Perfect Horsepower

[rrfisher]

This is directed more towards the 19'-23' crowd, but you 30' guys are more than welcome to chime in.

I run a 21' boat with the 5.0 Gi and have only once wished I had more horsepower. I had 8 in the boat and was trying to pull up a 190 lb guy on a slalom and just didn't have enough juice to get it. He switched to a wake board and we went about our day. I see some set ups where guys have a 495/6 whatever it is in a 22'-23' boat and was wondering what does something like that get you?

Mind you, this is my first i/o and the majority of my boating has been outboards so I am naive.

My holeshot seems fine and I can top out around 52-53, so what would a 5.7 or GXi, in my case, get me that I don't already have?

[NautiGirl]

Did you just ask if you should have more hp? What is the world coming to? The answer is always yes lol.

Our 222 which falls into the top end of your length range, has the 6.2 which was an upgrade from the 5.7 back in the day. I am glad we have the extra cubic inches. With our hull I doubt the engine size makes much difference on the top end, but it is perfect for situations like you just described where torque is king. Quicker to plane, cruises at a lower RPM for a given speed, and really doesn't use that much more fuel as compared to a smaller V8. Oh and a 5.7 can't sound as good /w the captains call turned on lol.

I wouldn't go to the trouble of doing an engine swap, but I do think our next boat will also have the larger engine option.

[Bobo87]

You have peek my interest in this thread for I have a 212 with a 5.0 GXi and find similar results with a packed boat. I knew this when I boaught the boat but everything else was pristine and the price was too goood to pass up. Originally I figured I just upgrade in a few years when the kids get older but now am considering a motor upgrade perhaps in the off Sean in a year or two

[rrfisher]

Yea, I need to turn my man card in for sure. I'm just getting some input because in the next season or 2 I will be up-sizing to a 22'-24' boat and the bigger the engine the poorer I am.

90% of the time it is just my family of 4 with maybe a couple of my son's 10 yo friends as I really don't want anyone on else the boat, they just get in the way.

[liquid]

You'll never be upset with too much engine

[tsouthard91]

I agree with these guys. The more motor, the better.

My current boat (which I am in the process of selling) is a '99 232 (23' 2") with a 454.

It cruises effortlessly at 40mph only turning 2800RPMS. Its awesome. Surprisingly easy on gas.

I have pulled 2 slalom skiers at the same time with 6 people in the boat plus a full tank of gas.

And the mid range power is where you really feel the difference. If I am cruising at 35-40 and put it down, GET OUT OF THE WAY. It picks up speed like nobodys business.

Would I repower? Maybe. Depends on how much you wanna spend.

Personally, I would sell and find something with more motor.

And yes, the big block sounds epic at WOT with the captains call screaming AMERICAAAAAAAAA

[AsLan7]

I agree with Liquid, although. I'll re-phrase just slightly....You'll never be upset with too much horsepower.

[cmattj]

Torque is the key but may I suggest since you have maybe a single sx outdrive.. Change the prop down in pitch for those times you over invited everyone to go boating, skiing, tubing etc.

Ever wonder why a mastercraft 21 with a ilmor 430 hp engine only goes 45mph .All prop

Just have smaller spare. One minute swap and if you ding your primary prop you'll have a spare.

I'm a Big Block guy but with 300 lbs in weight heavier than a 6.2 I'm starting to understand the reason. Torque still stays with cubic inches

[Silverbullet555]

The answer to "how much horsepower should I have, how many guns is enough, and how much ammo should I stockpile is always.....

N+1. Where n is what you have.

[Bfun220]

Torque is the key but may I suggest since you have maybe a single sx outdrive.. Change the prop down in pitch for those times you over invited everyone to go boating, skiing, tubing etc.

Just have smaller spare. One minute swap and if you ding your primary prop you'll have a spare.

+1

[AsLan7]

Torque is the key but may I suggest since you have maybe a single sx outdrive.. Change the prop down in pitch for those times you over invited everyone to go boating, skiing, tubing etc.

Ever wonder why a mastercraft 21 with a ilmor 430 hp engine only goes 45mph .All prop

Just have smaller spare. One minute swap and if you ding your primary prop you'll have a spare.

I'm a Big Block guy but with 300 lbs in weight heavier than a 6.2 I'm starting to understand the reason. Torque still stays with cubic inches

Great point Matt....rephrased again--horsepower & torque.

[Big Block Power]

I'm going against the grain here and wish I had less. 4.3 or a 130 would be my go to choice now.
Gxi vs Gi 50 hp 2 mph. Yep I rather have a Gi too.


Nauti your me hero. Lol

[AsLan7]

I'm going against the grain here and wish I had less. 4.3 or a 130 would be my go to choice now.
Gxi vs Gi 50 hp 2 mph. Yep I rather have a Gi too.


Nauti your me hero. Lol

Your new moniker will be bigblocklesspower.

[Big Block Power]

I'm going against the grain here and wish I had less. 4.3 or a 130 would be my go to choice now.
Gxi vs Gi 50 hp 2 mph. Yep I rather have a Gi too.


Nauti your me hero. Lol

Your new moniker will be bigblocklesspower.

Exactly. I'm with the Nauti's on this thread.
But really hp depends on the use of the boat.
He answered his question before he was done.
Matt hit it on the head. Change your prop.
My 200 with a 350 mag couldn't pull 1 person in our group up wakeboarding. I always thought it needed to go down a pitch top start with.

[AsLan7]

I'm going against the grain here and wish I had less. 4.3 or a 130 would be my go to choice now.
Gxi vs Gi 50 hp 2 mph. Yep I rather have a Gi too.


Nauti your me hero. Lol

Your new moniker will be bigblocklesspower.

Exactly. I'm with the Nauti's on this thread.
But really hp depends on the use of the boat.
He answered his question before he was done.
Matt hit it on the head. Change your prop.
My 200 with a 350 mag couldn't pull 1 person in our group up wakeboarding. I always thought it needed to go down a pitch top start with.

...& that's what makes the world go 'round bblp.

For me, default is largest HP/torque option available when purchasing. I've never had to wish for more. Props come next.
.