Which would be better for a first boat?

[BeRoyalKC]

I’ve done some browsing and couldn’t find exactly what I was looking for so I apologize if this has been asked a ton of times. I’m sure it has.

In the market for our first boat and I’ve found what seem to be two pretty good options so I was curious what you all think would be the better buy.

1. 2009 Crownline 185 SS with 5.0L Merc TKS (160 hrs)
2. 2012 Chaparral H20 18 Sport with 3.0L Merc MPI (60 hrs)

The Chap is about $1,100 more so price is pretty negligible. You can tell the Crownline is 3 years older as it does have a little more wear on the interior as well as the hull (nothing terrible, just a few scuffs). However, the Crown has a few more features with the wakeboard tower/speakers and social swim. The Chap is in great condition, though.

My main concern is engine performance and reliability. Definitely sounds nice to have the larger 5.0L, but would the 3.0L be more reliable with MPI? It’s just my wife and me for now so I’m kind of thinking the 3.0L would do just fine for us. We will be doing some water sports as well and I?d imagine there won?t be more than 4 adults on board at anytime. Thanks in advance!

 

[JASinIL2006]

I'd rather have more HP, personally.

 

[rallyart]

I'd pick the boat with the 5.0 also. If there are some scuffs you don't have to worry about how you'll feel when you put one one and the engine is way better for watersports and resale. You will never here someone complain about having too much power. The MPI engine will be lower maintenance, though.
The best thing about the internet is that someone will always give you the advice to do what you wanted to anyway. It might not be me, but someone will.

 

[Lowlysubaruguy]

For sure the 5.0 id want some sort of assurance it's been winterized and has no problems from the lack of this. Not that this is the only thing I want checked. But your climate requires winterization.

 

[drrpm]

As long as there are no significant problems the V8 boat is the better pick. I've never come back from a day on the lake wishing I had a wimpier boat. The difference in the amount of gas you'll burn is negligible under reasonable operating conditions and fuel cost is one of the smaller boat related expenses.

 

[jkust]

That's a tough one...it's a first boat so many of the things I might suggest go out the window. I despise the 1800's technology of carbs, but that 3 liter is undesirable for other reasons. I don't like that the Crown is showing wear already at 160 hours...I expect zero evidence of use on the interior at that low hour reading as is what happens with high quality boats, their interior materials and vinyls...but again we are talking first boat to learn from then move to something nicer when the time comes. Without seeing pics of the Crown, I think I might go for the large engine. The sounds of a 3 liter on my bay bothers me almost as much as the sound of the old school 2 stroke PWC's that are all but gone off the lake. I'll put a dig in at the H20 Chaparrals as well as I wouldn't ever own one because they are their lowest end boat meant for affordability brought on by the economic downturn several years ago but for a first boat, it'd be ok. My neighbor is new to boating and has his house on the lake next to me and just bought a just under 60k entry level first boat and I cringe when I watch how he treats it. He really should have done what you are doing in order to learn how to be a boater.

 

[R055]

I'll take a 5.0 over the 3.0. Gas will be just a little worse or really close because you'll be pushing the 3.0 near red line for the same tasks that would only require 3000rpms on the 5.0.

 

[BeRoyalKC]

I appreciate all the advice! I'm still having trouble making a decision because there are pros and cons to both. The wear on the crown is a little concerning (I'd imagine it was the previous owners first boat) but I don't think I would enjoy the 3.0L as much. We might actually step back, do some more research and keep the search going for something that fits our needs/wants a little better. Thanks again everyone!

 

[jkust]

I appreciate all the advice! I'm still having trouble making a decision because there are pros and cons to both. The wear on the crown is a little concerning (I'd imagine it was the previous owners first boat) but I don't think I would enjoy the 3.0L as much. We might actually step back, do some more research and keep the search going for something that fits our needs/wants a little better. Thanks again everyone!

Good idea...no reason to settle on that Crownline that has any visible wear at all. Should look like a new boat still, at least on the inside.

 

[EchoNovember]

I would want more HP myself, plus the wakeboard tower and speakers are a nice bonus. It will likely cost that $1,100 difference to have something like that installed anyways. More HP usually means more fun.

As lowlysubaruguy said, I'd want to know if the motor was properly winterized if in a cold climate. Also, what maintenance has been performed? Oil changed regularly? Spark plugs?

If both engines have been well maintained, then it comes down to features. What features does each boat have? Make a spreadsheet listing the features of each boat, then eliminate the ones they have in common. Use the list of differences that is left over to determine what features are most important to you. In the end, it will be a matter of personal preference, and a choice that you need to make sure is right for you and your wife.