What motor, for a Chaparral 204?

[brewer13]

I am going to buy a new 2005 Chaparral 204 ssi. I found one I really like and it has a 4.3 mpi. Would this boat be underpowered in your opinion? What would the difference be in performance and gas mileage with a 5.0 mpi? Thanks for the help.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: What motor, for a Chaparral 204?

The 4.3 will probably do the job, but I'd go for the V-8. Naturally it'll suck more gas. Or maybe not. Say you're comfortable cruising along in the 40's. That 4.3 is going to be full throttle all the time. With the V-8 you'll have less throttle to keep that same speed. That might save you some mileage. But if it's Full Throttle all the time no matter what size the motor, it'll obviously suck more.

 

[garycinn]

Re: What motor, for a Chaparral 204?

At 3400 lbs dry, I would really look to the 5.0 MPI for that boat. With the 4.3L MPI and 220 hp, you are looking at a 15.5 weight to hp ratio.<br /><br />I have the 210HP 4.3L EFI (TBI) and 2750 dry boat which gives me a 13 ratio and I want more power. Resale is going to be lower with the 4.3L. Will it do an adequate job? Yeah. Will you want more? Yes.

 

[KCook]

Re: What motor, for a Chaparral 204?

I'm just surprised that Chap rates that model for 320 hp!<br /><br />Kelly Cook

 

[RatFish]

Re: What motor, for a Chaparral 204?

IMHO, I would get the boat with at least a V8. In the same boat, a carbureted 5.0 will most likely cost less than a 4.3 MPI, same horsepower (Mercruiser), more torque with the V8. In most cases, I would opt for a larger displacement engine for horsepower and torque gains. If your cash situation allows, add MPI but always go for displacement first. Just my 2 cents.

 

[NYMINUTE]

Re: What motor, for a Chaparral 204?

I would go w/ 5.0 EFI. It won't be overpowered if you throttle down, the 4.3 is close to underpowered as it can get for that size.

 

[mercrewser]

Re: What motor, for a Chaparral 204?

Father in law has a 98 Chap 205 with 205 hp 4.3. Does 50mph. Planes in an instant with a vented propeller. I didnt believe it either until I rode on it, with my GPS. The boat moves and burns little fuel. I would definetly go with 4.3. Ive had a few boats in my time and usually would recommend going with the biggest engine but his set up would suit me just fine. We tend to cruise with the boat heavily loaded (8 people). It swings a 23" vented stainless propeller at 4500 rpm through a 1.98 to 1 reduction. Cant imagine 320 hp in this boat, it would really move. His boat weighs 2650 lbs.

 

[seabuddy7]

Re: What motor, for a Chaparral 204?

Top speed will be the same if the same Hp rating in almost all cases. <br /><br />Where the V-8 will shine is in its hole shot (0-30 mph) acceleration. The V-8 will roughly 15% faster.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: What motor, for a Chaparral 204?

Mercrewser wrote:<br /><br />"Father in law has a 98 Chap 205 with 205 hp 4.3." <br /><br />Okay, but is that the SS or SSI series boat, or the LE series as they used to call them? The reason i ask, is because the LE series boats were much lighter than the SS and now SSI series boats.<br /><br />"I'm just surprised that Chap rates that model for 320 hp!<br /><br />Kelly Cook "<br /><br />Their website says 300hp.<br /><br />bigslick: if your two choices are 4.3mpi or 5.0mpi, I'd go for the 5.0mpi.<br />If money is no object, get the 350mag @ 300hp, that's the max, and you know it won't be underpowered then!

 

[mercrewser]

Re: What motor, for a Chaparral 204?

Its the LE series, and its very light. 2650lbs. dry.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: What motor, for a Chaparral 204?

Thanks crewser. Yeah, hard to compare that boat with the one he is asking about.