight to power ratio down to under 12!!<br /><br />All for $16K

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: is a 4cyl undered powered for a 18ft chaperall

Age old Topic! Is brute HP better? Most boaters will say the best bang for the buck is the biggest engine. Ask the question Why? <br />Answers are: <br />1)It is needed to get on Plane easier.<br />2)Better performance with larger loads.<br />3)Pull Skiers easier out of the hole.<br />4)More top speed.<br />5)Better fuel economy (NOT).<br />6)etc.<br /><br />Put enough HP on the rear end of an elephant and it will plane - but it is not a good hull design.<br /><br />Brute HP does not dictate performance, the hull design dictates performance. Balance and Hull efficiency are more important.<br /><br />But HP sells! <br /><br />You can not ski behind a barge, and you can not carry 500,000 pound in a ski boat.<br /><br />We tested two identicle new 19' i/o boats, one with a 5.0 V8 and the other with a V6. The V8 was 3 MPH faster at the top end but 1.5 seconds slower to plane. Same load both times. We put Smart Tabs on both boats and increase the performance of both, but the v6 ended up running within 1/2 MPH of the V8 at Top End. The V6 still outperformed the V8 in time to plane. (both boats ran in the 50 MPH range). <br /><br />I am not going to make a recomendation, but I think a 3.0 ltr. engine is probably better balanced for a 18.0' boat. Keep in mind that the actual hull length is about 18" shorter than the overall length including the swim platform. You don't want excessive stern weight.

 

[garycinn]

Re: is a 4cyl undered powered for a 18ft chaperall

Originally posted by nautiJohn:<br /><br />I am not going to make a recomendation, but I think a 3.0 ltr. engine is probably better balanced for a 18.0' boat.

Is that so you can sell him a set of smart tabs later <br /><br />Sorry, I couldn't resist the jab. It was tongue-in-cheek.<br /><br />Actually, I like your product. I wish I could install them on my boat, but the transom design won't permit it.<br /><br />I would have to disagree. I think the 3.0L should be retired.

 

[garycinn]

Re: is a 4cyl undered powered for a 18ft chaperall

Originally posted by nautiJohn:<br /><br />We tested two identicle new 19' i/o boats, one with a 5.0 V8 and the other with a V6. The V8 was 3 MPH faster at the top end but 1.5 seconds slower to plane. Same load both times. We put Smart Tabs on both boats and increase the performance of both, but the v6 ended up running within 1/2 MPH of the V8 at Top End. The V6 still outperformed the V8 in time to plane. (both boats ran in the 50 MPH range).

John, you are comparing a V6 with a V8 and hoping the same difference applies to an I4 and V6. Also, were both V6 and V8 carb or injected? HP wise, the V6 MPI and V8 carb are same, though torque is better in the V8.

 

[bluewater19]

Re: is a 4cyl undered powered for a 18ft chaperall

Around here you can get a new 2003 glastron 175sx left over for under 16,000 and thats with the 190 hp V-6. Mine will pull 3 skiers no problem with a 21 pitch prop and go over 58mph with a 23 pitch tempest plus. This price includes bimini and depth finder.

 

[quantumleap]

Re: is a 4cyl undered powered for a 18ft chaperall

I had a 3.0 in a 95 crownline 176 and it was underpowered. Got terrible mileage on the river compared to my buddy's 5.2 because I was running at full throttle to fight the current while he was operating closer to his optimal crusing range. Do yourself a favor and follow the majority of advice you are getting here. The thought of buying a new boat is nice, but the minute you pull it off the lot it aint new anymore! I bet you'd struggle to sell that boat for 10 or 11K by the end of summer. Buy a boat that is a year or two old with a v-6 or v-8 and you'll be much happier. A boat like that will still look and seem brand new. Which ever route you take, be safe and enjoy!

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: is a 4cyl undered powered for a 18ft chaperall

Graycinn;<br /><br />I do not mind you poking fun, actually I'm flattered that you read the post.<br /><br />I4, V6, Or V8 I would still recommend trim tabs, I just feel that there is too much focus on brute HP at the sacrifice of balance. <br /><br />Quantumleap suggests that his boat sucked up more fuel simply because the engine was smaller and it worked harder. Again, hull design, balance, total weight, power plant efficiency, and a host of other factors come into play before a comparrison can be made. <br /><br />Lubedude started out with a bass boat he was happy with. It ran in the high 50's and "handled well" yet it got even better, and once the hull was more efficient, a deeper pitch prop change was possible and the boat ran in the mid 60's +. Same boat same engine. <br /><br />As for buying new or used - that is a personal preference. Personaly I am more prone to buying a late model used boat since there a thousand of low hour boats in the market.