I/O best engine size

[micojj]

I am looking at buying a boat (first time boater). All I am really interested in is something for tubing and skiing. I'm looking at a couple of boats. One is an 18' and has the 4.3 which would be a nice size motor. The other is a 17' and in much nicer shape but has a 125hp 3L. Will the smaller motor be enough for skiing or pulling a couple of tubers?

 

[tommays]

Re: I/O best engine size

I have owned a 19' 3.0 powered boat for 12 years and it meets my needs which is to pull a tube once in a while and travel around with my wife without spending a LOT on fuel

As soon as you take 6 people on a trip across the lake or want to pull a skier you will find the 4 cylinder motor does NOT cut it

It will take forever to get on plane fully loaded unless you run a small prop that limits your speed to around 30 MPH WOT

Tommays

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: I/O best engine size

More than 4 cylinders for ski-ing / tubing a couple of folk, that is unless you go outboard.

 

[Liquid_force]

Re: I/O best engine size

I've been around a few v8's and a lot of 4.3's. Only 2nd hand experience with 4's.

I firmly believe the 4.3's are the best of both worlds in the 17-20' range.
Even in a ~20' boat they're plenty powerful, fast, and still good on fuel. I personally went from a 115hp Evinrude OB on at 16' boat to a 175hp OMC I/O in a 19.5' and didn't notice much of a change in fuel usage. Plus, a lot of the newer 4.3's (mine's an '89) are 190-210hp.

I'm sure the 4 cyl's are great for light load cruising, pulling skiers on 2 skis, a tube, a wakeboard, but slalom skiing would be tricky, and I would expect trying to do anything with much of a load in the boat would be sluggish.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: I/O best engine size

Friend of mine has a 4 cylinder I/O on his 19ft Bayliner. We were both out today with 5 people aboard each. He now has vowed that he will be upgrading next season after watching us disappear all afternoon. (we slowed down though for him after we lost sight of him)

 

[KM2]

Re: I/O best engine size

If you are looking in the used market you will find a lot of 4 cylinder boats for sale cheap because people buy them and then learn they really need something bigger.

18 -19' boat get the 4.3 motor (Fuel injected if possible, 225hp)
20" get the 5.0 or 5.7


I have a 18' with the 190 hp 4.3 and had to get a lower pitch 4 blade prop to get the skiing/tubing performance with a couple of people in the boat.

 

[JasonB]

Re: I/O best engine size

I'm a more is better kind of guy, within reason. While I don't ski, I do have a 240lb friend that does. I used to pull him around with my 16' tri-hull with an 85hp V4 Johnson and 3 adults in the boat. Doable on 2 skiis ok. Could pull a 175lb fellow up on a slim slalom with 3 adults in the boat, but nearly drowned him doing it.

New tow boat is a 19' with a 5.0 V8. No comparison. First time I pulled the 240lb guy, I thought I was going to pull his arms off or make him face plant. In a 18', I would definetly look for a 4.3. Anything bigger, the v6 would likely be sufficient, but the torque of the 8 is nice.

 

[micojj]

Re: I/O best engine size

Thanks for the info. I have found a lot of 3.0s for sale. Not so many 4.3s. We did finally buy (I couldn't pass it up) a 99 17' Glastron with a 4.3 in it. I think I got a good deal. Now, being a first timer, I haven't quite got the hang of starting this thing. Took it out on the maiden voyage and I think I flooded it. I'll have to practice this in the driveway a little before I try again, if I can ever get it started again!
Thanks for all the advice.