Is 3 liter 135 hp engine ok for 19.5 ft bowrider?

sail&power · Feb 19, 2006

I am considering buying a Stingray 195 bowrider. I am concerned that the Merc 3 liter 135 hp I/O will have enough power for short day-trips and skiing. I currently own a 160 Sea Ray (1989) with the same engine; it meets our needs perfectly. We never pull more than one skiier. I read one article that said a boat this size needs a larger engine. What are your experiences and thoughts?

Bondo · Feb 19, 2006

Re: Is 3 liter 135 hp engine ok for 19.5 ft bowrider?

I'm Sure that it would be more Sensitive to the Weight of that skier, with an Extra 3' of Boat............... Compared to what you're used to anyway..........It's a Borderline Package.......

roscoe · Feb 19, 2006

Re: Is 3 liter 135 hp engine ok for 19.5 ft bowrider?

test drive !!

SwampNut · Feb 19, 2006

Re: Is 3 liter 135 hp engine ok for 19.5 ft bowrider?

I think it's a hair over the borderline on the "too little" side. I had a 17' with that motor and thought it was just enough to get a skier out of the water with three people in the boat.

cobra 3.0 · Feb 20, 2006

Re: Is 3 liter 135 hp engine ok for 19.5 ft bowrider?

My 3.0 is on a 16 ft and skiing is a cinch with the proper prop. A 3.0 on a 19 ft sounds borderline to me. 4.3 would be a better package to me.

phatmanmike · Feb 20, 2006

Re: Is 3 liter 135 hp engine ok for 19.5 ft bowrider?

isnt the 3.0 just a bored out ford 2.3 that they used in the pintos? move up man, move up

Bondo · Feb 20, 2006

Re: Is 3 liter 135 hp engine ok for 19.5 ft bowrider?

Originally posted by myoutboards: isnt the 3.0 just a bored out ford 2.3 that they used in the pintos? move up man, move up

The 2.5l,+ the 3.0l are Chevy Engnes......... No Fords No Where Anymore,........ In Boats anyway...........

crackerjack · Feb 20, 2006

Re: Is 3 liter 135 hp engine ok for 19.5 ft bowrider?

I wondered if the 3.0 was enough power when I got my 18" bowrider. But it tops out at just over 40mph and it does fine pulling a skier up with 3 people in the boat. I like the economy of the 3.0, for reduced fuel consumption of the boat and my tow vehicle. And there's one less bank of cylinders if any major service is required... The Stingrays are supposed to have "fast" hulls and you may still get over 40 mph, but at 19.5" I'd look at the 4.3.

tommays · Feb 20, 2006

Re: Is 3 liter 135 hp engine ok for 19.5 ft bowrider?

i have a Maxum 19.5 cuddy cabin 3.0 LX and if you want to ski you need the 4.3 its not the top speed its how much faster it will get on plane with the 4.3 tommays

sail&power · Feb 20, 2006

Re: Is 3 liter 135 hp engine ok for 19.5 ft bowrider?

Excellent input. I spoke with a sr test engineer at Stingray headquarters. He assured me that a combination of (a) Stingray's Z-plane hull (planes faster, less drag) and (b)Use of a 17-19 pitch prop (more acceleration but lower top speed) will easily permit me to pull a skier, wakeboarder or tube. I live in western NY (Finger Lakes) so I can not test drive. He says he is not simply tring to sell me a boat....?

paulie0735 · Feb 20, 2006

Re: Is 3 liter 135 hp engine ok for 19.5 ft bowrider?

I'm sure the boat performs adequately with the 3.0lt and it will perform well enough towing a tube, wakeboards and kneeboards but........if you are expecting it to pull a adult on a slalom ski up from a deep water start than forget it! That boat is about 150hp short of being anything close to a ski boat but if your happy on 2 skis and just want a boat for pleasure and the occasional water play with tubes and boards than you dont need any more power.

BRG25 · Feb 22, 2006

Re: Is 3 liter 135 hp engine ok for 19.5 ft bowrider?

IMO the 3.0 is way underpowered for that boat. You will wish you had the 4.3 the first time you load more than a couple people. This is my boat. 190FX with the 4.3L V6 on Skaneateles Lake.

Capt Ralph · Feb 22, 2006

Re: Is 3 liter 135 hp engine ok for 19.5 ft bowrider?

I have the 3.0 in a 18ft openbow w/ an alum 17p prop running at about 5400 feet above sea level. It has some difficulty pulling me (235lbs) slalom skiing, I just have to hold my breath and take a little water in my face, and I still get up. Wakeboarding is no problem....That's what were mostly doing on this boat. I would like to upgrade to a 4.3 though.

-C.R.

JamNJ1955 · Feb 22, 2006

Re: Is 3 liter 135 hp engine ok for 19.5 ft bowrider?

Definatly need the 4.3L 190HP...

esandali · Mar 11, 2006

Re: Is 3 liter 135 hp engine ok for 19.5 ft bowrider?

dude a ton of 19 footers came with 4 cylinders. they are all considered underpowered. this means they get on plane, have a so-so top speed and mabe you could pull a skier if there is 1 or 2 others in the boat. if skiing is your thing, then get a smaller boat or a bigger engine or accept the fact that you are only going to get marginal ski performance at best. if cruising is your thing, the 4 cylinder 19 footer is adequate

hatetobewrong · Mar 11, 2006

Re: Is 3 liter 135 hp engine ok for 19.5 ft bowrider?

Our 19.5 with a 3.0 tops out at 42 mph - plenty of cruising and tube pulling power for us, but I think pulling a skier with a load would push it's limits. If you're more about the skiing I'd look at the 4.3. Matt

cuzner · Mar 11, 2006

Re: Is 3 liter 135 hp engine ok for 19.5 ft bowrider?

I had a 3l in a 18 foot cuddy, had it for 10 years.We did alot of skiing for the first few. I put a 15p prop on it to get on a plane better and did,nt have a problem with 2 in the boat and 1 skier. 3 was a little tougher but I did do it quite abit. Just kept an eye on the tach.It was easy on fuel, and very easy to work on, I never had any engine trouble and I put alot of tough hours on it.If your looking for an inexpesive boat to run and maintain I'd consider it unless all you plan on doing is skiing. Jim

Is 3 liter 135 hp engine ok for 19.5 ft bowrider?

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