which boat/motor would be better for 7-8 people aboard

[QuietRider21]

hey guys. looking for my next used boat. I'm looking at 20' Larson with a 175 2stroke outboard and a 21' Wellcraft with a 5.0 Merc i/o. I plan on bringing an occasional 7-8 people on.. Both boats are late 90's bowriders and very similiar in size. Which would perform better with a full load of people? no skiing , just cruising, water tubing and some light fishing. Would the i/o have more torque and therefore better performance with a fully loaded boat? I believe a 5.0 puts out around 220 hp vs the 175hp outboard but i would think there has to be more variables such as torque and weight etc? i want to avoid having an under-powered boat.. let me know what you guys think. thanks!

 

[the vision]

Re: which boat/motor would be better for 7-8 people aboard

The o/b will have more room than the i/b for that many poeple.As far as power vs. weight probably close.

 

[jacoboregon]

Re: which boat/motor would be better for 7-8 people aboard

This can easily turn into a which is better, ob or i/o. Are both boats available for you to look at? If so, gather a few friends and go check them out. While I agree that generally an ob will have more room than and i/o, the layout also determines useable space.

Take some friends with you and see which one fits you better.

 

[Philster]

Re: which boat/motor would be better for 7-8 people aboard

Seven people on board and towing a tube: That's gonna hurt. That's an enormous mechanical load on those engines.

When involved in water sports, it's advisable that you do so with just 3-4 people on board. Can you do more? Sure, with a boat that has more power/girth.

7-8 people on those boats w/out water sports: Not anywhere that you need to use the bow at all times for seating. Off plane would be okay. 7-8 people is completely stuffed and might be okay for a short jaunt as a water-taxi in a quiet spot. Like, you want to putter a few people across a quiet cove, but no way on heck I'd run out tackling wakes/waves with 7-8 people on board. No...freakin'...way.

I don't care what the rating says.

 

[oops!]

Re: which boat/motor would be better for 7-8 people aboard

if this boating style is the norm for you.......a toon can handle that load with no problem

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: which boat/motor would be better for 7-8 people aboard

I agree with Oops, a toon is better for 7-8 people for just casual cruising.

my boat is rated for 10, however over 6 and its cramped.

 

[KD4UPL]

Re: which boat/motor would be better for 7-8 people aboard

I have a '97 Larson 206 SEI with a 250 HP Mercruiser 5.7 I/O. I don't know how this boat compares to the particular Larson you are looking at but it must be pretty similar in size. I regularly go out with 6 to 8 people on board and tube, ski, board, etc. The boat is pretty cramped but it's not bad and we have a good time. The power is sufficient but that's it. I've had as many as 12 people in the boat (3 were children) it planes with that many but again, the power is only sufficient, no extra.
I can't imagine that a similar boat with 75 less HP would perform very well, even with the weight savings of a 2 stroke OB. I think you need a larger engine than that.

 

[cyclops2]

Re: which boat/motor would be better for 7-8 people aboard

I have a 2002 chaparral 186 SSI with a 5.0 L V8 (305 C I ) 205 hp. Boat is 19' LOA X 8' wide. It has easily brought 6 big seniors back in 4' to 5' head on waves & we were bone dry for miles. Rated for 8 adults. Mainly because of being 8' WIDE & very DEEP. That is where width & depth make all the difference in short boats carrying LOTS of people easily. The boat is on plane with 6 of us in 5 to 6 seconds & accelerating fast. Difficult to dock.

But saves LIVES easily in squalls & high winds.

 

[Philster]

Re: which boat/motor would be better for 7-8 people aboard

The claim about 4-5' head waves ruins one's credibility.

 

[cyclops2]

Re: which boat/motor would be better for 7-8 people aboard

The benifits of seating people to lower the stern. The ability to trim the stern I/O to almost the maximum out, without damaging the drive joints.

Having enough thrust to climb up to 1' higher than the top of waves & the thrust to split them at that height.
Easy or normal ? No. But when you start back across open water & get caught, you trim everything that you can to survive.
That was almost as close to losing the boat as I have come. True, I was lucky & good.

Rich

 

[Thalasso]

Re: which boat/motor would be better for 7-8 people aboard

The claim about 4-5' head waves ruins one's credibility.

Isn't that the truth.It's probably an open bow also.

 

[cyclops2]

Re: which boat/motor would be better for 7-8 people aboard

But of course.

Would it make any difference what type of boat ?

 

[drrpm]

Re: which boat/motor would be better for 7-8 people aboard

A 20-21 foot bowrider is adequate for water sports with 7-8 people. My 20 footer is rated for 10 which would be quite crowded, but I frequently have my family of 5 plus a couple of my kids friends. Once you're tubing there will be 2 or 3 on the tube which leaves 4-6 in the boat. I'd go with the V8 I/O out of the pair you mention

 

[coastalrichard]

Re: which boat/motor would be better for 7-8 people aboard

QR:

Have you looked at Mariah? I recently acquired a 2007 DX212, 150 Merc. I'M LOVIN IT!

 

[QuietRider21]

Re: which boat/motor would be better for 7-8 people aboard

thanks guys appreciate the feedback. when i say 6-8 people, i mean occasionaly once in a while thing. i understand the boat will "feel crowded" my main concern was the power aspect. Unfortunately, i found out the the Larson has a "Ficht" outboard motor. I guess that will eliminate that boat option.