Is a 4.3 merc enough?

[gone crazy]

I want a boat big enough to take the family and friends out, do some sking/wakeboarding and kicking around the lake. Looking at a 93 20' larson with a 4.3 merc. Will it get the job done, or will I be left wanting?

 

[Craigmri]

Re: Is a 4.3 merc enough?

Only you can be the judge of that. Everyone has different expectations. My 18' with the 4.3 MPI is a rocket ship. Is yours a carb model? Thats probably a fairly heavy 20' boat. You need to Sea Trial it and put it through its paces.

Craig

 

[Ocean Airbrush]

Re: Is a 4.3 merc enough?

i have a 1985 Grady White 197 Tournament dual console. anyone who knows Gradys knows they are heavy. I believe my hull weighs in at just under 3000lbs dry. I have had 8 people in the boat and still popped my 220lb self up with no problem on a wakeboard with the 205hp 4.3. It's a robust engine and can certainly get the job done in the 18-20 foot range.

 

[JimMH]

Re: Is a 4.3 merc enough?

I had a 18ft 7in Glastron with a 4.3 and it would pull me up fine and got good gas mileage. The 4.3 is a very strong engine with a lot of low end torque. With the right prop it will pop you out of the whole fine. A sea trial will tell the tale on actual performance

 

[northernmerc]

Re: Is a 4.3 merc enough?

I like the 4.3. It provides a good balance between power and fuel economy. Ours is on an 18 1/2 ft SeaRay, which is quite a heavy boat.

 

[gone crazy]

Re: Is a 4.3 merc enough?

Thanks for the input folks, I'm leaning towards the V6 for the fuel economy but didn't want to short change myself on power.

 

[drrpm]

Re: Is a 4.3 merc enough?

The difference in fuel economy between a 5.0 V8 and the 4.3 V6 will be insignificant in the overall cost of running the boat. I have a 20 ft Mariah with an MPI 5.0 and it is fast and a good toy puller. The MPI 4.3 would probably be OK but a carbureted 4.3 may leave you wishing for more zip.

You'll have to try it and see if you're satisfied with the performance, but I've never heard anyone tell me that their boat performed too well.

 

[Utahboatnut]

Re: Is a 4.3 merc enough?

A 93 model year will be carbed so that takes a bit off right there, how big is the family and how many friends? All should be considered when testing performance. If you and one other guy go out on a sea trial with 1/2 tank of gas its not going to tell you the true story. If you do take it out try and have as many people you think you will normally carry, a bit of gear, gas etc. This may not be totally realistic to do but there is a BIG difference between 1-2 people or 8 plus gear. As was said above you never complain of having too much power in a boat.

 

[jkust]

Re: Is a 4.3 merc enough?

Looks like that boat/motor combo weighs in at 2300lbs dry. By today's standards that is below a feather weight for a 20ish footer. I can tell you what my 4.3 pushes and my thoughts. My 18 footer is just under 3000 lbs dry, then add 33 gallons of gas, maybe 200 lbs of gear, and 4 people. It still has the oem 21pitch aluminum prop with its share of dings. It will get out of the hole in an instant and pull anything or anyone effortlessly. Where it lags is mid range and top end. If I was to subtract off the weight difference between my hull and your proposed hull, I am certain it would cure the midrange and top end issues. Plus my 4.3 has only a 2bbl carb so has 15hp less than what you are considering. My boat is rated for 270hp and I have the standard power. Having said all of the above, I would clasify my 4.3 and prop set up as good to excellent low end power, non existant mid range and acceptable top end but a v8 would be more desirable IMO. Also then since we are talking MPI my thoughts are the extra few ponies are not the draw of the MPI since a quick 4bbl and intake swap will get a carbed 4.3 to within the MPI hp. The draw imo is the easier starting, better throttle response, smart gauge capable and resale among others. A few windy launches while your carbed engine needs to warm up like the cars of 20+ years back makes you start to think upgrade.