4 cyl or V6 sterndrive?

[EastoWest]

I'm planning to buy a 17'runabout boat (new) and I don't know if i should get 130Hp (4 cyl) or 190Hp (V6). The difference is about $3500-4000. Will be used for watersports and some cruising, mostly on fresh water. Is it worth the money?

 

[6MISFITZ]

Re: 4 cyl or V6 sterndrive?

The 4 cylinder would be more than adequate for pulling a skier. Put more than 2 people on a big tube and you will bog going through a decent wake. The V6 will just about gaurantee that you have the power to eject any tube riders at will in a corner, if you are so inclined.<br /><br />The V6 will offer a more relaxed and a higher cruising speed then the 4 cyl but then you will burn a little more fuel as well. The dealer should have a brochure with speeds and ranges for both engines. The best bet would be to ask the dealer for a test drive of boats with the engines you are looking at for a good seat of the pants comparison.<br />It is your money so I am sure the dealer will be happy to comply!

 

[Bart Sr.]

Re: 4 cyl or V6 sterndrive?

EastoWest...I have a Yamaha L4-3.0 Litre 130 Horse I/O in my 16FT Fiberglass bowrider and have no problems with hole shots or WFO (50 MPH). Two tubers or two skiers with myself (210lbs) and one other adult on board. Any more would be crowded not to mention exceeding weight limits. I'm sorry to admit that I don't know what my prop pitch is though (maybe next year I'll find out). I,personally wouldn't pay the difference but the advice about water test runs is to your advantage. Just my $.02. THANKFULLY AND RESPECTFULLY>>BART SR.

 

[MrBill]

Re: 4 cyl or V6 sterndrive?

Easto West.....there is so much that is more important than horsepower in determining top end speed, prop pitch and diam, hull design, vertical, weight, etc. As Bart Sr mentioned, he's getting 50 mph with a 130, my top speed is 38-40 with 165hp in a 19 ft bowrider (heavy, deep, hull). Since you're buying new, you should be able to atleast test something, 130 hp or other. $3500 is a fairly large differential to think about...but there are options, such as, is the 130 hp a 2bbl carb? will a 4 bbl boost hp to 145-150?...and potentially give the performance you want for a reasonable investment later. <br /><br />I checked www.crownline.com which is one of the boat manufacturers who publishes MSRP on-line. The MSRP differential between 135hp and 190 hp on their runabout line is $3500 as you mentioned, but you should evaluate the ACTUAL differential which is more likely $2000-$2200....hope you're bargaining off MSRP?????....I'd go the extra HP.

 

[rogerwa]

Re: 4 cyl or V6 sterndrive?

I have a 17ft with a 3.0l and am perfectly happy. It is downright miserly on the fuel. I had a 50hp Force that I swear burned more fuel. I maintain it myself and everything is easy to get to. In my view it is a very simple motor to work on. If the motor blows, this one will be quite a bit cheaper to replace than a six or an eight.<br /><br />I currently run a 19p at around 42 empty. It will overrev if I go WOT. I could even move to a 21p to get more speed.<br /><br />I have also heard these units described as bulletproof. Meaning they are pretty trouble free.<br /><br />On the other hand, you will never complain about having too much power.

 

[Bondo]

Re: 4 cyl or V6 sterndrive?

If you have Too Much Power, you don't Have to use it..... If you don't have enough Power, Well you just don't have it..........<br />i'd go with the V6... that's what i'm running now....<br />The V6s,+ V8s are actually cheaper to work on because they're automotive based, And still used in those apps.....<br />the 4cyl, thou automotive based, has been OUT of automotive app. for over 20yrs.....<br />All of these motors have been in use for Many years,+ are All pretty Bulletproof..... When Properly Maintained..........

 

[mkast]

Re: 4 cyl or V6 sterndrive?

If you keep this boat for more than twenty mimutes, you'll wish you bought the v6.<br />Look at the message board postings, "What can I do to get alittle more speed out of my boat?"<br />After words, it will cost you alot more than $3500. If this is your first boat, learn the lesson every boat owner out there has learned, you never have enough power. Don't listen to the people that say, "My two cylinder engine gets 2,000 hours of operation on one tablespoon of fuel! That's more than enough power for me!" The truth is they are to CHEAP to buy the boat they really want. SPEED COSTS MONEY! Then after one or two years, "What can I do to get more power out of my boat!" No one is telling you to run around at Wide Open Throttle in the "No Wake Zone", use alittle maturity, you have your hand on the throttle, but when you need the power, it will be there. You will NEVER regret having the power, you WILL regret NOT having the power, for how long?

 

[Lark40]

Re: 4 cyl or V6 sterndrive?

In 2001, I bought a brand new 19' Bayliner with a Merc 3.0.<br /><br />In 2002, I sold that boat and bought a 15-year-old 22' with a 4.3 V6.<br /><br />Believe it or not, but everyone agrees that the old V6 is much smoother and quieter than than the new I-4.<br /><br />Not to mention that the old OMC Cobra drive shifts much easier than the Merc Alpha One.<br /><br />While a 17' boat may not need a V6, you'll be much happier if you get it.

 

[skier]

Re: 4 cyl or V6 sterndrive?

I have a 16' Glastron with a 140 Merc outboard and the reason is, The one time I need to have the power and speed, I'll have it. Doesn't mean that I use it all the time, But I know it's there if I do need it. I had one time that I did need it and I was soo happy that it was there. If not I most likely wouldn't be here.<br /><br />Craig

 

[EastoWest]

Re: 4 cyl or V6 sterndrive?

Thanks for your replies. Boat that I want to buy (first boat) is a 03 Four Winns 170 Freedom with Volvo Penta SX drive. 4 cyl and V6 are both 2BBL (I really don't know what this means ). <br />Now I'm doing my homework in order to be prepared at boat show (january)

 

[zakaih7]

Re: 4 cyl or V6 sterndrive?

EAstowest<br /><br />I have a 19' bayliner capri with a little 4 cyl...only 115 hp. It runs 42 mph with just me in the boat. I love it and can run it hard all weekend for about 40 bucks. I know guys with big (ones) hehe that spend more than that to cross the lake. Your pocket book should deteremine what you can sustain for the long haul. I had a smaller boat with a v-6 that I could't afford to use because of the gas guzzling. It cost me about 50 bucks a day to fish and ski with it. That was beyand my budget and I got rid of the boat. This is the second capri I have owned and I think it is a hard combination to beat!<br />I took several boats out with the dealers on the water before I ever got serious about buying. It is the only smart thing to do. Then you will be able to compare the apples and oranges and make the best decision for yourself. If you do all this befoere the boat shows start you will be able to deal form an "informed" position.<br />Good luck and happy boating.<br /><br />zakiah7<br />Michael Sherick

 

[DaveM]

Re: 4 cyl or V6 sterndrive?

If the $$$ are not an issue, why would you not go for the larger engine? I have not seen anyone on this board complain about too much HP, but there are plenty whining about squeezing more out of their engines. The 190HP is based on the GM 4.3L V6, which has been around for a long time and is very reliable.<br /><br />I have the 1994 version VP 4.3L V6. It produces 160HP, cruises nicely at 30 MPH and does 43 WOT. I wish I had my boss' 5.0L V8. It cruises at 40 MPH with a top end of 55. Would I need that? No, but it sure would be fun to have the option!

 

[Dennis4b]

Re: 4 cyl or V6 sterndrive?

Hi EastoWest,<br /><br />I have a 17', not sure what the type is called , it has a deep-V hull and is quite heavy for its size (900kgs or so), usual configuration is with a 140HP mercruiser, but some had 170HP ones, which is what I got <br /><br />The 170 is a 4 cylinder 224 cid, and tends to be quite good on gas since it is also very light (6 cyls would be a bit worse). That said, having enough power ("enough" meaning you are very careful when you floor it!) is great! You never know when you need to get out of the way or dodge a big wake, or outrun a storm.<br /><br />A previous boat, lighter, flatter hull, 21', came with a 85 HP Johnson O/B, and you'd drive it pretty much at WOT all the time to get a good ride. We replaced it with a 150HP Mercury, and while it spends more time at WOT than the 17' with 170HP, it is a big difference!<br /><br />If you can afford it, and the boat is rated for the HP (which from your story it is) then go for it. Nobody regrets having too much power. But then I'm preaching to the choir <br /><br />Oh yeah, and testdrive!! That will take ALL the doubt away as soon as you have that 6 cyl under your control