Which Boat? - 19 to 20 footer / v4 to v8 mercurycruiser stern drive

[neuro242]

sorry, another 'which boat' thread. hopefully my last thread 'before' i make a decision and purchase:

Below are the boats I have narrowed it down to. Im looking for a runabout / ski boat for the family. I will always have atleast 4 ppl on board. I will usually have 6 ppl on board. I will regularly have 8 ppl on board but not every time. So, Im going w/ the number of 8 to be safe. I need the power to hold 6 and tow 2 at the very least for this reason. Im aware that the 3.0 v4 mc engine will not be enough in most cases. Or just not ideal. I know the 4.3 v6 seems to be the most popular mid range but I have come accross a clean 1990 Chaparral 2000 SL w/ 305 V8. Im wondering about fuel usage and reliability and things of that nature compared to the 4.3 v6. I have found a good deal of 3.0 v4 options in the chaparral 1800 SL. All about $4k or a little less for low 90's models. Same price w/ the 4.3 v6 on 18' chaparrals. The 19's seem to be harder to find and have not found a good clean one. Have found few options w/ the 4.3 v6 1800 SL's that are still in good shape but they are out there and about same price $4k. The 20' with v8 is about $1k more, its a 90 model. Opinions? Is there something Im not thinking about? What would you get in this situation?

- 92 Chaparral 1800 SL (3.0 v4) (dry weight about 1500 lbs) - $4k
- 92 Chaparral 1800 SL (4.3 v6) - $4k
- 90 Chaparral 2000 SL (305 v8) (dry wieght about 2500 lbs) - $5,500

- still trying to find a 1900 SL w/ 4.3 v6

 

[83Evinrude]

Re: Which Boat? - 19 to 20 footer / v4 to v8 mercurycruiser stern drive

The 20ft boat will be the most comfortable with 8 on board. The 3.0 will be underpowered (IMO, YMMV) and will be an inline motor not a V4.

The V6 boat would also be an option and performance will probably be close to the 20ft since it will be a bit lighter. Our 19ft boat weighs about 2500lbs and is a very good performer with a 5.0L (nice holeshot and 53mph top end.) As expected fuel usage will be best on the 3.0 and worst on the 5.0L with the 4.3 in between.

 

[livin4real]

Re: Which Boat? - 19 to 20 footer / v4 to v8 mercurycruiser stern drive

I would drop the 4 banger altogether. With that many people onboard your going to want as much power as you can get. Also you should be able to find 95's or 96's for around $5500. There are tons of deals out there right now, with the economy the way it is. Check out boattrader.com and craigslist if you haven't already.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Which Boat? - 19 to 20 footer / v4 to v8 mercurycruiser stern drive

Im going w/ the number of 8 to be safe. I need the power to hold 6 and tow 2

party animal...


imho i would go v8 and 20'. that's a lot of people and a lot of weight... and a lot of gear...

my 19' is old and closed bow. only rated for 6 people. more than three on board and i find it cramped.. maybe a br would be more forgiving but i still think bigger the better (length and hp) for what your wanting to do... i might also throw out the 305 idea and seek out a 350... more mods ya can do to the 350 i think... + the weight is about the same...

 

[paulspaddle]

Re: Which Boat? - 19 to 20 footer / v4 to v8 mercurycruiser stern drive

8 ppls on board regularly is a lot.

Are you talking a few couples and some kids or all adults?

Do you know your boating habits or is this speculation?

I'm going to speculate that 8 is a mix of families. In my experience when there are multiple families, rarely do they all want to be on the boat at the same time, unless you are going for a cruise. If you are doing watersports inevitably there will be some who prefer to hang on the beach somewhere rather than the twisting turning - stop/go of watersports. At first ALL want to be on the boat....a few tube rides later, someone wants to 'go in'.

Knock off the 4 banger. (as I think you have) It's not going to cut it.

Your gas prices are significantly less than ours (Canadian) so cost of fuel seems to be less of a factor for you guys, but I'm always aware of fuel prices as a factor. If prices are as high as they were at their height of last summer, could you stomach that? (they will be again...someday)

If you don't give a rats --- about fuel, then by all means, "pay to play" and go for a bigger engine, BUT this does seem to be a factor in you decision.

I think a 4.3 will 'pull' a skier out, not 'pop' him out. Can you live with that?

You can change your props for different applications.

I'm a conservative person when it comes to usage of stuff. I think, "what is good enough", rather than, "what is better". It's easy to justify bigger, faster, better.

The 4.3 is $1500 less initially. (assuming we're comparing apples and apples)

It will run a bit more efficiently in the long run...which equals = free beer.

 

[neuro242]

Re: Which Boat? - 19 to 20 footer / v4 to v8 mercurycruiser stern drive

Good info. Thanks. I have only seen a handful of 4.3L 19' and 1 20' 5.0L so far for sale, boatrader, ebay, craigslist... within TN & KY areas that are in nice shape. Most others so far need something major. Still warmer weather is coming and more will be for sale but prices will go up. Im thinking of jumping on the 20' if I can get the price down. If not Ill keep watching for another deal. I just havnt seen much to choose from as far as 19' or 20' go ...in that price range so far.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Which Boat? - 19 to 20 footer / v4 to v8 mercurycruiser stern drive

Just a suggestion neuro, update your profile with your location. Even though you hinted at it in your last post. We have a lot of craigslist junkies on here that may be inclined to send you a deal or two they find. Good luck with your search.

 

[mpod]

Re: Which Boat? - 19 to 20 footer / v4 to v8 mercurycruiser stern drive

Neuro,
I have a 19 footer with 4.3L Carb and regularly carry 7 adults (5 are college aged) ranging anywhere from 125lbs to 260lbs.

On most outings we will start off wakeboarding then pull the tube with three on the tube. I have run with 8 on board but I try to keep the limit to 7 for comfort sake.

Frankly when it's a bunch of kids or twenty somethings, they aren't too concerned about sitting close to each other on the aft bench seat. They are too busy with "what are we doing next" and someone is usually out on the water.

That said, when my wife and I want to just get out and cruise and relax, we'll usually invite another couple and keep the number down to 4. The "big kids" do like to stretch out...

This size and power combination work great for us but we do try think about the days activities before we decide who and how many will be joining us.

 

[neuro242]

Re: Which Boat? - 19 to 20 footer / v4 to v8 mercurycruiser stern drive

updated profile: Nashville

Yeah, my 1st choice was a 19 w/ 4.3 however im not finding good options right now thats nice and clean.

 

[sickwilly]

Re: Which Boat? - 19 to 20 footer / v4 to v8 mercurycruiser stern drive

This one caught my eye here today: http://nashville.craigslist.org/boa/1608274536.html

Its actually in garage saying garage kept, versus out under a pile of leaves saying garage kept. Nice looking boat.

I have a 19 Stingray with a 4.3, would not want to go under that, as we do a lot of water sports. Mine has a similar set up to the above, and we do 8 in it often, 4 adults and 4 kids.

 

[cwhite6]

Re: Which Boat? - 19 to 20 footer / v4 to v8 mercurycruiser stern drive

That is a beautiful boat sickwilly. I would love to find one like that next year when I start looking to add one to the stable.

 

[sickwilly]

Re: Which Boat? - 19 to 20 footer / v4 to v8 mercurycruiser stern drive

You see the beauties after you already sunk much more into the one you already bought!

What caught my eye about that one is it sure seems to be owned by a meticulous person -- look at the garage around the boat. That person keeps up with their stuff.

Now, that is not to say a 15 year old boat will not need some maintenance -- but that is a darn clean looking 15 year old boat!

 

[neuro242]

Re: Which Boat? - 19 to 20 footer / v4 to v8 mercurycruiser stern drive

Yeah, I called on the Ebtide and he's out of town for a few weeks. Cant even see it yet so Im going to continue looking until. I can get this for $5,500, even though its listed for $6900 but not sure about quality of Maxum: http://www.flerlage.com/searchengine/Details.aspx?diid=2553521&bvdid=20141&type=ANB&indid=1&sortCol=Length&sortDir=DESC&page=3&#

19' 4.3L

How does this Maxum compare to Chaparral?

 

[sickwilly]

Re: Which Boat? - 19 to 20 footer / v4 to v8 mercurycruiser stern drive

Maxum is made by Brunswick -- its an upscale version of a Bayliner, and with the great recession is a line Brunswick dropped. They are great boats.

How any boat brand for a 15 year old boat compares with any other means less than how the boat was cared for and stored over that period of time.

For example, that boat looks real good, but its outside in the Ohio weather under a cover. The other is in a garage, with the original owner. Covers breath and let moister through. That is going to make a difference. That being said, the pics look good.

Don't get in too much of a hurry! You will find one, and the lake around here are still down and cold anyway. We are still freezing at night, so the boat will have to still be winterized. Thus, no hurry!

 

[sickwilly]

Re: Which Boat? - 19 to 20 footer / v4 to v8 mercurycruiser stern drive

Here is another good looking one, but maybe has too small of an engine:

http://nashville.craigslist.org/boa/1613512011.html

 

[blairjbyrd]

Re: Which Boat? - 19 to 20 footer / v4 to v8 mercurycruiser stern drive

I had a 160hp 4 cyclinder and was really surprised at how it performed. It was in a 18 ft open bow. They are have some torgue. Just my 2 cents.

I would just be patient you will know the boat you are going to buy when you see it.

 

[sickwilly]

Re: Which Boat? - 19 to 20 footer / v4 to v8 mercurycruiser stern drive

I would go look at this one too, if you think you will be into water sports:

http://nashville.craigslist.org/boa/1614109246.html

You will need to be sure there is no wood rot, but those old Malibu's are a hell of a boat, and you have less maintenance cost with no outdrive. Those things drive and handle great, with a ton of pulling power.

Back in the day, I had the closed bow version of the Malibu skier -- same year (that boat is the Sunsetter, which is an open bow design, there was one out when I test drove my malibu and it was sweet). I wish I would have been able to hold onto that boat while in college! It was awesome.

 

[Champmara]

Re: Which Boat? - 19 to 20 footer / v4 to v8 mercurycruiser stern drive

I found and bought a 1990 2000SL 4 years ago up at Tellico Village with <300 hours, garage kept and like new (Merc. 5.7 with Alpha 1). I have no problem pulling (2) 200 lb wakeboarders out of the water along with 4-5 bigs in the boat at the same time. I'd say go V-8 all the way. Even with gas at $4.00/gal. a couple of years ago, a tankfull cost me $65-70 for a full day. About the cost of taking my gang to the movies.

 

[tawood]

Re: Which Boat? - 19 to 20 footer / v4 to v8 mercurycruiser stern drive

You guys make me laugh with the "4 banger won't cut it" stuff. I've got a 19 footer with a 4 cylinder 3.0....it does great. I usually have 6 people in the boat while waterskiing or tubing/kneeboarding, and it does fine. Actually, I prefer it to the v8 I used to have, 'cause I can run all weekend on one tank of gas. My boat's best mileage is about 6 mpg at 24 mph (figured solo).
I have skiied with 7 on board too (in michigan, you can't ski with the boat filled to capacity, which would be 8, because the law says you need room for the skiier).
Now, I can only top out at about 38 or so with 8 on board, but sooooo what?

 

[jkust]

Re: Which Boat? - 19 to 20 footer / v4 to v8 mercurycruiser stern drive

With your estimated load of people, I don't think anything but the v8 will be acceptable. My 18 footer is 2900 lbs dry so a lot heavier loaded with 33 gallons of gas and all of our gear. A lot of the 18 footers weigh up to 700lbs less. I have only the 190hp v6 (270 v8 was the top power). I am probably pushing the limits of a 2bbl v6 for practicality. With 6 on board and two of them little kids, the hole shot is a total dog. Luckily for me that is unusual or I would be complaining a lot more. I'd bet you'd think the same thing with anything under a v8 with all those people onboard. Regarding the 4 banger won't cut it comment. I'd agree. I'd liken it to how I used to think my minivan was a great tow vehicle until I bought a true, fully equipped tow vehicle with a v8. I'd never calculate my gas mileage boating either because I just don't care. I wouldn't own a boat if cost really entered the equation. I could think of a lot more practical ways to spend money.