Mercruiser 3.0L vs. 4.3L

[MMilligan1]

I am in the market for an upgrade to our family boat. We're not a family that boats every day, so we are looking at what most would consider an "average" boat. My question is this: I currently have a 4.3L in my 19' I/O, and there are times when we have 5 or 6 people on board that I struggle getting skiiers out of the water. I've noticed that several boats for sale have a 3.0L. Does anyone have any experience with the two different engines? Am I going to be disappointed with a 3.0L, or are there things (like changing the pitch of the prop) that really do make a difference to where I wouldn't have any concerns with the 3.0L?

 

[ponchoman]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0L vs. 4.3L

It will be the same performance you are getting with a skier and 5-6 people. Except it will be with just you lol. You won't be happy trust me. Everyone I know with a 3.0 wants to upgrade to the 4.3.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0L vs. 4.3L

I am in the market for an upgrade to our family boat. We're not a family that boats every day, so we are looking at what most would consider an "average" boat. My question is this: I currently have a 4.3L in my 19' I/O, and there are times when we have 5 or 6 people on board that I struggle getting skiiers out of the water. I've noticed that several boats for sale have a 3.0L. Does anyone have any experience with the two different engines? Am I going to be disappointed with a 3.0L, or are there things (like changing the pitch of the prop) that really do make a difference to where I wouldn't have any concerns with the 3.0L?

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,.... Yer marginally Happy with the 4.3l,...

You'll be extremely disappointed with over 30% Less horsepower,....

Especially playin' with a really Loaded boat,...

 

[MMilligan1]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0L vs. 4.3L

Thanks, this is exactly what I was expecting, but I wanted to make sure before I narrowed my search...

Thanks again!

 

[aerobat]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0L vs. 4.3L

Does anyone have any experience with the two different engines? Am I going to be disappointed with a 3.0L, or are there things (like changing the pitch of the prop) that really do make a difference to where I wouldn't have any concerns with the 3.0L?

well, i have a volvo penta 3.0 in a 21 footer and have some experience on a mecruiser 4.3 in a caravelle 205 .

take your choice.

the 3.0 has very good midrange torque / power so when tuned up correctly it will have no problem with pulling skiers or tubes. the 4.3 has noticeable more power on top end / topspeed but not really on the hole shot.

 

[mwe-maxxowner]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0L vs. 4.3L

I think you could prop the boat to pull skiiers up, but top speed would be slow. I have a 19' with a 4.3, my friend has a similar sized 19' with a 3.0. His boat is a little heavier and a little deeper v. It runs a similar top speed as mine, but it does struggle a little more getting people up on boards if it's loaded up. Especially if those people are just learning. Experienced boarders I think could come up behind a troller motor. Beginners need a little more muscle.

I think if my buddy put about a 15" prop on his boat, it would do great. But then cruising would be painstakingly slow.

 

[agallant80]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0L vs. 4.3L

I had the 4.3 MPI in my 21 foot Stingray bow rider. It worked great. I had a 19P prop on it and could pull up at 240Lb skier no problem. I think there is more to it than just the motor. The prop pitch, hull design, tabs etc all count towards how the boat performs. If it were me I would not get a 3.0 if I could avoid it. Just remember that there is a 30HP difference between the carb and fuel injected version of the 4.3. The FI/MPI is 220 HP the carb is 190.