www.iFourWinns.com

First off I've been posting all over the place in here and appreciate all the info and advice! We've been looking at new boats, used boats, and tons of different kinds of boats. We're still trying to decide what kind of a boat will fit our needs, and exactly what our needs are! Anyway I'm trying to learn as much as I can about different size boats, motors, etc. How much difference in fuel consumption will there be between a 4.3 and a 5.7, is it dramatic? The boat will mainly be crusing along 20-30pmh and idling through the river. Maybe pull a tube around once and a while with our kids on too.
Also would a 4.6 be powerful enough in a 20ft cuddy boat? I talked to a guy with a 20' sea ray and a 4.6 and he claims it will run about 50mph top end (Guessing that's speedo so I'm assuming more like 45mph). It also seems like you'd be working a 4.3 pretty at 30mph compared to a 5.7 so I'm wondering if fuel consumption would be pretty close at that speed?

I had a 5.7 Gli in my 225 sundowner, it scooted along pretty good, top end on GPS was
44 mph, also the engines you are looking in to it makes a big difference if they are efi of carb. I personally would stick with an efi. Also In my opinion bigger is better, a 4.3 my be okay if it's a light load in a cuddy but once you load all your gear and your family in it you will wish you had more power. My current boat has a 5.0 and is a 248 vista, am happy with the power but it is not built for speed, need to use the trim tabs to get it out of the water when we have guests aboard

Mike

_________________
2001 328 Vista "Nauta Dream 2"
AB Inflatable 10AL "Little Dreamer"
2000 248 Vista
1997 225 Sundowner


Mike

I had a 5.7Gi/DP in my '04 225 Sundowner and loved it. 51MPH anyday on GPS. Same motor in my 268, you can tell its pushing a much bigger boat

_________________
2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

Thanks, I thought a 4.3 sounded pretty small for that size boat. We anticipate having no less than 4 people, and more like 6 to 10 at times when we go out. Kind of off topic but how would a 7.4 compare to a 5.7, both carbed in the same situation, just crusing around in say a 23' boat?

I just picked up a 25' Baja with a 7.4L MPI and went out today with 5 people and it didn't even notice the extra weight. My old boat had a 5.0L MPI and was a 20 FT FW Horizon and had plenty of power for what we used it for. All depneds on how fast you really want to go. Both my old boat and the new go about the same speed.

_________________
1998 Baja Boss 252 7.4L MPI Bravo 1 (SOLD)
2007 FW H200SS 5.0GXI (Sold)
2004 Chevy Silverado 2500 Crew 6.0L (tow vehicle)
1991 FW 170 Freedom 4.3L (SOLD)

If you go bigger than 24 feet, think hard about a big block.

Anything 20-24, try to go with at least a 5.0, if not a 5.7.

_________________

2008 318 Vista -SOLD, but I am still around!
All Night Long, Seattle WA

Is there ever enough HP? I love my 7.4 GSI and wouldn't trade it for the world. It's nice to have enough motor to properly propell my boat no matter what the load is or what I'm doing with it. When in doubt, go for the higher HP. It helps in resell too.

When I bought my 260, there was a 2 year newer 240 for sale for the same price. It had been sitting all year. Beautiful boat, but nobody wanted the small engine it offered. Way to much boat for the motor.

_________________
2001 Horizon 260 - 7.4 Volvo GSI DP