buying new boat

newboat1 · #1 April 21st, 2003, 08:41 AM

I am looking at buying a new boat and could use some advice from knowledgeable sources. I am looking at an I/O 3.0L MerCruiser with power steering. Is this powerful enough to pull skiers? Is power steering necessary? I appreciate your help.

2770 · #2 April 21st, 2003, 10:02 AM

The first thing you need to do is see how much the boat weighs and how big of a boat it is.The engine is a small one but the kind of boat it is pushing is important.You can always change the prop to more of a working prop to pull a skier once you determine if the engine is suitable for the boat that it is in. CC

newboat1 · #3 April 21st, 2003, 11:58 AM

Thank you. I have that information. The boat weighs approx. 3000 (plus people weight of approx. 800) and is approx. 18' long. How do I know if the 3.0 is OK for skiing on this boat? Also, do you know anything about the power steering and whether it is needed?

2770 · #4 April 21st, 2003, 02:29 PM

That sounds pretty heavy for a 3.0 to push.I would not expect to pull any skiers with it .The only way to really judge it is to take it for a sea trial and see how it moves the boat .The power steering is nice but not necessary.Good luck!!! CC

whiteboy71759 · #5 April 21st, 2003, 05:08 PM

I agree, thats alot of boat. Even with a power prop would be tough to pull up a slalom. Go V-6.

GregCC167Concept · #6 April 21st, 2003, 08:19 PM

newboat - I have a 17 footer with a 3.0 OMC on it. It will pull a single average sized skier pretty well but I wouldn't try a "large" person or a pair. It does well for buzzing around and pulling kneeboards and tubes but if I were buying a new one, I'd go for at least a V6. No matter what, though - take it for a spin first if you can. And someone else had a point too about the power steering. There was a good artical about power steering on boats in this month's boating magazine. It's not like power steering on cars - at least not on boats this size. It's listed as optional on my boat but I don't miss it. Just something else to cause you problems down the road.

Boatist · #7 April 22nd, 2003, 01:42 AM

Newboat

I have a 21 foot runabout that weighs 2800 without gear or people. Engine is a 3.0L 140HP OMC. It will pull one skier with no problem but I would use my 17 pitch prop. Top speed with 19 pitch prop 38mph, with 17 pitch 35mph. Still If I were buying new and planed to use mostly for skiing I would also go with the 4.3L V6 EFI. I wanted the 4 cylinder because I fish a lot in salt water and Exhaust manifold and Riser maintenance cost double with the V6.

Power steering I do not like and is not needed on the 3.0L. The reason I do not like it is again fishing. I have a kicker motor for trolling and saftey. I steer with a EZ Steer hooked to main outdrive. With power steering very hard to steer with Main engine off. Since lot of trolling and fishing done with main Engine off would be very hard to steer. Just like your car with the motor off, hard to steer.

newboat1 · #8 April 22nd, 2003, 06:25 AM

Thank you all for your information

. I appreciate your help.

Doug Durako · #9 April 23rd, 2003, 08:01 AM

Newboat1-----you won't be happy skiing behind that rig, unless you can operate it via remote control with no one in the boat. My wife and I have been slalom skiing for 25 years and have been behind all kinds of boats and motors. Buy as much power as you can afford.

If you are going to have any company in the boat while you ski (3 or 4 people), go with a minimum of 220 horsepower and a v8 if you can.

Otherwise, you will likely need to run at wide open throttle all the time to get the speed you need and your motor is not going to last as long running that way.

MrBill · #10 April 23rd, 2003, 01:58 PM

One of the biggest mistakes novices make when buying a new boat in the 18-24 foot range is settling for an under powered rig. The resale value declines significantly as a result of having a small 4 cyl in a reasonably nice boat.

I know of an 2002 18 foot Chaparral (w/3.0L) with only 15 hours on it, bought by a 20 year old novice who now needs to sell. He paid $20K + for it and can't get more than $14K for it because no one wants the 3.0 liter, including me.

I suggest upgrading the power for your own satisfaction, particularly if you're asking the "can I pull a skier" question. To get an adult out of the water on a slalom ski requires some HP. Move up to atleast 5.0 or 5.7 liter, you'll be glad from a usage standpoint and it'll maintain value better.