MerCruiser SeaCore engine

[BobS14127]

Anyone have any experience with the SeaCore engine by Mercury? My understanding is this is the first year for it.

Among the engine options for a Bayliner 245 are a 5.0L MPI Bravo III(260hp) with Freshwater cooling and the same engine without the cooling option. Is this worth the 1379 difference? The next engine up is an additional 7664 for a 350 MAG MPI Bravo III 300hp.

I'm still making up my mind and now am leaning to the 245 instead of the Bayliner 265, carrying 2 or 3 adults, food etc. It will be kept in a marina, so trailering is not an issue. It will be used for weekend cruising on the Great Lakes etc.

Eventually I hope to move to VA/NC and enjoy the good weather etc.

Any opinions are welcome.

Bob

 

[j442w30]

Re: MerCruiser SeaCore engine

SeaCore is Mercury's saltwater sterndrive protection system. The parts are painted with a more corrosion resistant paint, Mercathode system is standard and several other things are different, I forget the details.

If you are planning on slipping your boat is saltwater I would recommend getting this option. For a 245 Bayliner I would think that a 5.0 engine would not be enough power, I would be looking at a 350 MAG or 6.2 minimum. The Bravo 3 drive will help a lot but I would get as much engine as you can afford.b

 

[QC]

Re: MerCruiser SeaCore engine

I personally like the way the 265 looks a lot. The lines are better and it looks like a much bigger boat. I definitely agree on the biggest engine you can afford unless you are happy to cruise below 30 MPH . . .

 

[BobS14127]

Re: MerCruiser SeaCore engine

Yes, I like the 265 too, but the price tag with the options we want is climbing to the budget breaking point, hence the 245. Wish I could get a 265, but too much $$.

 

[DJ]

Re: MerCruiser SeaCore engine

There is no replacement for displacement. Just because you have it doesn't mean you have to use it.

Don't buy the smaller boat and realize you have "2footitis". It's a common ailment frequently diagnosed right after your first outing.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: MerCruiser SeaCore engine

Anyone have any experience with the SeaCore engine by Mercury? My understanding is this is the first year for it.

Among the engine options for a Bayliner 245 are a 5.0L MPI Bravo III(260hp) with Freshwater cooling and the same engine without the cooling option. Is this worth the 1379 difference? The next engine up is an additional 7664 for a 350 MAG MPI Bravo III 300hp.

Just because it has closed cooling doesn't mean it's a Sea Core drive. What you describe right there is just a closed cooled engine versus a raw water cooled engine.
If you boat in saltwater, then closed cooling would probably be worth it. If you are in freshwater exclusively, then it's probably not. Unless your freshwater has a lot of minerals in it.

 

[BobS14127]

Re: MerCruiser SeaCore engine

Thanks for all the replies. I learn a lot from this forum.

Bob