Enough HP for a SKI + FISH? 3.0L or the 4.3L?

[frankrom]

Hi there,

I am in the market for a ski and fish but a lot of them have the standard 3.0L engine with about 130 hp. I would ideally like to get a 4.3 with the 195 hp. But the options for the 4.3 in the resale market are so far and few between and the ones I have seen have been garbage. The boats I am talking about are the Tahoe 18-19 ft or other types of brands which seem to weigh about 2700 lbs INCLUDING the trailer.

I am mention all this because it is leading to my question... would a 3.0L be enough? or do you strongly recommend the 4.3 L.

You will probably ask what would i use it for? The answer to that is fishing a lot of the time, and the other half would be cruising, maybe tubing and other recreational type stuff.

Thanks in advance.

Frank

 

[ricohman]

Re: Enough HP for a SKI + FISH? 3.0L or the 4.3L?

I just went through the same thing. Although I bought new, I chose the 4.3.
It simply will have more power when the boat is loaded. All the passegers and gear add up to a lot of extra weight.
Plus, I have never thought "I wished this (bike, boat, car, truck) had less power.

 

[frankrom]

Re: Enough HP for a SKI + FISH? 3.0L or the 4.3L?

I just went through the same thing. Although I bought new, I chose the 4.3.
It simply will have more power when the boat is loaded. All the passegers and gear add up to a lot of extra weight.
Plus, I have never thought "I wished this (bike, boat, car, truck) had less power.

I totally agree - it is just the used market doesn't seem to have a lot of the 4.3s... sigh

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Enough HP for a SKI + FISH? 3.0L or the 4.3L?

The 4.3LV6 is a standard powerplant, although not as popular as the 3.0. I would look for the V6, but if a boat you like comes your way with a 3.0, you should consider it.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Enough HP for a SKI + FISH? 3.0L or the 4.3L?

Find one with the 4.3L, I wouldn't accept less on a 19-20' boat.

 

[scoutabout]

Re: Enough HP for a SKI + FISH? 3.0L or the 4.3L?

That is getting a bit big for a 3.0. While I had the smaller powerplant in a SeaRay for ten years and it was absolutely acceptable for our tubing, skiing, cruising needs - the boat was only 16.5 feet long and even at that size it was no rocket. You should probably hold out for the bigger motor.

 

[jimbo_jwc]

Re: Enough HP for a SKI + FISH? 3.0L or the 4.3L?

I like my 3.0L 130hp Mercruiser on a #1900 deep v cuddy , Goes fast as anybody wants to ski, fast as I want to go, fishes 3-4 OK , and the best part fill it up Fri. and drive it till Sun. 196 Sea Rage 18 1/2 ', Light and easy to load even by yourself .The 4.3 V6 is easy on fuel compaired to a V8 , on my boat it was listed to #2400 w/V8 thats with heavy motor and fuel $/lb=fuel go faster .45+mph on 1987 boat makes me happy and love the room to fish and the cuddy.