Looking at a Wellcraft 3700 Martinique

staciadog

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Jul 5, 2010
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I'm looking at a Wellcraft 3700 with twin 7.4 Horizons and wondering if it's going to be under powered for a family of four. Any opinions?
 

racerone

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Dec 28, 2013
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??-----The stature of 4 people won't matter much on a boat that size.----Full fuel tanks would weigh more I think.
 

staciadog

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Jul 5, 2010
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Not just targeting 4 people on board I understand the fuel, fresh/waste water ratio but how much a family of 4 packs for long weekends. I didn't know if I should pass and watch for one with 8.1 for the HP and mpg increase. We have a Regal 2760 with twin 4.3 and it's under power for us, not to mention we have just grown out of it but I didn't want to make the same mistake.
 

mr 88

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Nov 3, 2010
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If there straight inboard you will be underpowered, with or without people. I/Os and they may be ok. Ask the seller what cruising and wot speeds are and if in doubt take a sea trial if the boat checks off everything your looking for.
 

staciadog

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Jul 5, 2010
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Thanks for the response. It's V-drive. We will be doing a sea trial and I will be checking the rpms at cruising and WOT to Mercuiser specs but it will be dry so looking for thoughts. Really like the layout and have been watching for one this well maintained by one owner.
 

FunInDuhSun

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Apr 25, 2010
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481
One of my dock mates had a Martinique with 7.4’s and never complained to me about it being underpowered or sluggish. They moved to another marina 2 summers ago.
 

mr 88

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They do make different HP configurations with the 7.4 so that is a factor. Your fuel burn is pretty much 1.0 mpg at cruise and drops further if your right hand gets heavy on the controls. Have a 32 x 13 ( 15,000 lbs empty and 20,000 under normal operations) lwith Tower and 454s. Doesn't matter if I have 8 people or one person on board , burn and speed numbers are always the same. The 454s have massive torque which helps offset your weight concerns.
 

staciadog

Cadet
Joined
Jul 5, 2010
Messages
6
They do make different HP configurations with the 7.4 so that is a factor. Your fuel burn is pretty much 1.0 mpg at cruise and drops further if your right hand gets heavy on the controls. Have a 32 x 13 ( 15,000 lbs empty and 20,000 under normal operations) lwith Tower and 454s. Doesn't matter if I have 8 people or one person on board , burn and speed numbers are always the same. The 454s have massive torque which helps offset your weight concerns.
Thanks, that's good information. 7.4 Mercruiser Horizon 375 hp closed cooled is what we are looking at.
 
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