496 MAG vs. 350 MAG engines in choice of boats - help me decide

[tenmile]

So hard choice coming up here between a couple of boats. Boat choice is a Bayliner 288/2858. These are the same boat, different name. Spec'd weight is listed at 8100lbs, but ACTUAL weight is likely closer to 10K lbs with fuel and a full load of stuff.

Choice 1: a mid 2000's vintage 288 with ~250 hours on a 5.7 MAG MPI 300hp with a Bravo III leg. Fresh water driven boat, with raw water cooling, so I'd have to add a closed cooling system.

Choice 2: a mid 1990's vintage 2858 with ~150 hours on a new-ish (2006) 496 MAG 375hp with a Bravo II leg. This boat because of the vintage is at least $25K LESS EXPENSIVE.

I've not done an inspection on either boat yet, although had a good boat-savvy friend who lives by #1 go over it and give it a 9/10. Boat #2 apparently only has a total of 400hrs on the hull (and 150hrs on new engine/leg) and is represented also as a 9/10. So fit and finish wise, these two machines appear to have minimal differences, but 10 years of age.

Big difference between the two machines is the Engine/Leg combo's and obviously the price. I am leaning to choice #2. I'm thinking that with the money I'd save on Choice #2, I could sell the Bravo II, replace it with a new Bravo III (or X) which would be a better mate to the power and hull, and still be ahead (with a big hull like this, lots of windage, so I'd like the better control from the single BIII).

Also thinking that the 496 is probably a better engine on this boat than the 5.7 as it won't have to work as hard and will probably get roughly the same fuel economy and cruise speed, but lower RPMs.

Looking for feedback and advice and/or anything I might be overlooking here.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: 496 MAG vs. 350 MAG engines in choice of boats - help me decide

I would go with number 2 even with the Bravo2 I bet it will smoke the 288, The 350 Mag in that boat is probably a dog.

 

[DaNinja]

Re: 496 MAG vs. 350 MAG engines in choice of boats - help me decide

I guess someone missed an important word in the sub-forum title.

"not"

I wish we had more power in both boats.

 

[Don S]

Re: 496 MAG vs. 350 MAG engines in choice of boats - help me decide

I guess someone missed an important word in the sub-forum title.

"not"

I wish we had more power in both boats.

It's not an engine repair/maintenance question, the man has a question about which boat to get and what power he should have in it. Not a tech question at all. There are many posts in this forum daily about which boat and which options.

 

[oops!]

Re: 496 MAG vs. 350 MAG engines in choice of boats - help me decide

imho... a 28 footer @ 10k lbs needs twins.,,even tho the 350 is a dual prop...10k is a lot of weight

 

[tenmile]

Re: 496 MAG vs. 350 MAG engines in choice of boats - help me decide

It's not an engine repair/maintenance question, the man has a question about which boat to get and what power he should have in it. Not a tech question at all. There are many posts in this forum daily about which boat and which options.

Actually, I am looking for the technical answer here and should have been more clear. Between the two engines, will one have a lower TCO over the other? My gut says the 496 may burn a little more gas, but lifespan should be longer, power much better, and lower depreciation. Also 496 has a distributor less ignition so lower maintenance so in the end I'd guess it's going to cost me less and perform better.

 

[DaNinja]

Re: 496 MAG vs. 350 MAG engines in choice of boats - help me decide

It's not an engine repair/maintenance question, the man has a question about which boat to get and what power he should have in it. Not a tech question at all. There are many posts in this forum daily about which boat and which options.

I understand, but I would post in the Mercruiser section (assuming) to get better answers from the base.

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: 496 MAG vs. 350 MAG engines in choice of boats - help me decide

#2----it would be a DOG with a 350MAG

 

[tenmile]

Re: 496 MAG vs. 350 MAG engines in choice of boats - help me decide

I understand, but I would post in the Mercruiser section (assuming) to get better answers from the base.

It was there, one of the mods moved it.

 

[QC]

Re: 496 MAG vs. 350 MAG engines in choice of boats - help me decide

Actually, I am looking for the technical answer here and should have been more clear.

Still a more general question than an engine specific repair question, so like Don, I agree it belongs here.

Between the two engines, will one have a lower TCO over the other? My gut says the 496 may burn a little more gas, but lifespan should be longer, power much better, and lower depreciation. Also 496 has a distributor less ignition so lower maintenance so in the end I'd guess it's going to cost me less and perform better.

Maintenance and fuel costs are an endless argument. Don't go there, fuel at cruise will be the same and other than prop costs, they are going to be equal.

The Bravo 3 will make the 350 OK for planing this beast, but she will not run 40 MPH and may not reach 35. The 496 and Bravo 2 will probably work hard to plane, but may exceed 40 MPH. Forget the ignition. Longevity is a non-issue as well with proper maintenance. Pleasure boaters don't wear out their engines they neglect them. Components fail and they die from that. Not from hours.

I think it is purchase price and whether or not you plan to keep her. If you want to cruise at 30 MPH the 350 will be OK. If you want higher cruise speeds and you don't care about the older age, then go with the 496.

 

[DaNinja]

Re: 496 MAG vs. 350 MAG engines in choice of boats - help me decide

It was there, one of the mods moved it.

LOL!
I would go for the biggest power I could get in the boat, if that's the deciding factor.
That's just me, though. I'm getting ready to repower the SeaRay and it will have more power than it had before.

 

[veritas honus]

Re: 496 MAG vs. 350 MAG engines in choice of boats - help me decide

Older boat, same condition = better care/maintainance. 25,000 less is one heck of a bonus. 496 with less than 150hrs. vs. a 350 with 250hrs... For me... this is a no brainer. Go get yourself a boat.

Post some pictures

 

[Joshua Nichols]

Re: 496 MAG vs. 350 MAG engines in choice of boats - help me decide

No replacement for displacement... A captain always needs more power....

We do want pictures

 

[pjitty]

Re: 496 MAG vs. 350 MAG engines in choice of boats - help me decide

gas is predicted to reach over $4.00 a gallon this summer. All boats are gas hogs. Do you really need to burn a ton of gas on the water to have fun on the water????

 

[Joshua Nichols]

Re: 496 MAG vs. 350 MAG engines in choice of boats - help me decide

gas is predicted to reach over $4.00 a gallon this summer. All boats are gas hogs. Do you really need to burn a ton of gas on the water to have fun on the water????

Ummmmmm yeah if I take my boat out... Mine sips fuel... So what if your buying boat in the price range that the OP is talking about.. You think fuel is a big issue?

 

[dingbat]

Re: 496 MAG vs. 350 MAG engines in choice of boats - help me decide

Ummmmmm yeah if I take my boat out... Mine sips fuel... So what if your buying boat in the price range that the OP is talking about.. You think fuel is a big issue?

I spent 3 times that for my boat. Fuel costs are an issue when you burn $100-125 a day, 50-75 days a year.

 

[Joshua Nichols]

Re: 496 MAG vs. 350 MAG engines in choice of boats - help me decide

I spent 3 times that for my boat. Fuel costs are an issue when you burn $100-125 a day, 50-75 days a year.

Buy a sail boat.. Fuel is free as long as the wind is blowing gezzzzz:facepalm:

 

[rallyart]

Re: 496 MAG vs. 350 MAG engines in choice of boats - help me decide

When you are cruising at similar speeds there will not be a difference in fuel economy with different power engines. It takes X amount of horsepower to push the boat at that speed and Y amount of fuel to make that horsepower. Whatever motor will use about the same fuel. More power will get you to speed faster so you spend less time plowing water which really wastes fuel and a more powerful engine helps your economy. Running full throttle at high speed uses the most power and the boat with the most power uses the most fuel then, but not other times.

 

[tenmile]

Re: 496 MAG vs. 350 MAG engines in choice of boats - help me decide

Thanks rallyart and others. This boat is not a speedboat. We generally cruise at around 25-28kts (30-35mph). There aren't many opportunities to open a boat much past that speed safely as the pacific around us is generally pretty lumpy with lots of logs and I find that 30 is about perfect.

That said, I do think the 496 will be the better option overall. Don't expect it to that much more fuel, but it's got more power to get up and go when it's full of dead salmon, and fat stinky fishermen and their beer and/or a weeks worth of food, supplies and our family.

I think I've made my choice WRT engine. Next consideration is whether I keep the B2 or swap it out for a B3. Major consideration I am thinking about for the change is the low speed handling around the docks. I have a B3 today and I'm amazed at the responsiveness, bite and quick turning radius. Will swinging a larger single prop on a B2 provide the same in-tight performance -- I've not experienced driving a boat with one before.

 

[QC]

Re: 496 MAG vs. 350 MAG engines in choice of boats - help me decide

Will swinging a larger single prop on a B2 provide the same in-tight performance -- I've not experienced driving a boat with one before.

Short answer . . . No. All low speed handling characteristics go to the B3. I don't belive there is one exception.