Newbe needs INFO on first boat purchase

[imported_Sloopy]

I'm looking to buy my first boat but know very little about them. Size will be around 18' to 20' open bow. Question; will a 4cly 130 hp I/O have enough power for one skiing or tubing with four adults on board? Is Volvo or Mercury motor better? What name brand boats should I avoid? What should I look for before buying the boat? If thire is anything else I should know feel free to tell me. Thanks

 

[blifsey]

Re: Newbe needs INFO on first boat purchase

Greetings Sloopy and welcome...In general, I recommend reading/searching througn forum here - lots of good info. To answer a few of your questions...I've been researching some of the same issues in upgrading my boat. Most reccomendations I've seen say a 4.3 minimum in the 18 and 5.0 in a 20. I now folks w/3.0 in a 18' and while OK, could benefit from more HP. Volvo vs Merc - motors in newer boats are all based on Chevy enginers. Difference is the outdrive and some engine components. Either outdrives are fine and decision may be based more on getting service based on your location. If going used, have it checked out by a pro called a surveyor. New or used, insist on a sea trial. Other good advice is to go to local lake and watch others and see what kind of boats they have compared to what you want boat for.<br /><br />Good Luck,<br />BL...

 

[imported_Sloopy]

Re: Newbe needs INFO on first boat purchase

Thats what I've been hearing to is the 6cyl 4.3L or bigger for skiing. Thire are more 4cly for sale in my area that 6cyl and 8cyl. I just wanted to hear if a 4cly 130hp can do the job in a 18'boat with the four adults plus the skier. Anybody use a 4cyl fo skiing and if so how does it do?

 

[sea wolf]

Re: Newbe needs INFO on first boat purchase

the 4 cyl. will pull a skier. but, with 4 adults on board u won't have much of a holeshot which is what u want. get a 6. keep looking, there's lots of boats out there.

 

[Spidybot]

Re: Newbe needs INFO on first boat purchase

To get a better estimate you should consider the boat weight (incl. all stuff onboard). Hull design and weight are main factors when calculating the engine.<br /><br />A light, easy planning hull will do much better regarding skiing. In accelleration weight is very important.<br /><br />When you think about the compromises remember to keep an eye on running costs - mpg is normally better from 4-bangers.

 

[amtsst]

Re: Newbe needs INFO on first boat purchase

My 2 cents:<br /><br />"Question; will a 4cly 130 hp I/O have enough power for one skiing or tubing with four adults on board?"<br />***YES...provided your skiier isn't a big person on a slalom ski. He/she would drown before you pulled them up. The loaded boat will certainly pull up a smaller person on two skis and will tow a tube just fine. You could monkey with prop pitches (trade top speed for hole shot and/or go to a 4-5 blade prop). There is still no replacement for displacement!!<br /><br />Is Volvo or Mercury motor better? ***COMPARABLE. The bigger question is the reliability of your local dealers. If you have the luxury of choosing, pick the outdrive based on where you want to do business.<br /><br />What name brand boats should I avoid? ***To avoid a fight, may I suggest you simply search on some of these terms within the bulletin board: "poor, cheap, shoddy, weak"<br /><br />What should I look for before buying the boat? ***I second the idea that you do must do a sea trial. Insist on compression checks. Check fluids after the sea trial. Test every sq. inch of the boat for soft spots in the floor. Ensure function of all gauges.

 

[L Christopher]

Re: Newbe needs INFO on first boat purchase

My $ .02 also:<br />Check out JD Power survey on boats. It will give you a feel for quality fit & finish. Power wise: get the most you can afford. My guess is that if you are seeing alot of 4 & 6 cly for sell used, it's because the owner is not happy with power.

 

[rogerwa]

Re: Newbe needs INFO on first boat purchase

I hava a seventeen foot Sea Ray (16'6" LOA) with the 130 hp 3.0l Mercruiser.<br /><br />I have a wife and four small kids (under nine) and the boat is perfect for whatever. We tube and I have pulled a kneeboard with absolutely no problem. I can run all weekend on one tank of gas and have some left over.<br /><br />With that being said, I would not want any bigger boat with that engine. I have had a few occasions when we had friends aboard that I did have the pedal to the metal and had difficulty planing.<br /><br />I am currently running a 17p prop which gives me about 39 mph lighly loaded at about 4900 RPM. The recommended WOT on this rig is 4200-4600 so the max I would get from this prop and not blow the engine is around 32-33. This is propped primarily for watersports and not speed. <br /><br />Like everything, this is a compromise. I wanted the 3.0l because of the economy and the simplicity to service it myself. There is lots of room for me to get at the parts on the engine and if it blows, it will be cheaper than a 6 or 8 cyl engine.<br /><br />If you do a lot of cruising, the 3.0l may be fine. If you are into watersports, try to find a larger engine. With more power you will never be sorry. I have heard the Volvo drives are rock solid. They also have a cone clutch that makes shifting into gear smoother and easier on the drivetrain. Also, no clunk. I would opt for Volvo if I had the choice..

 

[dhammann]

Re: Newbe needs INFO on first boat purchase

I have a '89 heavy fiberglass 17' glassport with a 3.0 mercruiser i/o.<br />No problem pulling my 200lb son-in-law up on one ski with 4 heavy adults and a 120lb German shepard aboard. I run a 21" prop and top out at 38 mph. The motor is easy to service and can run all day on a tank. Cruising speed is 23mph at 3000 rpm. I am very satisfied.

 

[imported_Sloopy]

Re: Newbe needs INFO on first boat purchase

Thanks to all for your imput. Keep them coming, I'm learning alot so far. Thanks again

 

[Bondo]

Re: Newbe needs INFO on first boat purchase

as you read through the forums, you'll notice that the Most common question asked is,"How Do I Get More Power, without spending any money??"..........<br /><br />Best answer is still, Buy a boat with a bigger motor......<br /><br />if you have Too Much(is this possible?) power, you don't HAVE to use it...<br /><br />if you don't have enough, you'll Never be Happy......<br /><br />Bondo

 

[aerwin]

Re: Newbe needs INFO on first boat purchase

I have a 18' gulfstream with a 305 engine (v-8), I would never consider having a 4 cyl. ever. I would like to try the v-6. the 305 sould like a big engine but it does not suck up the fuel like one would expect. you will not regret going as big as you can get. your kids are small now but wait a few years, bigger kids and freinds. you will need all the power you can get. in my opinion the 4 cyl. just has to work to hard and that can cause alot of stress on the engine

 

[KCook]

Re: Newbe needs INFO on first boat purchase

If it has to be the 4cyl I/O rig. And as big a boat as possible. Then aluminum will work better than a fiberglass boat. Here are some threads that talk about aluminum boats -<br /><br />www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=000970<br /><br />www.walleyecentral.com/dcf/boatsandmotors/13678.html<br /><br />When you have specific boat-and-motor combinations picked out, then we can offer more specific advice.<br /><br />Kelly Cook

 

[KCook]

Re: Newbe needs INFO on first boat purchase

^

 

[S.S__P.O.S]

Re: Newbe needs INFO on first boat purchase

hey i dont know ne thing bout the 4cyl or 6cyl I/O (all ive had was a 8cyl 300hp too much power lol) but if u buy from a average joe tell him ull be there at like 3:00pm and show up like 15min earlier to make sure he did not start the boat just b4 u got there. (feeling engine to see if hot also works but he could cranked it and stuuf b4 u got there) also check for gas fumes b4 he starts it and after u run it. and like everyone says take on test ride. also try to find ANY problems and point them out like its a bigger problem that way the price is more flexable. and one more big thing espically when getting a I/O DONT BUY IT CAUSE ITS CHEAP, SPEND A LIL MORE FOR THE GOOD ONE!!!!!! ive been ripped off enuf