Anyone have a 17.5' w/3.0L?

[impatico]

I am going to be buying a new boat soonish but the wife has set my limit lower than I wanted. So I am looking at a 17.5' with a 3.0L.

I am wondering if anyone has tested to see how many people/how much weight you can have in one and still pull a 200lb wakeboarder out of the water? I don't plan on doing a bunch of wakeboarding so it's not that big of a deal just one of the few things I couldn't find an answer to online.

Thanks

 

[etracer68]

Re: Anyone have a 17.5' w/3.0L?

That would depend on what boat, boats dont all weigh the same. 4 people I would guess, but, then again you can pitch prop down 2, and get more hole shot, with more weight. Just dont over rev top end.

 

[fkboatman]

Re: Anyone have a 17.5' w/3.0L?

DO NOT BUY A 3.0 litre. you wont be happy

 

[Silly Seville]

Re: Anyone have a 17.5' w/3.0L?

+1 You will NOT be satisfied with the performance of a 3.0 for any kind of serious watersports, unless you only have two lightweight folks on board, and the guy in the water is reasonably skilled. A 4.3 would be a minimum in my opinion. Sounds like you have already been told "no" by the Admiral on spending more money, so good luck with that!

 

[Bondo]

Re: Anyone have a 17.5' w/3.0L?

I am going to be buying a new boat soonish but the wife has set my limit lower than I wanted. So I am looking at a 17.5' with a 3.0L.

I am wondering if anyone has tested to see how many people/how much weight you can have in one and still pull a 200lb wakeboarder out of the water? I don't plan on doing a bunch of wakeboarding so it's not that big of a deal just one of the few things I couldn't find an answer to online.

Thanks

Ayuh,... Figure 2 folks in the boat, 'n 1 on the board,...
Driver, Spotter, 'n rider....

The problem ain't so much the 3.0l, it's the fact a 17' boat is Tiny...

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Anyone have a 17.5' w/3.0L?

I have owned a 3.0 in the past. not a bad engine in a small boat. However with my buddy skiing on back, we could almost pull the boat on its gunwales.

however without knowing the limit that the boss put on you, I myself would continue to look around for something in the 19' range with a 4.3, or 5.0. since you are looking at new, you may want to look at dealers with last years models in stock yet.

 

[scoutabout]

Re: Anyone have a 17.5' w/3.0L?

I had a 3.0 in a 16.5 foot Searay for a decade or so, using it for watersports as well as cruising and it was just fine. No speed demon by any means but it easily pulled adults out of the water. WOT was about 40 mph although we usually cruised our inland lake system at 30. It was also super-economical which isn't a bad thing if you are on a budget.

Sure, more power is rarely a bad thing and I guess it depends on your expectations but blanket declarations of its complete inadequacy simply aren't accurate IMO. I will certainly admit to raising my eyebrows when I see that powerplant in a 19 footer but 16-17 range isn't necessarily the end of the world.

 

[Mike Zee]

Re: Anyone have a 17.5' w/3.0L?

I had a 3.0 in a 16.5 foot Searay for a decade or so, using it for watersports as well as cruising and it was just fine. No speed demon by any means but it easily pulled adults out of the water. WOT was about 40 mph although we usually cruised our inland lake system at 30. It was also super-economical which isn't a bad thing if you are on a budget.

Sure, more power is rarely a bad thing and I guess it depends on your expectations but blanket declarations of its complete inadequacy simply aren't accurate IMO. I will certainly admit to raising my eyebrows when I see that powerplant in a 19 footer but 16-17 range isn't necessarily the end of the world.

X2, my 3 boys spent many a day hanging off the back of my 86 17' 3.0 SeaRaider. Never complained.

 

[impatico]

Re: Anyone have a 17.5' w/3.0L?

thanks everyone, here is a little more info

I have a 16ft thermoglass bowrider with a 115 and the size is fine so far, haven't tried any water sports in it yet. The only things I am not liking is that the engine doesn't put out enough juice for my stereo I really want an inboard, and it's BROWN! lol I will never go back to a 14' alum for fishing, no more sore rear ends!

The wife gave me a budget of $20,000 but I am going to be going over that by 5G or so but I set my MAX at $30,000 but I want a ski fish so I can have a livewell

EDIT: I will also be having a waketower so that will make watersports easier

 

[JimS123]

Re: Anyone have a 17.5' w/3.0L?

We've owned our 19' Stingray with 3.0 for going on 28 years now. I have a custom pitched prop to get the most out of it, so that makes a difference. Its also a Singray, which is a light and nimble hull.

With two families on board it has a good hole shot and fantastic performance. That's 4 adults, 2 teens and 2 pre-teens. None of us are fat (not even me and that's my story I'm sticking to it....LOL)

I consider it to be an awesomer engine and if I ever buy another boat, that's what I'll buy...again.

Now....if you're kid and need to go real fast....don't buy a 3.0.
If you have to have the best of everything...don't buy a 3.0.
If your buddy has a gazillion liter 12 cylinder, don't buy it...you won't be satisfied.

With 3 adults on board I can tow anything. With 2 adults (350lbs) I can hit mid 40's. My jetski can do 55, but I don't go there either....LOL...at least not very often!

 

[impatico]

Re: Anyone have a 17.5' w/3.0L?

Speed and beating my friends isn't important as only 1 friend has a boat and it's an old covered bow w/60HP. Fuel economy is important, I will be using the boat for camping quite a bit and you can only take so much gas with you, and there is only 1 lake around here with a marina but that lake is MASSIVE so I don't know about using such a small boat on it? (quesnel lake)

 

[QC]

Re: Anyone have a 17.5' w/3.0L?

A 140 I/O and 115 OB should be very close to the same performance. Yes, I know hull size matters. Also, anyone who has pulled both slalom skiers and wakeboarders knows that a wakeboarder is much easier to pop up. Put me in the camp with lots and lots of hours skiing behind a 3.0. I am only 160 lbs but I have pulled many a 200 pounder from a deep water start, and pulled a pair of slalom skiers quite a few times as well. You'll be fine based on your expectations and parameters.

With that said . . . If your budget is truly $30K (even $20K) we need to have a much longer discussion. You can get a TON of boat for $20 - 30K. No need to buy new. I see 20 ft and V8 in your future with no real dependability compromises.

 

[cribber]

Re: Anyone have a 17.5' w/3.0L?

QC said it all... do you need the top of the line Moomba to blast around, doubtful. Pick the style of boat you want that meets your load requirements and get the best deal you can find in something new to you.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Anyone have a 17.5' w/3.0L?

I am not by any means suggesting that "This is just the boat for you!"

http://www.boattest.com/boats/boat_video.aspx?ID=2589

But here is what you might expect in pulling a wakeboard from a 17footer with a 3.0L
While you are there, look up the boat you have in mind.

And as always, work out the logistics.
Don't get caught buying a boat that you can afford to buy, but not afford to maintain and operate.

 

[cyclops2]

Re: Anyone have a 17.5' w/3.0L?

20 to 25,000 Puts you in a new Chaparral H2O?? Not sure if the ONLY engine avialiable will do all you want. I would DEFINATELY test ride one. With a tow rope, if it does everything else. I have a Chaparral 2002 186 SSI 5.0 L V8 . It will pull a 300 pound rider on plane in 2 seconds. Only the good strong skinny guys can hang on.
They are well made & hold their value very well when you need to trade or just sell. It does 50 mph with 2..200 pounders.
Get a used Chap with a 5 L V8 MERCRUISER. 0 problems with boat or powertrain.

Some guys here might know how cheap a new Chaparral 5L V8 could be had. Or even a Demo.

 

[cyclops2]

Re: Anyone have a 17.5' w/3.0L?

I just left the www.boattest.com site Check out Both the Chaparral 18' & 19' H2O models. The 19' has a 200 Hp that is close to my 210 hp. BUT I weighed 3200# new. I have a couple of hundred pounds of full canvass, 2 good sized anchors 200' of 1/2" Nylon braid, 6 huge fenders, 100 mph life vests. LOADS of fishing gear. I am am close to 3500# @ 50 mph gps.

Test ride the 19' H2O. New always rides better. Order now & you will have it quicker & possibly cheaper with the bigger engine.

Rich

 

[FootballGuy88]

Re: Anyone have a 17.5' w/3.0L?

On the 19 H2O's you can go up to 220 HP, I'm waiting for a boat show that's in my town from the 17-20th of february to see them first hand, the closest dealer is about an hour drive away so i figured i'd wait

 

[cyclops2]

Re: Anyone have a 17.5' w/3.0L?

We went to several shows to see if the models had bad workmanship. THEY did have some makes with damage !!! Great place to brag about sloppy new boats.

I let Judie pick boat & colors.... WE picked the flip up bolstered seats......... I picked The 5.0L V8.... Team work.
Big engines DO GET better mileage with several, 5 or 6 people, than 3 or 4 L ones. Even in a 186 SSI.

 

[scoutabout]

Re: Anyone have a 17.5' w/3.0L?

I agree with checking out the used market. That's a very healthy budget you got there and getting lots more boat is easily possible if you don't care you ain't her first boyfriend!

 

[impatico]

Re: Anyone have a 17.5' w/3.0L?

I am in love with this boat:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIkDeXKlEFw&feature=related

in red of course! I am thinking it will be worth while getting the one I REALLY want the first time. I just hate the factory wake tower