Cost of Ownership for 4 cyl vrs 6 cyl

[FL~Boater]

We are looking at buying a boat. We have narrowed it down to a few models, all of which are 18-19 feet and have a Mercruiser I/O Engine with Mercruiser out drives.
I understand the basic pro and cons of 4 cylinder verses a 6 cylinder such as performance (6 cyl) and fuel economy (4 cyl). My question is how far apart is the cost of ownership (outside of fuel cost) of the 4 cylinder compared to the 6 cylinder? Are the scheduled services cheaper? Because there is typically more room in the engine bay of a 4cyl, does that keep labor cost down? Are things like the riser inspection cheaper? Stuff like that?
I realize I can (and will) call some local repair shops with these questions, however nothing beats the experiences of an owner. Hence the reasons for these forums, right?

Any thoughts, firsthand experience, opinions and otherwise are all appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[sethjon]

Re: Cost of Ownership for 4 cyl vrs 6 cyl

We are looking at buying a boat. We have narrowed it down to a few models, all of which are 18-19 feet and have a Mercruiser I/O Engine with Mercruiser out drives.
I understand the basic pro and cons of 4 cylinder verses a 6 cylinder such as performance (6 cyl) and fuel economy (4 cyl). My question is how far apart is the cost of ownership (outside of fuel cost) of the 4 cylinder compared to the 6 cylinder? Are the scheduled services cheaper? Because there is typically more room in the engine bay of a 4cyl, does that keep labor cost down? Are things like the riser inspection cheaper? Stuff like that?
I realize I can (and will) call some local repair shops with these questions, however nothing beats the experiences of an owner. Hence the reasons for these forums, right?

Any thoughts, firsthand experience, opinions and otherwise are all appreciated.

Thanks!

For the most part the service prices will be about the same. In the long run, I'd say get the 6. The reason is because with a 4 you will always be into the throttle. That translates into mor engine wear and possibly having more serious problems. The fuel is also not that far different.

 

[Brewman61]

Re: Cost of Ownership for 4 cyl vrs 6 cyl

I'd say the difference on the engine would be minimal. My 4.3L MPI takes 5.5 quarts of oil, maybe the 3.0L takes less? Not a significant factor, since both need oil and fuel filters. It might be that for some jobs, the 3.0 would require less labor, maybe sometimes more. Same with parts.
Call that a wash?
The drives would likely be the same from one engine to the next- if Mercury, alpha I Gen II, for instance, so no difference there. And servicing the drive is probably more likely than the engine, anyway. At least for me.
Maybe more service needed on a smaller engine if your demands for power are higher? Larger engine working less and all.........
Lots of variables.

More people complain about under powered boats than over powered. I don't think the fuel thing is all that much different, either- my engine seems pretty easy on fuel when I'm not into the throttle. And I have the oomph for pulling and heavier passenger loads.

That said, plenty are happy with the 3.0 in the 18' size.

 

[nlain]

Re: Cost of Ownership for 4 cyl vrs 6 cyl

Having owned a boat with the 4 cyl and now one with the v6, operating cost is not that much different. First boat was 17' current boat is 18.5', both carb engines, mpi engines have a little more power and may or may not be better on fuel. If it was me I would go for the v6 engine.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Cost of Ownership for 4 cyl vrs 6 cyl

if the difference in maint. and fuel costs between a 4 cyl. and a 6 cyl. is critical in your plan. maybe boating won't be your thing.

get the biggest engine ya can get. hardly no one ever wishes they had a smaller engine. they do however want to know how to mod up the 4 cyl. engines for more hp. which ain't happening, short of going to a bigger engine altogether. might as well start off right with the 6 cyl. engine.. it might delay getting the 2nd bigger boat by a year or two...

 

[JimS123]

Re: Cost of Ownership for 4 cyl vrs 6 cyl

Fuel costs, maintenance, insurance, etc. will be a wash. Yes, there are differences in fuel economy, but if you use the boat like a typical boater for the typical number of hours, the annual difference will only add up to a night out to dinner and a movie.

You mentioned cost of ownership, and now you have hit on the key. The V6 will cost a premium of $3000-$4000 if you buy new. A used boat with a V6 may be about $2000 higher.

So, you need to decide how fast you want to go and whether you intend to pull tandem skiiers ot multiple tubes. The L4 will do well in the size boat you are looking at if its propped right. A V6 will do it better, but not without added "cost of ownership".

 

[45Auto]

Re: Cost of Ownership for 4 cyl vrs 6 cyl

If you're buying used, you'll find that after a boat is a couple of years old then whether it's a 4 or 6 cylinder has very little influence on price.

As others have said, the difference in cost of ownership will be minimal.

It's a buyer's market, shop around, don't be in a hurry and you can (unfortunately) find some great deals from people who have lost their jobs and are desparate to get out of boating so they can still make a house or car note.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Cost of Ownership for 4 cyl vrs 6 cyl

First I would have to ask a question.
Are you a Fresh water boater or a Saltwater boater?

Fresh Water then I agree with all above especially if the V6 is fuel injected.

Saltwater boater then unless you really want more power then I would get the 4 cylinder.

I have a 1980 4 cylinder on a 21 foot Aluminum and spend 50 percent of my time in saltwater.

Sooner or later your going to have to replace the manifolds and risers and if you do not catch them early then a head and valve repair as well. When the manifold rust thru Saltwater leaks back into the valves on the head and they do not like salt water.

The Block you can get Fresh water cooling to keep salt water out but the manifolds and riser I have not found anything that will protect them except making sure to flush with fresh water after every saltwater trip.

Manifolds and Riser has been the most expensive repair on my boat. I do my own repairs so the labor was free but Part were a lot more than I expected. V6 or V8 have a manifold and riser on both sides so twice the cost of the 4 cylinder.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Cost of Ownership for 4 cyl vrs 6 cyl

V-engines require two manifolds and two risers at replacement time. The rest of the maintenance cost differences are not worth discussing.

 

[rwidman]

Re: Cost of Ownership for 4 cyl vrs 6 cyl

Some folks will tell you that you need the biggest engine that will fit in the boat. Some people looking to buy your boat a few years down the road will feel that way also. Others won't. If you trade it in at a dealership it won't matter.

I had an 18' bow rider (Stingray) with a 4 cylinder Mercruiser and it would go over 50 MPH. I don't hink the bigger engine would have made a difference of more than another 3-5 MPH.

I only went that fast once just to see how fast it would go. The boat did everything I wanted it to do with the 4 cylinder engine. "Fast" is overrated.

Check with local shops for service costs, consider the increased up front cost of the larger engine, then make your decision.

BTW: You won't find a lot of 18' -19' boats with closed cooling systems. They add too much to the cost for a boat in this size and price range.

 

[fossill]

Re: Cost of Ownership for 4 cyl vrs 6 cyl

If I was in the market again I'd get a 19' over the 18' model and if at all possible one with a 5.7L engine. Way roomier ( 18 footer too tight with full people and gear)and lots more power and torque for water sports. The 4.3L is ok but after you run a 5.7L you realize how much throttle you got in it when pulling tubers or boarders, especially in turns. My buddies 5.7L actually uses the same amount of gas as my 4.3L when using it for watersports.

 

[45Auto]

Re: Cost of Ownership for 4 cyl vrs 6 cyl

V6 or V8 have a manifold and riser on both sides so twice the cost of the 4 cylinder.

V-engines require two manifolds and two risers at replacement time. The rest of the maintenance cost differences are not worth discussing.

Hopefully you're aware that a 3.0L exhaust manifold is integral with the intake manifold? In other words, it's a lot more expensive than just an exhaust manifold.

A 4 cylinder exhaust/intake manifold will run you in the neighborhood of $300. A riser will be $100, total is about $400.

You can get a complete V6 or V8 exhaust replacement set (both manifolds, both risers, all gaskets, etc) for under $500.

So you're looking at $100 difference once every 10 years or so.

The boat did everything I wanted it to do with the 4 cylinder engine. "Fast" is overrated.

Good point. The enjoyable part of a bigger engine is the low end performance. Same reason many people like a big torquey V8 in a car in preference to a faster (top speed) but much slower accelerating 4 cylinder.

I've never done a top speed run on my boat, just like I've never done a top speed run on my cars. Don't see much point in holding it for a prolonged time above 4500 RPM. I take the boat up to about 4400-4500 RPM (low 60 MPH range) once or twice a year just to verify that everything is working right. Other than that I'm below 40 MPH cruising, kneeboarding, tubing, wakeboarding, etc. But that instantaneous response of the big V8 between 0 and 40 (no matter what you're doing or how many people are in the boat - multiple tubes, kneeboards, etc) puts a big smile on everyone's face!

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Cost of Ownership for 4 cyl vrs 6 cyl

Ignoring fuel, the cost difference for maintenance is two spark plugs (4 vs 6) and whatever the oil capacity difference is. Drive maintenance will likely be the same or nearly the same. So in the grand scheme of things, it doesn't matter which engine you have unless you blow it up.