Looking to become a Q6 owner in the off season

[Im Lon 2]

Hi all,

First a little about how the boat will be used. This boat will be for cruising (not racing), maybe pulling a skier or two from time to time, kids really prefer tubing or knee boarding, and the main use of the boat is for relaxing. Carrying anywhere from 4 to 8 people (4 adults, 4 kids/teens).

I'm looking at a 2006 Q6 Sport, and a 2008 Q6 Sport, and had a few questions for all you Tahoe owners.

• 2008 is the 4.3 190 hp
• 2006 is the 4.3 MPI 220 hp

Both of these boats look like they have been well cared for. The 2008 has a few extra's (accessory port, depth finder/GPS) that the 2006 does not have, but for the most part they are pretty much the same. They also both come with matching trailers and are both priced about the same.

Is there much difference between the 190 hp and the 220 hp? Is one easier to maintain? I prefer the color of the 2008, along with the few extra's it does have, and the fact its 2 years newer.

Also when looking at these boats, what are some things I should be looking for that maybe common problems with Tahoe or the 4.3 if anything?

Has anyone added a 2nd battery? Is it easy to have a starter battery, and a house battery, or would I have to run everything off the original battery, and the 2nd battery just be there as a backup? Is there a kit, and how to instructions for adding 2nd battery?

What would be the correct smart tabs, for this model?

Any other suggestions, or thoughts are welcome too!


TIA
Lonnie

 

[spdracr39]

Re: Looking to become a Q6 owner in the off season

I prefer the MPI version 5.0 although I never had any trouble with my carb. version 5.0. The difference in the HP is negligible but more is always better.

8 people will be a crowd and skiing with 7 on board will be iffy at best. With 4 it should be no problem.

I haven't had any quality issues with either of my Tahoes but people will say the level of service at BPS is questionable. I have a regular dealer that I use and have not had any trouble at BPS the one time I used them.

Yes you can add a second battery and whatever type of auto or manual switch you like but it is not really necessary just extra piece of mind. I always just carried ( but never used) an extra battery and some jumper cables. I have recently wired and added a two battery manual switch so I can charge both batteries at once.

My 2001 Q7 and My 2008 Q7i both use the Nauticus 60 lb tabs, I think they called for 80lb.

I love my Tahoe and think it is a great value for the level of boat you get.

Good Luck and Welcome to the forum!!!!

 

[Im Lon 2]

Re: Looking to become a Q6 owner in the off season

What is the difference in the 4.3 mpi 220hp and the 5.0 carb 220 hp? Do you get more out of one being a V8?

I found the color I like, 2006 with the 5.0.

 

[AgentJ]

Re: Looking to become a Q6 owner in the off season

I prefer the 5.0 Carb. im old school so if anything needs to be done, I feel comfortable doing it myself. Just an engine block, starter , alternator and carb. 220 HP is 220 HP.

 

[BoatDrinksQ5]

Re: Looking to become a Q6 owner in the off season

Well i would imagine the 5.0 would be heavier and produce same HP... don't you get more torque or some such with the 5.0?

 

[Im Lon 2]

Re: Looking to become a Q6 owner in the off season

I'm curious what is the difference in gas usage is?

I know they sound better!! :joyous:

 

[theBrownskull]

Re: Looking to become a Q6 owner in the off season

My 4.3 carb in my old boat had plenty of power. My buddy has the 4.3 MPI in his current boat and it has more power. I would take either but it depends upon which boat is in better condition.

 

[spdracr39]

Re: Looking to become a Q6 owner in the off season

Yes slightly more torque in the v8 not sure if it is noticeable. If it were it would be while pulling a skier or tube. The Mpi allows better fuel burn so they can push more fuel into the engine and create more horsepower. The "mileage" difference is negligible I'm sure. I would venture to say less trouble from a mpi setup but harder to fix when there is and not as shade tree mechanic friendly. Both setups have pros and cons. I think we all agree it comes down to the overall condition and your preference for available options.

 

[Im Lon 2]

Re: Looking to become a Q6 owner in the off season

I got a little more info on the 5.0.

He said the only issue he has with the boat is that the oil pressure gauges keeps dropping (I have a question into him now asking what does he mean by dropping, falling all the way to zero, and when does it do this. I will let post back that info when he comes back with it)

My thought was one of two things.
1. Oil pressure sending unit,
2. loose/damaged wire going to the pressure gauge.

He said the only reason he knew of the issue is because he just happen to seen the gauge fall, and ever since then he watches it.

To me the boat looks to be in great shape (based off pictures), and cannot have more than 125-150 hours on it.

What's your thoughts, anyone else experience anything like this, i have tried to search but could not find much. Should I stay away completely.

I'm glad the guy brought it up, and didn't act like there was nothing wrong with it at all.

 

[spdracr39]

Re: Looking to become a Q6 owner in the off season

or a bad gauge.

 

[carey965]

Re: Looking to become a Q6 owner in the off season

i was just doing some reading on that era of the q6 and saw they are an all glass boat which is pretty awesome
personally i think the 08 with the 190 4.3 and then swap the intake and carb for a 4 barrel, you will have the power you want and the boat you want

thats what i plan on doing to my 4.3 in the spring

 

[Im Lon 2]

Re: Looking to become a Q6 owner in the off season

We will see how it goes there is a large price difference (lower) from the 2006 5.0 and the other two. I'm going to look at it next weekend weather permitting.

Its sitting in a heated garage, so he had not winterized yet.

 

[spdracr39]

Re: Looking to become a Q6 owner in the off season

Just me but a large price difference in a similar size and era boat with a more desirable engine package would make me a little more suspicious of the oil pressure fluctuation.

 

[Im Lon 2]

Re: Looking to become a Q6 owner in the off season

Yeah I thought about that too. I was hoping being in two different states 400 miles apart would make up some of the cost difference along with being 2 years older. My thought was the guy was honest about it, and brought it up in the first conversation..

I have talked to my local mechanic that will be doing most of work, he seemed pretty comfortable that if it was a true pressure issue, the gauge would not bounce, and if it did stay at zero and there was a true issue you would start hearing it tap/knock fairly quick.

I'm also taking someone with me that has owned mercruiser since the mid 80's, and had this exact engine for over 20 years, he always took really good care of his boats. That 83 Celebrity 5.0 he had looked like you pulled it off the showroom floor when he got rid of it in 2006.


Just out of curiosity what are some other area when looking at Tahoe's that I should be looking at. Are the transom, stringers, and Floor on the Tahoe's all Glass, or do I need to be looking for possible rotten spots in those areas as well?

Regardless of what boat I do end up buying I know I'm taking straight to the shop to have the oil changed in both the motor and the lower unit. Along with the Water pump in the lower unit. and of coarse winterized at this time of the year.

 

[Im Lon 2]

Re: Looking to become a Q6 owner in the off season

personally i think the 08 with the 190 4.3 and then swap the intake and carb for a 4 barrel, you will have the power you want and the boat you want

thats what i plan on doing to my 4.3 in the spring

What year is yours, and what intake, and carb do you plan on going with, if you have even thought it out this far? I have thought about this, and this maybe the direction I would be leaning toward (4.3 Carb), of course engine upgrades would come at a later time.

 

[PrinceValium]

Re: Looking to become a Q6 owner in the off season

Here is the biggest reason that I would want the MPI motor...and that is boating at altitude!! With a carb'd motor you would have to readjust for altitude and with the MPI you would not...it is done automatically. I have already owned a boat with carbs and it is a pain in the butt to have to adjust everything again....not to mention if you have one running a little different than another (rich or lean) your power output will suffer. You also don't have to worry about syncing carbs.

 

[Im Lon 2]

Re: Looking to become a Q6 owner in the off season

Had a chance to go look at the 2008 Q6 190 HP today
Had a few questions

1st There are a few thin cracks in what looks to just be clear coat by both front cleats. Is this normal? What is the cause? I have checked out around the boat did not see this anywhere else.



2nd the sheg had a gash taken out of it, and he had it filed down to where it is smooth. Will this cause an issue on performance? Can I just get a sheg gaurd and everything be fine?





These were the only 2 things I see that could be an issue, that I have not dealt with in the past

Couple other things.
Way to clean things up a little
Seat has yellow just a tad from life jackets left on the back of the seats



More cleaning needed on the the bottom side of the swim platform. What I a good cleaning product?


What is the best way to fix clasp under front cushion/cooler? Looks like it got knocked loose and stripped the threads

 

[carey965]

Re: Looking to become a Q6 owner in the off season

What year is yours, and what intake, and carb do you plan on going with, if you have even thought it out this far? I have thought about this, and this maybe the direction I would be leaning toward (4.3 Carb), of course engine upgrades would come at a later time.

Mine is a 98, but in reality it is the same motor, as far as the carb im not sure i believe if you got the 4 barrel version it was just a rochester, i was thinking about trying to find a good used one or just getting the holley, it all depends on the money situation at the time

as far as the pics go it looks good, just what they hell happened to the skeg to do that, i have not seen anything like that before, and from personal experience i can tell you the lower units can take a pretty good beating, i ripped my skeg clean off last summer and it was fine, now it cost me about 400 bucks to have a new one put on and cleaned up, but it looks brand new now

 

[Im Lon 2]

Re: Looking to become a Q6 owner in the off season

Wow you knocked it off. Did you have to replace te whole lower unit?

He said he must of kicked up a think branch, and it bent that area so he had it sanded down, and smoothed out by the shop.

He is running it to the shop to have a few thing worked on and I'm going to have them do an inspection on it while it's there.

 

[carey965]

Re: Looking to become a Q6 owner in the off season

nope actually the lower unit was fine, when it was in they went over it, i think they fixed a oil leak that was there before i bought it, but other then a new skeg and prop it was perfectly fine

here is what i did to mine