17.5-18.5 Sea Rays. 3.0L or 4.3L Mercrusier best?

[wink21]

I'm looking at 2 similar sea ray's - late 90's. One is an 87, 17.5 foot with a 3.0L Mercruiser - the other is a 88, 18.5ft with a 4.3L Mercrusier.

My questions are:
1. Is the 3.0L ample for the 17.5ft boat - especially for pulling adults skiiing
2. Do both of these engines have an equally good reputation? I understand the 3.0 is historically solid
3. Is there a significant diff in fuel economy?
4. If these boats are in comparable shape and price what would you recommend.

Thanks alot!

Scott

 

[204 Escape]

Re: 17.5-18.5 Sea Rays. 3.0L or 4.3L Mercrusier best?

In my opinion, BIGGER is BETTER !!!!!!!! If you can find one witha 5.0, in good shape, etc., I'd get it. HOWEVER, IMO, a 4.3 is a good engine.

 

[nlain]

Re: 17.5-18.5 Sea Rays. 3.0L or 4.3L Mercrusier best?

I had a 87 17 SeaRay Seville with 3.0L, it was fine with 2 adults and 1 child, put 4 addults, 1 child and it struggled to get on plane. I now have a 2004 SeaRay 185Sport with 4.3L, I like it better, more room, fuel consumption is not that much different, I have added Smart Tabs to mine and on a set run I make the 87, 17 used about 9 - 10 gals gas, the same run on the 185 before tabs was 12 - 13 gals, after tabs about 11 gals gas, that run is about an hour out and an hout in. If it was me and my experience I would check both boats out very carefully, check for soft spots in the floor, my 87 was getting soft when I traded for the 04, check the transom also, my preference would be the 185 for the room, cruising speed of about 30 - 35 versus about 20 - 25 on the 17, will handle the water better, my 17 I had to check the weather and decide it I was going out or not, I run to the sound here and if the seas were more than 2-4 I stayed home and some times with 2-4 I wished I had stayed home, with the 185 it is still rough sometimes but I can go out.

 

[cadrien]

Re: 17.5-18.5 Sea Rays. 3.0L or 4.3L Mercrusier best?

early this summer i purchased a 1995 Sea Ray 195 BR with the 4.3. Granted this is a bit bigger boat than you are thinking, but I can guarantee you I would not have been happy with the 3.0. We ski and tube behind the boat all day and barely use half a tank of gas. Would I like more power, sure. Am I happy with the performance of the 4.3 on my boat, yes. If you can find a 4.3 in good shape in a cared for hull, do it.

 

[collind]

Re: 17.5-18.5 Sea Rays. 3.0L or 4.3L Mercrusier best?

I have a 2007 Sea Ray 185 Sport with the 3.0L and its adequate. It's no speed demon but pulling skiiers and full loads don't seem to be a problem. However, I have heard that its a heavy knock on the resale value, but that might get you a better deal.

 

[akazanar]

Re: 17.5-18.5 Sea Rays. 3.0L or 4.3L Mercrusier best?

I bought a Sea Ray 185 bowrider with the 4.3 this summer for my first boat. It has been a blast and pulls skiers/tubers with no problems. Wouldn't want less power though for sure.

 

[jmarty10]

Re: 17.5-18.5 Sea Rays. 3.0L or 4.3L Mercrusier best?

I had a 3.0 for 3 years. With my family on board and trying to pull a kid tubing with wife in back it always struggled to get on plane. I currently have a 4.3 and the difference is unbelievable. I dont even have to go WOT to get it on plane. Wouldnt have it any other way now. The fuel consumption on my 4.3 is better than my old 3.0. Of course the boat is 15 years newer. We rode yesterday up and down river twice (about 48 miles) it used a little more thana 1/4 tank.

 

[wca_tim]

Re: 17.5-18.5 Sea Rays. 3.0L or 4.3L Mercrusier best?

no question that a 4.3 is a lot better and will be much more versitile...

 

[shorts&chanclas]

Re: 17.5-18.5 Sea Rays. 3.0L or 4.3L Mercrusier best?

4.3 all the way. Even better if its the MPI 4.3 (has the same hp as the 5.0 carb).

 

[180shabah]

Re: 17.5-18.5 Sea Rays. 3.0L or 4.3L Mercrusier best?

Another vote for the 4.3

 

[Y-Guy]

Re: 17.5-18.5 Sea Rays. 3.0L or 4.3L Mercrusier best?

Based on the sheer number of 3.0's I found while shopping it concerned me. Local dealers don't order but on 3.0 a year. Most owners I spoke with about their boat that had a 3.0 admitted they were buying a bigger boat and the few I pushed on admitted they were mostly buying a bigger motor. Go with the larger one.