17 foot 3.0 vs 18 foot 4.3?

[americaneagler77]

Re: 17 foot 3.0 vs 18 foot 4.3?

newer 2005 if it were me. rotten wood isnt fun and the late nineties are coming to that on some

 

[45Auto]

Re: 17 foot 3.0 vs 18 foot 4.3?

It would be easier to find a 3.0L in a boat junk yard than a 4.3 or 4.6. Wouldn't it?

I've never seen anything reasonably priced from a boat junkyard. The 4.3 is an automotive and truck motor and was used in millions of cars. A replacement motor for any small boat motor (5.7L, 5.0L, 4.3l, 3.0L, 2.5L) will run you around $1500.

Where are you buying a 2005 Four Winns with a 3.0L for $1500? That price doesn't sound right. If you don't buy let me know where the heck you found that. I'll buy it and flip it for an easy $1500-$2500.

I'll give you your $4K for it. Then I can flip it for an easy $4000-$5000! You won't touch a nice 2005 around here for anywhere less than $8k.

FWIW, the OP is saying that the prices are WITHIN $1.5K. The boat's price is NOT $1.5k .....

 

[ricovw]

Re: 17 foot 3.0 vs 18 foot 4.3?

I have a 3.0 in my boat. I dont have the bench type seating at the back though. That would be my only concern. It's a bit tight with that arrangement on a boat. I had my boat loaded with friends (5 adults from 120 - 180 pnds, and 3 kids), and i had no issues with getting on plane or hole shot. The reason for that is that I put a "high five" prop on it. It made such a difference to the boats performance. I had to sacrifice a few mph at the top end, but i never drove full throttle anyways. It made all the difference in the hole shot though.
If it were me, i think i would do the 3.0 again. Things are expensive enough as it is, and saving money in fuel costs are a huge bonus. My friend has the 4.3, and he goes through a lot more fuel than i do.
By the way, i have the back to back seats with the seats beside the engine cowling. I also use my boat as a fish n ski. I pull tubers and skiers all the time...however,a slalom skier has an extremely hard time getting up, and more often than not, we opt to drop a ski because the slalom guy cant get up due to lack of power, not skill. This might be a different story if i had a tower.

 

[drrpm]

Re: 17 foot 3.0 vs 18 foot 4.3?

Space gets tight in a hurry on small boats. My 20 footer is rated for 10 people, tolerable with 8 and comfortable with 6 or 7 adult sized people. If you have more kids or friends and family members are joining you the boat will fill up quickly. Having a smaller engine in a boat is different than in a car. It takes a lot more power to get a boat on plane and keep it there than it does to get a car up to highway speed. Therefore, the marine engine needs to operate at a higher fraction of its maximum output. Most tests show the 3.0 is not more efficient than the 4.3. While you might get adequate performance out of the 3.0, the 4.3 will match it easily and have plenty more to give when you want it.

 

[pbc]

Re: 17 foot 3.0 vs 18 foot 4.3?

You won't touch a nice 2005 around here for anywhere less than $8k.

To give you an idea how bad it is here, the guy selling the '05 wants $13k. Maybe I should drive to Buffalo and look there!

 

[jkust]

Re: 17 foot 3.0 vs 18 foot 4.3?

You just contradicted yourself. If there are more 3.0L's around, wouldn't your choose that motor instead? Let's say worse case he blows up the motor in 5 years. It would be easier to find a 3.0L in a boat junk yard than a 4.3 or 4.6. Wouldn't it?

There doesn't seem to be any logic there. There are more Chevy's than Kias so why does someone buy a Kia? The supply of something doesn't affect my demand necessarily.

 

[CaptOchs]

Re: 17 foot 3.0 vs 18 foot 4.3?

I've never seen anything reasonably priced from a boat junkyard. The 4.3 is an automotive and truck motor and was used in millions of cars. A replacement motor for any small boat motor (5.7L, 5.0L, 4.3l, 3.0L, 2.5L) will run you around $1500.

I'll give you your $4K for it. Then I can flip it for an easy $4000-$5000! You won't touch a nice 2005 around here for anywhere less than $8k.

FWIW, the OP is saying that the prices are WITHIN $1.5K. The boat's price is NOT $1.5k .....

Really? I see used 3.0's on CL all the time in my area. Don't see many 4.3's or 5.0's. There are people that have been posting for months looking for those motors. But key word is "automotive" in your sentence. Why buy a motor in which you can't use most of the parts off of because it's not a marine engine?

Uh yeah.. It's one of those sentences that has two meanings depending how you interpret it. I think that was a dozen prior posts.. You failed to catch the joke though..

 

[88wellcraft]

Re: 17 foot 3.0 vs 18 foot 4.3?

Just thought I'd throw in my .02

i used to have a wellcraft with a 4.3 omc...love the motor....drive not so much although it was a cobra....coulda been worse.
wife and i went on a little road trip one time and ended up renting a boat with the 3.0....merc i believe.....I hated it.....the whole boat seemed to vibrate and rattle and the sound from it was scary....might have been maintenance issues but the boat just didn't feel powered right with me being used to the 4.3.

We got rid of the wellcraft and a couple months ago purchased a 2000 four winns horizon 200 with the 5.0. (one of my requirements was 4.3 or above) we looked at a couple different layouts including one with the bench seat across the back. we ended up with back to back seats and jumpseats by the engine compartment....the sport seating took up way too much room in my opinion.

 

[98Shabah]

Re: 17 foot 3.0 vs 18 foot 4.3?

I love the simplicity of my little 3.0.. 4 plugs and wires, all very easy to get at, one exhaust manifold and block valve to drain when I winterize it.. No power steering cooler to drain.

Newer is nice, but of course it isn't just about age but more about how the boat was cared for, whether it was stored indoors or outdoors, whether or not someone has already been sanding into & buffing on the gelcoat, etc.

 

[CaptOchs]

Re: 17 foot 3.0 vs 18 foot 4.3?

There doesn't seem to be any logic there. There are more Chevy's than Kias so why does someone buy a Kia? The supply of something doesn't affect my demand necessarily.

Ok, since you switched to an automotive example let me put it to you this way. If Chevy and Kia both used the exact same 4 cyl motor and parts are readily available for either car, would you think twice about buying a BMW 4.2L V-6? A motor that isn't made in this country? Some say "yes" because they want the power. Others that are on a budget would think otherwise. Of course automotive motors aren't run at 4000RPM uphills for most of their life. We don't replace them as often.
Look, I'm not trying to argue, I'm just stating a point that I noticed more used 3.0L marine engines on the market. If you look at the cost of rebuilt engines, most go for about $1500. 4 cly's 6 cly's and 8 cly's alike.

 

[pbc]

Re: 17 foot 3.0 vs 18 foot 4.3?

Went to see the 2005 last night. Looks like it is in great condition. Guy said he bought in from a Four Winns dealer in Feb (went to Rochestor, supposedly for US$11.5k?), but has decided to move to a 25 foot with a cuddy apparently. Seemed roomy enough for seven (including 2 at the bow) with two of the back seats that transform into casting seats for the front and back. But of course i keep thinking about that 3L engine now! He has it listed for $13k which he claims is what he paid after duties/taxes at the border.

A 2001 FW Horizon 180 just came up for sale not too far, $15k, 147 hours on the meter with a 4.3 and the bench seating at the back. Pics look in really good condition as well. Unfortunately has the sunsport option vs standard seating but even with teh 17footer this seating seemed fine for me when I sat in the back or front seats.

Hmmm.

Regarding maintenance/winterizing, how difficult is it to do this by myself? I.e., I'd plan on keeping in at the cottage and putting it in the cottage garage in the winter. Some have mentioned the 3.0 is significantly easier than the 4.3?

 

[pbc]

Re: 17 foot 3.0 vs 18 foot 4.3?

I love the simplicity of my little 3.0.. 4 plugs and wires, all very easy to get at, one exhaust manifold and block valve to drain when I winterize it.. No power steering cooler to drain.

Newer is nice, but of course it isn't just about age but more about how the boat was cared for, whether it was stored indoors or outdoors, whether or not someone has already been sanding into & buffing on the gelcoat, etc.

Hi 98Shabah,

What do you mean about the last point? I.e., one of the boats for sale the guy mentioned he recently had it wet sanded and refinished. Is this not a good thing to do to a boat? Sorry if this is a dumb Q, just learning! Currently we have a boat from the late 60's with an 80HP outboard Merc, so going to a newer boat with a I/O will be a big change!

Thx

 

[98Shabah]

Re: 17 foot 3.0 vs 18 foot 4.3?

There are no dumb questions. All I meant was that in the price range and year range you are looking you should be able to find a boat that has all the original / unmolested gel coat. If it's been wetsanded and buffed the gel will be thinner, and if it has been wetsanded and regel coated then the finish is only as good as the materials and workmanship of the guy that did it. My boat is 13 years old and has never needed to be wetsanded or refinished, but it was taken care of and stored indoors.

The winterizing of the 3.0 vs the 4.3 is mainly just quicker because there are less places to drain water from the engine.. If you've ever done oil changes and tuneups on automobiles then winterizing an I/O is no big deal, just be sure to follow the service manual.

 

[pbc]

Re: 17 foot 3.0 vs 18 foot 4.3?

Good to hear, thanks!

 

[CaptOchs]

Re: 17 foot 3.0 vs 18 foot 4.3?

PBC,
Check out: http://www.nadaguides.com/Boats/2005/Four-Winns/170-HORIZON-LE++-18/Standard-Equipment

 

[pbc]

Re: 17 foot 3.0 vs 18 foot 4.3?

PBC,
Check out: http://www.nadaguides.com/Boats/2005/Four-Winns/170-HORIZON-LE++-18/Standard-Equipment

Yeah, saw this. Seems up here in Canada the used boats go for 40% or more than what you guys pay on avg down in the States. Probably because when they were new they were more expensive here due to taxes, differences in US vs CDA prices (even cars are some 20% or more and used to be even more than that before the dollar evened out), and I'm guessing supply and demand (i.e., in the US there are way more boats available?).

Over the past week I've seen the 97 4 Winns with 4.3 for $12k, the 97 for $11.5k, 2005 with 3.0 for $13k, 2001 with 4.3 for $15k, another '96 with a 4.3 for $12k.

So the asks on these boats are generally $10 to $15k depending on age, motor, condition, vs $6 to $10k in the US. Lovely.

 

[zagger]

Re: 17 foot 3.0 vs 18 foot 4.3?

Go with the 05. Last year I sold my Maxum 1700SR with 3.0. Had it since new in 97 and took great care of it but I also new there were some expensive maintenance coming up.. I can tell you older boat will require maintenance, things rust and will need replacement like risers etc. Never had a problem with 3.0 power,wright prop is the key. Puling tubes with five people on them was not an issue.

 

[pbc]

Re: 17 foot 3.0 vs 18 foot 4.3?

Seems a '97 Sea Ray 175 with a 4.3 Merc is available now, $7500, much more reasonably priced depending on the condition. Though I guess it's not a Four Winns FWIW.

http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-cars-veh...-Sea-Ray-175-boat-for-sale-W0QQAdIdZ297703395

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 17 foot 3.0 vs 18 foot 4.3?

That's a nice (Canadian) deal there. SeaRays are at least on par with FourWinns I'd think. As I mentioned before my uncle has the 175 with a 3.0 and it does great, with the 4.3 it should be excellent.

 

[jkust]

Re: 17 foot 3.0 vs 18 foot 4.3?

Ok, since you switched to an automotive example let me put it to you this way. If Chevy and Kia both used the exact same 4 cyl motor and parts are readily available for either car, would you think twice about buying a BMW 4.2L V-6? A motor that isn't made in this country? Some say "yes" because they want the power. Others that are on a budget would think otherwise. Of course automotive motors aren't run at 4000RPM uphills for most of their life. We don't replace them as often.
Look, I'm not trying to argue, I'm just stating a point that I noticed more used 3.0L marine engines on the market. If you look at the cost of rebuilt engines, most go for about $1500. 4 cly's 6 cly's and 8 cly's alike.

Ok I see. I don't buy anything based on replacement parts availability. The mere fact that there are 1000 type a replacement widgets and 100 type b replacement widgets doesn't sway my purchasing decision. If I want more power I buy the item with more power not the item with less power knowing there are more of them and i'll sleep better at night. Now I have less power and the knowledge that I can replace it with more of the same less power if needed. By the same token then, if there are less of them, maybe the replacement is more expensive. That's fine, I'll just write a bigger check but do my best to ensure I never need to replace it. Engine replacement not due to neglect is rare around me. Usually it is from poor winterizing and most severe damage is outdrive related in my experience. Outdrives are the same on our low powered boats.