Chaparral 3.0 - Underpowered? HELP!

[mcgolfpro]

I am a complete noob to boating, my family and I have been looking at getting our first boat...Looking for a used 18-19 foot bowrider. We just wan't a good all around boat for pulling some tubes, maybe some wakebaording, maybe- but probably not skiing in the futire, cruising, and maybe some fishing. We have found 2 possibilities but I have some questions:

Option #1 is a 2003 Reinell 186 FNS with the Volvo 4.3, 30 hours on the motor, kicker motor included, mounts for the kicker, livewells in the rear etc. etc. in bristol condition, we like the option for the fishing, but it's not something we were looking for. First number on it is $14,000 - private seller.

Option #2 is a 2004 Chaparral 180ssi, we like it a little better than the Reinell - rated for one more passenger 8 vs. 7, interior seems a little nicer, trim lines a little higher brow, We have read that Chaparral is a nicer boat than reinell, but the downside is it has the Volvo 3.0, 100 hours. Overall the boat is in Great condition, just probably not as pristine as #1, First number $12,000. I have read multiple articles some say the 3.0 will perform just fine- especially for a starter boat, this boat IS light- weighs 2100 lbs others say it will never pull my 225lb butt out of the water for wakebarding or skiing!

I have a feeling I could get eithier boat at about $1000 less than the first number...

I need some advice- HELP!

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Chaparral 3.0 - Underpowered? HELP!

go with the V6.
you put 7 folks and a water skier or wakeboarder or worse a tube in a boat with a 3.0 and your not gonna like it.}
it will be way overpropped and underpowered for that load. the V6 wont be much better but remember as load changes sometimes the prop has to be changed as well.
a boat is simply not an all purpose machine that can do anything the operator wishes without making some changes.
kinda like why certain areas require snow chains on tires sometimes.

 

[CaptainYARRR]

Re: Chaparral 3.0 - Underpowered? HELP!

Always go for more power than you think you need or you'll be disappointed. Those prices seem a little on the high side too.

 

[45Auto]

Re: Chaparral 3.0 - Underpowered? HELP!

3.0L (140HP) is very marginal for a 18' - 19' boat.

You'll find that it's human nature to defend what you own. Lots of people with 3.0's will tell you that their's are great, will do 50 MPH and pull 6 or 7 225 lb skiers out of the water at once with ease.

I've been on these boards 7 or 8 years, I've NEVER seen anyone post that their V6 was too powerful, they wish they had the 3.0.

On the other hand, I've seen lots of posts from 3.0 owners wanting to know how they can get more power out of their motors or what magic prop they can buy.

I had a 2.5L (120HP) in a 16' boat. It was nice for cruising around, but very unimpressive for kids and watersports, especially with 3 or 4 people in it.

The prices you quoted seem pretty high, but I don't know what the market is like in your area. If you think a 3.0L might work for you, try something like this 2003 3.0L Bayliner that was on Craigslist here this morning. If it's not right for you, you could pretty easily re-sell it and move up without losing anything.

http://neworleans.craigslist.org/boa/1743419775.html

 

[brick75]

Re: Chaparral 3.0 - Underpowered? HELP!

I've heard of people saying that a 3.0 worked fine for them, but if you're interested in wakeboarding and you plan on having more than 1-2 other people in the boat while doing so, you're much better off having a V6. Chaparral is a better boat than Reinell, but Reinell's are solid boats too.

If you're not interested in the fishing aspect of that one, you might want to keep looking a bit. I rushed into my first boat purchase just because I wanted one so bad, and kind of regret it. I think I could have found one that was in better shape and met my needs a little more. Lot's of boats go up for sale every day. But yea, in my opinion, go for a V6.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Chaparral 3.0 - Underpowered? HELP!

It will be underpowered with the 3.0 4 cyl engine, if you intend to do any watersports with it.

 

[tawood]

Re: Chaparral 3.0 - Underpowered? HELP!

Ask the man who has one:

I've got a 3.0 on a 19' i/o....it has PLENTY of power for watersports! I slalom ski with 6 guys in the boat, no problem. The advise I got on here (from the guys with v8's), during the off season, convinced me into buying a 4 blade lower pitch prop for watersports....but I've never needed it.
I swear, if they made 19' boats with 750 hp v-12 engines, everyone would say, "If you want to pull wakeboards and skiers, you need the v-12".

 

[83Evinrude]

Re: Chaparral 3.0 - Underpowered? HELP!

+1 v6

 

[sierrak9s]

Re: Chaparral 3.0 - Underpowered? HELP!

The one nice thing about the 3.0 -- which is what I have -- is that it is very thrifty on gas. I haven't used more than a quarter-tank in a single outing yet. But I don't like going much faster than 30mph, either, so there's that.

 

[mcgolfpro]

Re: Chaparral 3.0 - Underpowered? HELP!

Yea I don't know if it's our area or what- Southeatern Washington State - right on the Columbia River, but it seems that 12-17k is the going rate for 5-7year old bowriders in good condition. I'm convinced that the 4.3 is the way to go for us. I also know that I SHOULD wait for the right boat for us but we all get itchy when we go down to the dock, and the temperatures skyrocket! We want a boat NOW! We'll keep looking though- anybody got a good idea of what offer on the 03 Reinell? At this point I dont think hes gonna budge much since hes only had it for sale a few days but i'll keep an eye on it - I was thinking of offering 12k?

Here it is: (same ad twice)

http://kpr.craigslist.org/boa/1735590467.html

http://kpr.craigslist.org/boa/1741753566.html

 

[shwoop_soobie]

Re: Chaparral 3.0 - Underpowered? HELP!

more power is always nice... i think its in guy dna...
remember though... more power=more gas...

i will say, if you plan on being out with a bunch of people and pulling water toys, you definitley want more power... we had 120hp in a 17ft bayliner and loaded with people it would barley come up on plane unless using a tiny prop... so towing any tubes was out of the question...

 

[jkust]

Re: Chaparral 3.0 - Underpowered? HELP!

The 180ssi is the sub-entry level Chaparral so is not on par with even the entry level 190ssi Chaparral. It is several hundred pounds lighter than the next model up. I wouldn't even consider the 3.0 if it was my only boat even if you gave me the boat for free and said I coundn't resell it. If you like the 180ssi, step up to the 190ssi or the 183ss (same boat) and really be wowed. Whatever you do, at the minimum the 4.3 is a decent package up to a say light 20 footer or heavy 19 footer. Also the Reinell looks nice.

 

[CarbonFiberFootprint]

Re: Chaparral 3.0 - Underpowered? HELP!

Ask the man who has one:

I've got a 3.0 on a 19' i/o....it has PLENTY of power for watersports! I slalom ski with 6 guys in the boat, no problem. The advise I got on here (from the guys with v8's), during the off season, convinced me into buying a 4 blade lower pitch prop for watersports....but I've never needed it.
I swear, if they made 19' boats with 750 hp v-12 engines, everyone would say, "If you want to pull wakeboards and skiers, you need the v-12".

That sounds perfect.

 

[90sunbird]

Re: Chaparral 3.0 - Underpowered? HELP!

always go for more power ive hade 4cyls 6cyl and 8 cyl i love watersports thay all the boats have worked for wakebording but to have a smooth pull out of the water i had to work the 4cyl and that was on a 17 ft open bow,, but the gasmilage was so good on the 4 cyl and i got to the boat to go 43 mph but it took a lot of work,, if you arent worried about gas(and you shouldnt if you are buyin a boat) go v6 or even better save for a v8 no 4cyl for me ever again and i had 3 in the past and liked them very much but the v8 blows them away the 4.3 is a very good running engine also!

 

[90sunbird]

Re: Chaparral 3.0 - Underpowered? HELP!

Ask the man who has one:

I've got a 3.0 on a 19' i/o....it has PLENTY of power for watersports! I slalom ski with 6 guys in the boat, no problem. The advise I got on here (from the guys with v8's), during the off season, convinced me into buying a 4 blade lower pitch prop for watersports....but I've never needed it.
I swear, if they made 19' boats with 750 hp v-12 engines, everyone would say, "If you want to pull wakeboards and skiers, you need the v-12".

hi, i am a fan of the 3.0 it is a wonderfull engine but i do perfer a v8, i have had several 3.0 and i have build one with hi performance parts cam, head work, ign upgrade, and much more dont get me wrong the boat ran very well and i borded off it but it wasnt a v8 and it strugled, 17 ft by the way. i am just wondering you ski single ski with a 19 ft and 6 guys on it?!! does it pull u up or do you kick your ski off after u get up and how fast do you go? what kind of boat is it and what prop do you run. have you only ran 4 cyls i was like you untill i got a 8 cyl and ill never look back but i am just intrested about your 4 cyl because i have done so much work to them in the past and i never had them run as u have

 

[JimS123]

Re: Chaparral 3.0 - Underpowered? HELP!

Today since we all have unlimited disposable income we should all buy the most powerful engine available.

When I was a kid we had a 25 HP Tower of Power. We changed props during the day depending upon what we wanted to do....i.e., a power prop and a speed prop. When our neighbor on the lake got a 35 HP Evinrude, we all knew our boat was underpowered. Since then all of us have been beating the Joneses.

I have owned a MCM 140 3.0 liter for 26 years and it does everything I want it to do. I can pull 2 skiiers. If I want more top end I'll change props. I had the option of a V-6 but declined. Glad I did. I laugh every time I go to the gas pump.

My son has a very similar hull with the V-6. Running his boat has confirmed my opinion.

Just my opinion.

 

[GXL205 Deke]

Re: Chaparral 3.0 - Underpowered? HELP!

I have never read so much angst in defending the unadulterated power of the 3.0 4 banger, LOL. There is an engine out there for everyone. I personally love my multipoint fuel injected gas sipping 270 hp V8. pulls anything I want to pull without work, and has really surprised me with its fuel efficiency. Bottom line get what makes you happy. If that 3.0, 4.3, or V8 is what you want and you love it more power to you. See you on the water, and don't feel a need to keep up with the Jones's.

 

[shout]

Re: Chaparral 3.0 - Underpowered? HELP!

I have a 3.0 in a 21' cuddy, I can pull one wake boarder, but only if I keep the passengers in the front of the boat. If my primary purpose was watersports, I would opt for the 4.3. The 3.0 is great for us, as we only ski a few times a year. It is great on gas, 3,000 RPM, approx 18 MPH and approx 5 gal/hour fuel burn

 

[CarbonFiberFootprint]

Re: Chaparral 3.0 - Underpowered? HELP!

Um, why? Is it what you wanted to hear?

"19' boats with 750 hp v-12 engines"

I'm just imaging an Italian v12 wail at 8000 rpm across the lake. That noise is exactly what I want to hear.

 

[nitrosteve]

Re: Chaparral 3.0 - Underpowered? HELP!

Im 285 and ski all day with three people in the boat with a 19 pitch prop with my 4 cylinder. But if I could go back in time I would have opted for a v-6 or v-8 just needs a little more ommff.....