Hi all and thanks for all the replies. Sorry took a couple days to get back. The area where I live got hit hard with some rain, followed by flooding and landslides. Spent yesterday wading through water evacuating people and doing sandbags. This thread is about bigger ski boats, but I tell you what I really could have used a smaller aluminum jet sled to cruise the streets.LOL.
@
airshot
"Definitely stay Mercruiser as parts are far more plentifull, if you budget allows newer boats within the last 5 years should have fuel injection before that carbs. Not an accurate date but in general, As far as which engine can handle what....it depends on what boat it is in...also if you have 8 people in your boat then that changes everything."
Thanks for the info, I wasnt sure how long they have been doing EFI. As for the engine size, I guess I realized more people, more weight, = need for more power. I see alot of 18 footers with 4.3 in them and was wondering how they handled/ powered boats people skiers.
@tnstratofam
"+1 on Mercruiser for the drivetrain. More parts available, and more mechanics to work on them. How often will there be 8 people, and are they all adults or are some children of smaller size?"
8 people would include the person in the water, and probably be up to 3 or 4 kids. Thats 2 for Mercruiser. What are the other options?
@AllDodge
"Don't want to get into a full blown carb/EFI discussion but I'll say this; I like EFI over carbs for quick starts and throttle response. Carbs are easier to work on and don't need much in tools and expertise then EFI."
Thats kind of what I was thinking, but wanted to here from someone else. I am leaning towards EFI.
"Another thing I would stay away from is what is called the crab cap (or crap cap). These caps have had a lot of issues over the years. They run great until they don't and there is no warning when they go. Also looking at the cap you cannot find an issue with upon inspection."
Never heard of this, could you elaborate?
@keith2k455
"Since you are moving up, I assume you have an opinion on size and that will be hard to sway. The first question I would ask is if this will be stored in your garage or not. Standard door height is 7' so that will eliminate anything over 22' and some 22 footers."
For size I am looking at 18 to 20. A boating friend has a 20'. Plenty of room, and would love to have that much room. But some of the 18's i have seen look roomy as well.
"One thing to think about in size is seating configuration. I wanted sport seating and a walk through transom because we thought it'd be easier to teach our toddlers boat rules. I think sport seating gives more room than back to back and I like it better for family interaction. The walk through might cost me some room, but that's also where I put coolers and extra gear."
Could you clarify sport seating? I have converted my back to back seats to swivel seats, with open transom to bow. This is what I am looking for, and really enjoy this set up.
"On power, if you're concerned go bigger. No v6, period. I have a 5.0 with stainless prop and it gets up pretty good and will do 50 mph."
This is why I am asking. My boating partner has a 20' with 5.0. It really moves, but I wasnt sure that if i went to a lighter 18', would the 4.3 be equivilent?
"Mine is rated for 10 persons, I've had 6 with two of them being a 2yo and a 5yo. I don't think kids take less room and I think 10 would be fine on my boat."
I also would have kids in the boat, so the weight would likely not be too much.
I hope I answered everyone. I am new to this forum stuff, and couldnt figure out how to do numerous replies in one.
To explain a little further, I am looking for an 18' to 20' mainly for the size of the inside. I do keep my boat inside for the winter, and have an 8' door, but overall size is a consideration. In a perfect world a 20' open bow with captains chairs and a 5.0 seems to just about right. I have been in this set up and it works well for what I do. However $$$ becomes an issue. So I am looking for something a few years old( preferably no more than 10, but I am also looking for EFI, so that may change the age thing), 18' looks like it would work size wise, but may be a little cramped. Alot of the 18 footers for sale I see have either 3.0, and 4.3. Reading on here I have came to the conclusion a 3.0 would NOT be what Im looking for. I am a fan of outboards, but after swimming back and forth from my boat to my buddies, I have been told by my family that our next boat needs a swim deck and no outboard to jump/ climb around.
thanks for helping and keep coming. the more info and/or insight the better.