5.7L V8 enough?

[justarookie]

So we're boating rookies looking at a few boats. Two of them are 1996 24ft Four Winns Horizon open bows-both with the 454 and Volvo duo-props. The other is a 2002 22ft Four Winns Horizon open bow with the 5.7L V8 and duo-prop. Biggest skier/wakeboarder we have is 275 lbs. Would the smaller boat/motor be enough to pull skiers/wakeboarders/tubes with several (4-8) passengers on board? Even our heaviest guy? Same with the larger boats/motors? We just don't want to buy a boat and have it not meet our needs. Thanks for any info!

 

[Perlmudder]

Re: 5.7L V8 enough?

Couple questions:
1. is the 5.7 efi or carb?
2. will you be slalom skiing?

I believe there is a bit of a hp difference between the carb and efi models. I would say either boat would work well for what you want to do with it. You can always get smaller props if you want a better hole shot but it will decrease your top end. If it was me, I would probably go for the newer boat depending on price.

 

[justarookie]

Re: 5.7L V8 enough?

The 5.7 is efi and no slalom skiing, just regular skiing, some wakeboardig for fun, and tube-pulling. The smaller newer boat is actually priced $1000 less than one of the 1996's and has less than 100 hours. The boat is in perfect shape. We're just not sure how much difference having an extra 2 ft and bigger motor would make since we have a pretty big family. We have alot to learn!

 

[Perlmudder]

Re: 5.7L V8 enough?

if you are not slalom skiing i would say you will definitely be fine with the 5.7. depending how the boats are measured they might be real close in actual size and usable space. for the most part, any boat under 25 feet is going to be crowded once you pack 8 people onto it. it might help if you post some pictures so people can give you their honest opinions on both. good luck!

 

[75TowerOfPower]

Re: 5.7L V8 enough?

You will have enough power in both. Ever heard of 2 foot itis? Well depending on the future of your family and the size of the people 2 more feet may help. Also depnds on the layout of the boat.

The 5.7 efi will be about 300 hp and that should be plenty.

 

[Utahboatnut]

Re: 5.7L V8 enough?

I would thik either would be adequate even if you are slalom skiing(which if you arent now you may be in the future) duo props pull pretty hard out of the hole.

 

[justarookie]

Re: 5.7L V8 enough?

Thanks for the input! I really want the extra 2 ft and bigger motor, hubby wants newer 2 ft smaller boat with smaller motor. I like the layout of the bigger boat, and it has more storage. But the newer boat has less than 100 hrs. Decisions, decisions! Plus, today we saw a 1999 Reinell 230 for a few thousand dollars cheaper than the Four Winns boats we have our eyes on. It has a Volvo Penta 5.7GS with 250hp, but I don't think it's a duo-prop. We've only seen pictures so far of that one. We can't find alot of info on the quality of Reinell? Anyone know about these boats? Should we stick with choosing one of the Four Winns we're looking at?

 

[Silverbullet555]

Re: 5.7L V8 enough?

Thanks for the input! I really want the extra 2 ft and bigger motor, hubby wants newer 2 ft smaller boat with smaller motor. I like the layout of the bigger boat, and it has more storage. But the newer boat has less than 100 hrs. Decisions, decisions! Plus, today we saw a 1999 Reinell 230 for a few thousand dollars cheaper than the Four Winns boats we have our eyes on. It has a Volvo Penta 5.7GS with 250hp, but I don't think it's a duo-prop. We've only seen pictures so far of that one. We can't find alot of info on the quality of Reinell? Anyone know about these boats? Should we stick with choosing one of the Four Winns we're looking at?

Don't let the hours worry you. A boat that has been used and maintained is better than a boat that has not been used and not maintained. Let the condition of the boat dictate understanding that a boat with more hours will show more use. Layout becomes important and will be more important than the motor between these 2. Fuel Injection is also a prime thing to look for and if one is fuel injected, that would get a few points in my book.

Reinell is not on par with four winns. Different level of quality.