1997 205 sundowner

[sdw41lite]

I am looking at 97 205 sundower with 5.7 225 hp. vovol eng. and outdrive. I took it out and it didnt seem that fast to me. I thought it would go faster. Did these boats come with bigger engines. I went to the four winns website it said top speed 42 to 45 mph. The boat I was on maybe 40 tops. How are these boats or should I start looking at a sea ray or something else. He is asking 9900 with a trailer

 

[JoLin]

Re: 1997 205 sundowner

Something's not right. A 5.7 Volvo of that vintage put out more than 225 HP. Would be in the 250-280 range. Sure it isn't a 5.0 engine?

40-ish seems about right for that size boat with 225 horsepower. In addition, a Sundowner is an all-purpose, cuddy cabin 'day tripper', not a speedboat.

How fast are you trying to go, and in what kind of water (lake, bay, ocean) are you trying to achieve whatever that speed is?

 

[sdw41lite]

Re: 1997 205 sundowner

Ya it was a 5.7 gli volvo I looked it up on the fourwinns web site it said 225 hp. I just need to go fast enough to tube and water ski with 4 people on the boat. I will be on Lake St. Claire. in Mich. The boat to me does seem like a good all purpose boat like you said. I just wished it had alittle more power that 250 to 280 range would be nice. I havent bought the boat yet, but it is a nice boat.

 

[JoLin]

Re: 1997 205 sundowner

I stand corrected. The Four Winns site backs up what you said. I'm surprised the horsepower figure is that low, but the performance of the boat you tried is in line with the horsepower rating. You need to be aware that the manufacturer's (and boat testing magazines) figures are derived with brand-new drivetrains, no bottom paint, light loads, etc. The fact that your 14 y.o. boat approaches those marks indicatates to me that it's running well.

If you want to be sure of its speed, pull the portable GPS out of a car and take it along. It'll tell you the story.

 

[sdw41lite]

Re: 1997 205 sundowner

I havent bought this boat I was thinking about it, he wants 9900 for it and it does have bottom paint, I dont know if this is good or bad he keeps at the marina so I guess you need it.