195 LS With 3.0L 135HP or 195 LS With 4.3L 190HP?

[knicks5171]

I'm sure this question has been asked a lot and I have seen some answers to this question but not specifically to the 195. I know that many 19 ft boats seem to struggle with the 3.0 but I am aware that Stingrays seem to go faster due to their hull design making this less of a problem. I just wanted some first hand advice on this issue. Many posts I have read around the internet seem to agree that the 3.0 is not the best engine for a 19ft boat but I couldn't find anything specifically for the Stingray. When I did a comparison of other 19 footers with the 3.0 they barely make it to 40 mph while the Stingray nearly gets up to 45. Just want to make sure that the 3.0 will be ok. Thanks for your help!

 

[jkust]

Re: 195 LS With 3.0L 190HP or 195 LS With 4.3L 190HP?

Re: 195 LS With 3.0L 190HP or 195 LS With 4.3L 190HP?

My take is there is more to consider than just top end. There's tow sports and the 50% more hp that the carbed v6 provides along with what 50% more hp can do when the boat is really loaded with people. The 3.0 will be loud and whiny as well in comparison. The difference between a 3.0 and a 4.3 is night and day and because the 4.3 has to work so much less there will be likely very little difference in fuel economy though it seems counterintuitive compared to a car. If it was to be my only boat and not a backup, I wouldn't consider a 3.0 though I know it seems tempting since they are a dime a dozen compared to v6's. At the end of the day regardless of how light the hull is the 4.3 is a lot more engine than a 3.0. Someone with a 3.0 will likely chime in and sing the virtues of the 4 cylinder soon.

 

[knicks5171]

Re: 195 LS With 3.0L 190HP or 195 LS With 4.3L 190HP?

Re: 195 LS With 3.0L 190HP or 195 LS With 4.3L 190HP?

Makes a lot of sense and since it will be used a lot for water sports it is definitely tempting to go with the 4.3 especially if there's going to be four or five people on the boat. I'm also assuming it will also take longer to plane if someone is being towed with the 3.0?

 

[specmkr]

Re: 195 LS With 3.0L 190HP or 195 LS With 4.3L 190HP?

Re: 195 LS With 3.0L 190HP or 195 LS With 4.3L 190HP?

I have the 20 footer with a 4.3 and couldn't imagine anything smaller. With 5-6 on mine and towing the tube, I am still searching for a prop that planes a little faster. I am quite sure the 3.0 will struggle. Just my 2 cents. I am new to boating, and still learning, but I am so glad I went with the 4.3. Everyone who rides with me has commented on how quiet it runs as well.

 

[MrKA428]

Re: 195 LS With 3.0L 190HP or 195 LS With 4.3L 190HP?

Re: 195 LS With 3.0L 190HP or 195 LS With 4.3L 190HP?

I have a 1999 190RX with a 3.0 Mercruiser. Into my third season with the boat. No problem pulling a skier on two skis or a wakeboard, even with 2 or 3 adults in the boat. It does have a hard time getting a skier on one ski up. The boat easily does over 40 MPH, although I seldom run it up to that speed. With all that being said, I would prefer the 4.3, mainly to reduce the strain on the engine.