Engine Choice

[BobRae99]

I will take the 380 side. I have a 18 R7 Surf and have loaded it up with more people and lots of ice chests full of beverages than most and the 380 has performed well from surfing to tubing, to wakeboarding, to loading up and cruising across the lake to our favorite beach to meet friends. I am thinking about ordering a R8 surf this fall and I will have no reservations with ordering the 380 again and saving the 10k to spend on other fun items. Just my .02. In fact my R7 Surf loves the load and it makes the wakes so much better when we are fully loaded vs only having 5-6 in the boat.

Keep in mind the R8 is about 1,000 lbs heavier than your R7 and may also carry more ballast. But, by the time you are ready to buy, your dealer should have a unit in stock with a 380 to test. It’s interesting that the demo video boat is equipped with a 430.

The demo boat is also a boat you can't get packaged with. Um Merc B4. BB. Enough said.
It may be heavier but they took away the deadrise. So it's all good.

What about the profile of the vee moving forward from the deadrise at the stern. What changes did they make to that. Does it have a deeper running profile? How about the length of the extended running surface; any changes that might affect the amount of power needed to get (and stay) on plane?

[lespaulrob]

My dealer did a test ride on the R6 and R8 Surf models and told me that they would run 46mph with the ballasts full on the 380HP motors. Maybe a little more with the 430, but that was enough for me to stick with the 380.

[2018R7Surf]

I'm trying to pick between the 380hp and the 430hp for an R8Surf. Would like the extra horsepower but heard the 430 is noticeably louder which is not preferred. Does anyone have perspective on the decision between the 2 engines?

I ordered the 430. Had a 18 r7 surf and was very happy with the 380. I felt like I was spending so much on the new boat, With the extra weight, I just spent the extra $.

[Soonerfan]

I'm trying to pick between the 380hp and the 430hp for an R8Surf. Would like the extra horsepower but heard the 430 is noticeably louder which is not preferred. Does anyone have perspective on the decision between the 2 engines?

I ordered the 430. Had a 18 r7 surf and was very happy with the 380. I felt like I was spending so much on the new boat, With the extra weight, I just spent the extra $.

Ha, same as me. As I previously mentioned the 380 did every thing I needed it to do in my 18 R7S but I went ahead and bit the bullet and went with the 430 on my 22 R8S as well. Hopefully, I can give my observations early next spring!