The old 3.0L question...

[hibbert6]

OK - I've heard it a million times: If ya get a boat with a 3 liter, you'll soon wish you'd bought a boat with a bigger engine.

I don't need to go 40mph, or pull 250lb skiers.

If I buy a 19' bow rider with a 3.0 L Mercruiser, will it pull a slalom skier (say 170#) OK?

What if the boat has a cuddy cabin, instead? I know it will weigh more - but too much more?

Dave

 

[love1u0]

Re: The old 3.0L question...

I dont see why it wouldnt, I pull a 220lb guy on a tube without issue.

 

[ziggy]

Re: The old 3.0L question...

I know it will weigh more - but too much more?

to me, ya hit the nail on the head. it's about weight with a low output engine. if the boat ain't to heavy and ya stay lightly loaded, ya may be ok. start adding a person or two and some more gear, and ya may have issues. there's also safety to consider. there's times when yer out in the crummy weather or whatever other issue that may come up and having more hp can be a saving grace. literally..

 

[Bondo]

Re: The old 3.0L question...

Ayuh,.... With a 3.0l,... Your Slalom skier might have to launch on 2 skis, then drop 1...

 

[ENSIGN]

Re: The old 3.0L question...

I agree depending on the boat and weight a hole shot can be a effort

 

[Thunder_SS]

Re: The old 3.0L question...

wow... I have a 19 ft Sea Ray with a 5.0L and I wouldn't think of going with that boat and anything smaller for HP rating!! JMO

I dont think I would pull that trigger At the end of the summer, you are gonna wish you had gone something bigger....

 

[mkast]

Re: The old 3.0L question...

Buy the boat, post your results.
Then you can get on with your life, looking for another boat that will do what you need.
You've read a million times, buy as much horsepower as you can afford, I wonder why?

 

[ezmobee]

Re: The old 3.0L question...

In an appropriately sized boat the 3.0 is a great motor. My uncle has one in his boat and uses it primarily for watersports. Lots of pulling 6' guys out of the water on a single ski. However, his is a SeaRay 175 which I assume would be less than 18' long. A 19', especially one with a cuddy, is pushing the capabilities of the 3.0.

 

[ziggy]

Re: The old 3.0L question...

you are gonna wish you had gone something bigger....

yep, that's a pretty popular question here on iboats. how can i get more hp out of what i got or can i get a bigger engine. usually, it don't seem that easy to upgrade. no one ever asks how can i reduce the hp on my boat...

my 165hp L6 is ok in a nineteen foot boat. but the boat is lighter than some and the L6 is a torquey engine. if i had less hp, i'd think i could be disappointed in performance. the 165hp engine is max rated hp for my rig too. getting close to max rated hp capacity for the boat in question can be an indication of if your going to low of hp too.

 

[BeaufortTJustice]

Re: The old 3.0L question...

My boat runs over 40mph and gets on plane within 3-4 seconds with 3-4 adults in it. But its only 18ft and 2100 lbs. I agree with others that 19 ft with cuddy is probably pushing it, especially pulling a skier with 2-3 people on board. If you were just going to use it to "putter" around and cruise a bit, then it will probably be adequate. Good luck with your decision.

 

[BRG25]

Re: The old 3.0L question...

I had a 3.0 in a 17' boat...good combination...but the boat didn't ride very well unless it was dead calm. I upgraded to a 4.3 in a 19' and put smart tabs on it...beautiful ride. I've been up to Alexandria Bay (Bond-o's stomping ground) several times and there are some serious barges giving off some serious wakes and my boat did fine. If it's your first boat a 3.0 is a good choice however in a 19' I think that would be pretty underpowered myself. The best thing is to take a ride in a couple different boats with different power packages and you will get a good idea pretty quickly what you want.

 

[Blujay96]

Re: The old 3.0L question...

I have a rinker v180 with the 3.0 in it. It does very well. With the prop that is on it, it goes about 37 mph. Takes off very well. But it is a open bow. I would go with some smart tabs they will help alot. I want to put on a set on my boat

 

[ricovw]

Re: The old 3.0L question...

I have a 17.5 bowrider, with the 3.0 in it. I do some cruises, but mostly watersports. I am a good skier, and no problem pulling me out of the water with a few people in the boat. Skiers of lesser capabilities, is harder to pull out of the water because not quite enough power to pull them out(with a loaded boat). 1 or 2 people it is okay though. As for a slalom skier, Bondo is bang on. You gotta get up on 2 skis, then drop 1. I don't have a tower, but that may help

 

[xxxflhrci]

Re: The old 3.0L question...

I have a 17.5 bowrider with a 3.0. It will go 40 mph with 2 adults in it. 36 or so with 4 adults. It will pull up a 200+ dude up one ski with only 2 people in the boat, but the skier has to do his job. It won't just yank him up. It does good pulling 2 tubes or 2 knee boarders. It does great on fuel. It is a good combo....Would I want a 3.0 in a 19ft bowrider? Most likely not. Would i want it in a 19ft cuddy? Definitely not.

 

[Simoniz]

Re: The old 3.0L question...

Ive got a Bayliner 175 with the 3,0l as well.

I think the boat has enough power for what I generally use it for which is pottering about on a lake with the occasional blast. I sometimes tow a wakeboarder or skiier and its no problem.

The only time I wish I had more power is if we have 5 or 6 in the boat, then it takes all its grunt to get up on the plane quickly and easily, also, whenever I see and hear a boat with a V6 or 8 motor, Im envious of that smooth sound.

When I bought the boat, it was a choice between that and a Rinker (I forget which model) with 5 litre V8 but being in Europe where petrol (gas) is not so cheap, I didnt want a boat where I would be reluctant to take it out due to fuel costs.

Overall Im happy with mine after 4 years of ownership, but if I were to buy another boat, Iwould maybe go for something a little bigger like the 4,3 if I hadnt heard that the engines are not much good.

Once I get my winter projects finished (Exhaust overhaul, new bellows and antifoul stripped off and re applied) Ill be adding a set of smart tabs as well.

Looking forward to April when the boat goes back in the water (which is ice at the moment).

 

[Lodgepole]

Re: The old 3.0L question...

I have a 22 ft aluminum deck boat with a 3.0 Cobra. This thing has no problem coming out of the hole. I have about quit sking at 72 but I am sure I could pop right up on a slalom with 3 or 4 in the boat. I used to have a 15 ft Lone Star with a Johnson 60 hp 4 cylinder. We pulled double sloloms out of the water, one 140# and one 200#. Took a little concentration but we did it all the time. I once took a very slow loop around the lake on 2 skis behind a 12ft, 90# Blue Star aluminum boat powered by a 7.9 hp Champion outboard. I started off the dock just to see if I could do it.

 

[BRG25]

Re: The old 3.0L question...

Overall Im happy with mine after 4 years of ownership, but if I were to buy another boat, Iwould maybe go for something a little bigger like the 4,3 if I hadnt heard that the engines are not much good.

4.3 engines aren't very good? Huh? You have been misinformed...

 

[IES99]

Re: The old 3.0L question...

With the 3.0, the 170# skiier, even with slalom will be just fine for a 19 foot bowrider. Now the cuddy, I'm not sure.

 

[hibbert6]

Re: The old 3.0L question...

OK - those were the specifics I need. I'll get a 4.3 if I go open bow, and a 5.0 or 5.7 if I get a cuddy. Thanks! And Merry Christmas, everyone!

Dave

 

[fat fanny]

Re: The old 3.0L question...

I'll tell ya that I own A 17' open bow w/ the 3.0 LX and I primarily pull my little ones and my son who is 220lbs and I my rig strains a little getting him up with 6 people in the boat so consider the fact that that cuddy front end wieght will be a lot more strain on your hole shot so do the math go bigger on horse power and length. Iwish to this day that I had a larger motor and bigger rig to put it in.