OMC 2.3? Enough power

[Autowizzard]

Looking at a 17' Ebbtide with a OMC 2.3 My wife is a water skier, Just curious if anyone has had one of these motors and how they are power wise? Shes used to a 3.0 Merc which isn't a monster but works, Thanks

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: OMC 2.3? Enough power

do it right, go 4.3 minimum.

 

[Susquehanna Squid]

Re: OMC 2.3? Enough power

It depends on the weight of the boat. I have 3.0 liter OMC and it pulls fine but I would go no lower. Oh, and I wish I had a 4.3!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: OMC 2.3? Enough power

also the omc drives are poorly supported any more.

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: OMC 2.3? Enough power

I have a lot of time on a 17' Four Winns with that power train. (2.3 Ford w/OMC Cobra)

The 2.3 is a good motor. It likes to rev. I think it is rated up to 5300 rpms or something close to that. This allows you to put a lower pitch prop on and get good hole shot and not "over" rev at WOT as easily as some other motors.

The boat we had could get my dad (220lb) out of the hole from a deep water start on a slalom ski. It didn't pop him up like a tournament ski boat but it would get him up every time.

In fact that boat also pulled my brother in law barefoot. He started from a slalom ski then dropped it.

Is it an ideal boat/motor for skiing? No. Can it do it? Yes.

 

[Autowizzard]

Re: OMC 2.3? Enough power

I really want a 4.3 but times are tight now and this boat is a good deal, I'm sure I'll upgrade in the near future, But I appreciate the responses, To the guy that had the four winns what was the top speed of that boat? Thanks

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: OMC 2.3? Enough power

The pitot speedo indicated between 42-44 at top speed. I believe that is was probably pretty close to that. We didn't have GPS back then. The boat was a 1990.

 

[Tacklewasher]

Re: OMC 2.3? Enough power

also the omc drives are poorly supported any more.

This would make me walk away more than it being a 2.3.

Too hard to get parts or to find someone to work on them.

 

[Autowizzard]

Re: OMC 2.3? Enough power

Being a OMC Im assuming? I would agree the only fuel for me on that is owner has a reciept for a rebuild on the lower unit 2 years ago, I'm still deciding on it, I can buy the boat for 1500 and it's fairly decent, The 2.3 shouldn't be too hard for some parts as it's basically a old ford car engine from my research.