Looking to buy a used boat

[tonyjh63]

Ok, I used to have a '93 Glastron SSV 195 Elite with a 4.3 Mercruiser - really enjoyed that boat. Well, that boat is gone, and I'm now looking for another, similar boat. My question is, I've seen a lot of boats in my area around 18-19 ft long, but most of them have the 3.0 inline 4 cylinder motors. Main use for the boat will be simply lake cruising, and some tubing/skiing. Will there be a huge drop off in the fun factor? Btw, I'm also looking at a Stingray with a 3.0, which, for some reason, seems to be able to make better use of a motor's power than other boats? Is the comfort factor of a Stingray really as lacking as some would say (boat will only be used on the lake - one is a 12,000 acre lake, the other is 32,000 acres, so big waves shouldn't be an issue)?

 

[JoshOnt]

Your top speed and time to plane will be different but I would say that the 3.0L would be just fine for crusing (might be better since it will be cheaper likely) and for tubing it will be more than enough depending on how much you got in the boat, if you went with 2 people in the boat and one behind it tubing you would be fine. Skiing is even easier on the boat so you would be just fine.

I can't speak as to specific brands as I don't have enough experience but I am sure others will chime in.

 

[SkiDad]

A 3.0 should be fine as long as you prop it for skiing. You should prop it so it hits 4800 RPM with just you in the boat. I stingrays are pretty fast hulls so I would still expect you to see upper 30's with a ski prop

 

[tonyjh63]

Well, found me a boat - just picked up a 1999 Bryant 182 Limited today. It needs the interior redone, but I got it at a good price, so that evens out...Oh, and It has a 4.3 Mercruiser/Alpha 1...

 

[jkust]

Bryant is a decent boat...I maybe see one per year on our lake. They only produce a small run each year compared to the more well known brands. There's almost a 45% HP difference between the 3.0 and the 4.3 and a massive difference in torque. The 4.3's are surprisingly capable.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... An 18'er oughta be pretty Snappy with the 4.3l,....

 

[roffey]

The 4.3 MPI puts out the same HP as the 5.0. Not saying you cant juice up the 5.0 but out of the box they are the same. I have a 4.3 TKS (not the same, lol) and the motor has all the power I need, keep in mind need and want are different, LOL.

 

[tonyjh63]

My 4.3 isn't the MPI - it still has a carb, so I assume it's the 190 hp version...still should provide plenty of pep - maybe not as much as my Glastron had, due to weighing more, but still enough...

 

[roffey]

My 4.3 isn't the MPI - it still has a carb, so I assume it's the 190 hp version...still should provide plenty of pep - maybe not as much as my Glastron had, due to more weighing more, but still enough...

Mine is the TKS and 190 hp probably the same as yours. On my GPS I can hit 53 mph.

 

[jkust]

Those are big lakes and you will get big waves...I'd be way more concerned with the ride and bigger water qualities of a boat than top speed. I get my top speed fix from my insanely fast PWC's and barely ever touch wot with my bowrider. The older I get, the less I care about speed of my boat and the more I care about comfort. Stingray (the small ones) by their design are intended for cheap speed at the expense of ride quality as compared to other branded bowriders with the same engine package. Stingray to me is a great second or third boat in the fleet. They have been getting a legitimate 60mph out of a carbed 4.3 for years now.

 

[roffey]

Stingray (the small ones) by their design are intended for cheap speed at the expense of ride quality as compared to other branded bowriders with the same engine package. Stingray to me is a great second or third boat in the fleet.

I'll call you on that one. I agree the Stingray is a lake boat for sure but the quality and ride is comparable to most other boats on the lake. I will admit bias on my part as I own a Stingray but compared to other boats they stack up or at least the newer ones do. IMHO.

 

[jkust]

I'll call you on that one. I agree the Stingray is a lake boat for sure but the quality and ride is comparable to most other boats on the lake. I will admit bias on my part as I own a Stingray but compared to other boats they stack up or at least the newer ones do. IMHO.

I suppose all you can do is a side by side amongst the dozen or so common lake boat, small bowrider brands to really see what is what if you are the op and figure it out.

 

[roffey]

agreed, it's all about what you are looking for in a boat and the more you research the better a decision you will make. OP do your home work, lol.

 

[hosteter]

My brother owns a crownline 202 with 4.3 volvo penta duoprop.its gor massive power.when you hit the trottle you plan in 2 seconds.previous boat was a sea ray 175 with 3.0 mercruiser.we ski and tubed with boat but crownline is much better with power.the consumption of fuel is almoust the same abbout 15~20 litres on our owerall.

 

[jkust]

My brother owns a crownline 202 with 4.3 volvo penta duoprop.its gor massive power.when you hit the trottle you plan in 2 seconds.previous boat was a sea ray 175 with 3.0 mercruiser.we ski and tubed with boat but crownline is much better with power.the consumption of fuel is almoust the same abbout 15~20 litres on our owerall.

Funny the contrary logic that the 4.3's that cost very little extra in the used market vs the 3.0's get nearly the same or the same 'mileage'. I have v8's in my suv's that get almost identical mileage as the less powerful 6 cylinder option. The engines work less. A 6 cylinder to me is a win-win-win in a small bowrider plus they don't have that 3 liter whine you can hear for a mile.