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I am looking at the R5's without surf, and prefer a Merc Big Block. I don't want to order a boat I want to find a 2018. I have located a handful of boats with the 380 and one with a 430. I prefer the 430 if the options are correct for my family. However, realizing there are not a lot of 430's built...based on what I can find online. Will buy a 380 but need more info. For you owners with the 380 and 430, can you share your top speed, and at what RPM, and your cruising speed at what RPM? Yes I am a gear head and love big block power!

Well the only diff is computer programming. Ouch did I just say that Tuscany. Lol I think there is about a 2mph diff. They both perform very well. Most opt for the 380 because of cost and not really gaining much anywhere else. Drive both and see what the seat of your pants feels. What's your final cost diff. Still never heard anyone say I wish i had a smaller one. Lol
Get the 430 so we have more options in 5-10 years to buy.
Oh welcome from Wisconsin and post pictures when you purchase it.

Thanks for the reply. I am a bad seller so you probably will not see it for sale in at least 15 years!!! LOL. The boat I own now I bought new and it is a 2005.
BTW, what is the secret to get into the computer and just reprogram the 380 for more HP?

That's the $64 question. VP is locked, but Merc may have a program that will reflash the program.

Neither is a big block. You'll be getting a 6.2 configured to a 430 hp or detuned to a 380. The biggest difference is the cost of the "upgrade". They will rape you for that flash.

A month or so ago I was on Table Rock Lake with a couple of other members. One has a 2016 R7 with the 380 motor. I have a 262 with a 420 hp 502. He walked off and left me out of the hole. Bigtime.

I could catch him easy enough in the middle and probably outrun him on the top, but that's not where we typically use our boats. These things are luxury bow riders, not race boats!

Seriously, we run about the same on top more than likely. I've touched 60 a couple of times in the right conditions, but usually it'll hit about 55/58 and a 380 hp is going to run around 52/57, depending on all the factors. It's the bottom end and hole shot that makes the huge difference.

Welcome from Oklahoma and show us some pics of your new ride or it never happened!

Haha BB.

The difference will be 3-4 MPH f5 vs. f6 prop. 380 will have a better hole shot and time to plane. The 430 will have more speed.
The 50 horse, 12k bang for the buck difference would be up to the owner to decide.

Bottom line? With a single engine small boat like an R5, it’s ALL about weight ratio, and there is a 370 lb difference between the VP and Merc BB. Side by side, you can visually see the VP sit higher in the water. Weight difference... That’s where you will gain your overall performance and efficiency....it’ll be like tossing a couple YTs overboard..

As a disclaimer, if I were to buy a heavy 35’ twin engine boat where engine weight ratios weren’t so glaring in total weight, I would probably lean towards a set of big blocks.

Tuscany,
That is good info about the weight difference between the two engines, BB and SB. I have looked in vain for a chart showing me the torque curves for both the SB VP and BB Merc. Can't find it. I agree that the holes shot is important and clearly cruise speed is. That is why I want to see a torque chart. Would like to see at what RPM the two engine are making good usable torque. I don't want a SB winding up to push the boat to cruise if a BB can lope along at lower RPM. Likely not the case but again would like to see the chart, if one exists. Regarding top end, the lake that I have a home on is large enough to stretch the legs of most boats. So I do like to run WOT at times. Again thanks for the info.

Tuscany wrote: Sun Jul 22, 2018 9:13 am Haha BB.

The difference will be 3-4 MPH f5 vs. f6 prop. 380 will have a better hole shot and time to plane. The 430 will have more speed.
The 50 horse, 12k bang for the buck difference would be up to the owner to decide.

Bottom line? With a single engine small boat like an R5, it’s ALL about weight ratio, and there is a 370 lb difference between the VP and Merc BB. Side by side, you can visually see the VP sit higher in the water. Weight difference... That’s where you will gain your overall performance and efficiency....it’ll be like tossing a couple YTs overboard..

As a disclaimer, if I were to buy a heavy 35’ twin engine boat where engine weight ratios weren’t so glaring in total weight, I would probably lean towards a set of big blocks.

Where did you find that the Merc weighs 370 pounds more than the VP? From my research online I found that the Merc with Bravo 3 outdrive weighs 194 pounds more than the VP with outdrive. I compared both 380 HP models. This makes sense to me based on my knowledge of BB and SB Chevrolet engines.

These motors were discussed quite a bit in this thread. Hopefully it'll help some.

viewtopic.php?f=44&t=367

Correction, 315 lbs less.
Considering the aluminum block gen 5 6.2 uses.
http://www.boatingworld.com/engines/dow ... -upgraded/
Closed cooling and ez drain winterizer is a plus.

Hey, you can't really go wrong with either. I love the 6.2l power. It will out perform the 8.2, but it sounds like a wound up small block at cruising speeds.
I'm NOT a fan of the amount of RPM it uses. The sound is loud and the RPM is somewhat annoying.

Give me the same tech updates in a lower RPM big block, and I'm there, but not with today's Merc BB.

I just got back from Vacation with my 18 R5. It is equipped with the VP 380hp. I have run about 52mph top end, but found I cruised across Lake Huron from Cedarville MI to Mackinaw Island at 4500rpm and 38mph. That was loaded with 5 adults and 3 kids, full of fuel as well. I loved the handling and cruise of the boat on the big water.

LJLakeYlee wrote: Sun Jul 22, 2018 11:40 am Tuscany,
That is good info about the weight difference between the two engines, BB and SB. I have looked in vain for a chart showing me the torque curves for both the SB VP and BB Merc. Can't find it. I agree that the holes shot is important and clearly cruise speed is. That is why I want to see a torque chart. Would like to see at what RPM the two engine are making good usable torque. I don't want a SB winding up to push the boat to cruise if a BB can lope along at lower RPM. Likely not the case but again would like to see the chart, if one exists. Regarding top end, the lake that I have a home on is large enough to stretch the legs of most boats. So I do like to run WOT at times. Again thanks for the info.

Welcome LJLYl ...from South AL! Iha dseen this chart, maybe from VP. So keep looking . 52mph pretty much max on my 380 but loaded with whatever. Never ran it on lake smooth windless day with no load. BB is right, No one ever said they wanted a smaller motor but if you use a boat, uh I mean motor, like I do then gph comes into play. I like lots of power and lots of gph. Can’t have both. About 6000 rpm max after she winds out. Generally cruise around 3200 rpm.

My 2018 R5 Surf with the 380 VP does about 49 mph.

Who will purchase the Vovlo 430 hp ECU and fuel pressure sensor?? Since those seem to be the only part number changes for the 6.2.

2k investment? Someone.... somewhere is going to take the bullet. Then if 50 hp later prevails it’s prop shopping for 1k.

Is a $3,000 investment for 4-5 mph in cruise speed and top end going to be worth it? Not bad if it works out. I’m sure it will happen soon

Hmmm, maybe we might consider someone trying it the other way around Matt. Prop it with a F6 first and see whatcha got.
My boat has the F5 prop, but easily hits redline and lights up the tach in red, to where I really can’t run it WOT without watching RPM. I’m probably a good candidate but I’m not a needle watcher, and I can plane it fully loaded in a snap, so I’m happy with what I got. Maybe someone else?
Anyone else with an F5 constantly hitting redline?

cmattj wrote: Thu Jul 26, 2018 6:55 am Who will purchase the Vovlo 430 hp ECU and fuel pressure sensor?? Since those seem to be the only part number changes for the 6.2.

2k investment? Someone.... somewhere is going to take the bullet. Then if 50 hp later prevails it’s prop shopping for 1k.

Is a $3,000 investment for 4-5 mph in cruise speed and top end going to be worth it? Not bad if it works out. I’m sure it will happen soon

Are you guys sure that the cams aren't different?