Upgrading from 19 to 22 cuddy

[Paul.v]

Hey guys, I have a 1989 Bayliner Capri 1952 cuddy. 5.7 Cobra. In pretty good shape, just put new carpet in, floor was solid. I’ve owned for 15 years, repowered 13 years ago 300 hrs on motor. All round great boat. We like to entertain, hang out at sandbars etc. SO, I’m considering a 1995 Larson 220 Hampton cuddy. It’s 5.0 MPI Cobra. Original owner 400 hrs on motor. Really like the layout ov the cuddy & head. No carpet. Going for a test drive in 3 days. I’ve read the sticky on purchasing used boat. What I know old boat beam 7’3 x19’ @ 2400 lbs. 60 mph @ 4800 rpm. Will cruise at 30 mph at about 2900 rpm. The Larson is 8’6”x22’ @ 3400 lbs. I think the power is about the same. My concerns are fuel consumption, what to expect. 20% more would be ok but I don’t want to double. Also don’t want to feel underpowered. Concerns also about rot & osmosis but will have to check it out. Can I use a moisture meter that I use for hardwood?
i realize these are loaded questions but hoping to tap into others real experience.
thanks guys!

 

[Mischief Managed]

A 5.0 in a 22 foot boat will be lucky to hit 50 MPH, so you may be disappointed with power coming from a 60 MPH boat. I would expect fuel use (in MPG) to closely follow the ratio of the weight of the two boats, thus 3400/2400=1.42, so the heavier bout should use around 42% more fuel to cover the the same distance. I have nothing to offer regarding the moisture meter, but I would expect to find some moisture penetration on a boat that old, especially if it was kept in the water.

 

[Maclin]

You will probably be very disappointed in the power, going from a 260HP GM 5.7 to the OMC/Cobra 215HP 5.0 Ford 302 in a much larger and heavier boat.

 

[Horigan]

I have a similar boat to what you are considering (21', 3100 lbs, 5.0 OMC/Volvo motor) and get 4 mpg at 30 mph/3000 rpm. I'm very happy with the power and hole shot capability, but I've never experienced 5.7L power. Since you're doing a test drive you'll be able to assess the power yourself. I agree that going multi-port on the 5.0 will likely mean equivalent power between the two motors.

 

[Maclin]

The engine referenced in the Larson is a fuel injected (FI not MPI) Ford based 302 cubic inch engine with 215HP. The carbed version had 190HP. The MPI term is not accurate, it may be Fuel Injected but should not be confused with later model MerCruiser/GM MPI systems. If the engine is being touted as MPI that is not accurate.

 

[JASinIL2006]

Before you buy a boat with an OMC Cobra drive, you should see if anyone in your area works on those. They are no longer made and I understand parts can be hard to come by, too.

Beyond that, I think a 22 foot boat with a 5.0 would be pretty doggy.

The mid-90s is around when Larson transitioned to using non-wood stringers and bulkheads; I have heard of '96 Larsons that had wood stringers and '97s (like mine) that don't; both still had wood transom cores, though. I'd check pretty carefully for water intrusion if you're serious about the boat.

 

[Horigan]

My '95 OMC Cobra SX drive is actually a Volvo SX drive (joint venture), so part availability and mechanic know how isn't an issue. My OMC 5.0 EFI is a multi-port, but it may not be as efficient as later multi-ports. I suspect the '95 Larson is the same.

Here's a picture of my motor, likely the same as the Larson.

 

[Blind Date]

Loved my '95 220 Hampton. Mine had 5.7 w/4 barrel carb and jumped on plane like a small runabout. Larson sold lots of them so I'd look for one w/5.7 Alpha.

The only bad thing about the boat is bow access as it doesn't have a walk thru windshield. Ran mine in the Apostle Islands many times.