5.0 EFI Mercruiser too underpowered for Searay 215 express cruiser?

[synergy141]

Hi, Im about to buy a Searay 215 express cruiser cuddy with the 5 litre mercruiser. People have been telling me that the 5.0 is too small of engine for that size of boat. Has anyone had experience with this engine combo on a boat of this size? The 5.7 is probally more suitable. Looking to use this boat as an all around watersports, fishing, camping boat.

Thanks.

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: 5.0 EFI Mercruiser too underpowered for Searay 215 express cruiser?

A friend of mine has one with that motor. It works just fine. Those are great boats and most of the ones I've seen have the 5.0. That said, it is not a great watersports boat as it's main purpose is really overnighting. If you plan to do any slalmom skiing, a high five prop and a prop wrench you don't mind getting wet would be money well spent.

 

[seabob4]

Re: 5.0 EFI Mercruiser too underpowered for Searay 215 express cruiser?

The 5.0 puts out 220HP. There are plenty of boats this size with 225HP outboards. She won't be a speed demon, but you'll be fine...

 

[QC]

Re: 5.0 EFI Mercruiser too underpowered for Searay 215 express cruiser?

Which 5.0? There is also a 260 bhp MPI . . . Age?

 

[synergy141]

Re: 5.0 EFI Mercruiser too underpowered for Searay 215 express cruiser?

its a 98

 

[RAT Attack]

Re: 5.0 EFI Mercruiser too underpowered for Searay 215 express cruiser?

I have an '88, 5.0 mercruiser, alpha one outdrive on my boat ( 200HP / 2 BR Carb. ). It is a 19' sport cuddy, so is obviously much lighter than the boat mentioned. My engine does great on mine for pulling wakeboarders, skiiers, kneeboarders, and tubes & still has plenty of top-end speed, but I do have the right prop. on mine. The right prop. makes a world of difference. I think that rig would be better with a 5.7, but I think it would do just fine, and possible save you some gas money too. JMO

 

[synergy141]

Re: 5.0 EFI Mercruiser too underpowered for Searay 215 express cruiser?

Yeah I will see how it does and I will probally re prop it accordingly. It has a stainless on it right now. not sure what pitch.

 

[seabob4]

Re: 5.0 EFI Mercruiser too underpowered for Searay 215 express cruiser?

Yeah I will see how it does and I will probally re prop it accordingly. It has a stainless on it right now. not sure what pitch.

Pitch and dia. should be stamped in the hub...

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: 5.0 EFI Mercruiser too underpowered for Searay 215 express cruiser?

That engine will be fine. Sure a 5.7L or larger is better, but the boat is still just a 21' boat; albeit a bit heavier for the "cruiser" amenities. Bigger boats have been powered with less.

 

[QC]

Re: 5.0 EFI Mercruiser too underpowered for Searay 215 express cruiser?

1998 appears to be the beginning of two 5.0 ratings. 220 propshaft horse carb'ed version (most likely) and a 240 propshaft horsepower EFI unit (throttle body injection). Oddly enough there were no 5.0s noted in my reference materails for 1997, so I don't think this would be a carryover engine from inventory which is pretty common.

 

[seabob4]

Re: 5.0 EFI Mercruiser too underpowered for Searay 215 express cruiser?

1998 appears to be the beginning of two 5.0 ratings. 220 propshaft horse carb'ed version (most likely) and a 240 propshaft horsepower EFI unit (throttle body injection). Oddly enough there were no 5.0s noted in my reference materails for 1997, so I don't think this would be a carryover engine from inventory which is pretty common.

IIRC from my days at Wellcraft during that time, EFI 5.0s were 220HP, 5.7s were 260HP, 350MAGS were 300HP, 7.4EFIs were 330HP, 7.4HOs were 365HP,
454MAGS were 385HP, and 502MAGS were 415...

502MAGS were "entry level" Scarab motors...

Lot of fun back in those days, sorry for the de-railment...

 

[QC]

Re: 5.0 EFI Mercruiser too underpowered for Searay 215 express cruiser?

Yeah the 5.0s and 5.7s and even the 350 Mags varied a lot from '95 thru '99. I have assumed they were still trying to figure out how to price the EFI and MPI upgrades, and how those prices related to horsepower.

There was a 7.4 MPI then rated at a measly 310 and it is why I'll argue that a SBC (350 Mag and 6.2 320) will outrun or equal some Big blocks, which is blasphemy to some . . .

Hijack accepted, confirmed and batted back . . .

 

[tcgobucks]

Re: 5.0 EFI Mercruiser too underpowered for Searay 215 express cruiser?

Take the boat for a sea trail and see if it meets YOUR needs.

Exactly.....you wouldn't buy a car without a test drive, why would you do it with a boat? Tell them you'd like to pull a skier or a tube for a few minutes....shouldn't take long to figure out if it's going to work for you....and will save an awful expensive mistake and a lot of hassle if it doesn't.