Re: Doh! I could have had a V8
Here's my two cents. I have an 18 footer powered by 190hp 4.3 liter v6 but it is the heaviest 18 foot bowrider you will likely ever find. 3000lbs dry plus 33 gallons of fuel, gear, people and it is really heavy (heavier if it had a v8). Most 18 footers are substantially lighter with that engine. The optional power for my boat was a 220hp 6 cylinder or a 270hp v8 which I would love to have. That said, I'm not a prop guy and have a basic 21 pitch aluminum. Power-wise I am actually surpised how well the v6pushes the heavy boat loaded up. It will pull up a 200lb deep water slalomer ok with 5 onboard but you can feel the need for a 19 inch prop when you do. I'm a skilled skier and a lesser deepwater slalom starter would likely fall sideways. Do I wish I had the v8, yes I do. I could improve with a better, lower pitched prop. Think about it like this, the difference between my boat and most 18 footers is a couple of 200 pound guys plus the weight of the 10 or so extra gallons in the larger gas tank. The mere fact I can gps at 51.8mph is amazing with a tiny 6 cylinder with that much boat. I'm a realist and don't drink the 3.0 koolaid and so suggest you get a v8 for more appealing, all day performance. My 51.8 is with the wind, alone, with little gas. Summarizing then the carb 4.3 is a bit more than adequate, even in heavy applications but the v8 will likely not have any week spots (don't need the wind, etc). I searched high and low and but couldn't find my boat with any of the optional engines at the time. I'd have gladly paid a few thousand more for a 5.0mpi v8. I bought in a harder market when everyone had the wealth effect and now, I see optioned up nearly new, boats all the time.