350 Mag/Horizon B3 enough for '06 260?

ultratiger89 said:
I have a 2003 with the 350 mag. It has enough power, planes out fine, even full of fuel and water, 3 - 4 passengers. Gets good fuel mileage too.

Here are the test results for each power plant. The 350 results are from 2001 - 2004 models, the 496 from 2005 models. The additional weight as someone mentioned in 2005 and above models is evident.

496results.jpg


350results.jpg
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Let me make sure I am reading this chart correctly.
According to the top chart, when they are going 43.8 MPG the are also going 31.2 knots.
Must be that new math.
 
yeh, I edited my post, the top Knot reading on the 496 is the same as the GPH reading. I got this from boattest.com
 
That 3500 RPM number is pretty close to what I get, except that I see about 28-29 MPH. The 13.6 GPH is exactly what I get at 3500, though. I'm not so sure about that 25GPH number at 4500. I've had mine to 4700 before, and I don't remember seeing any GPH numbers higher than 23 on Smartcraft. Guess I'll have to try that this weekend.
 
I'm very happy with the 350 Mag in my 07'

Even with the Gen, full gas and 8 people, I was able to reach 43 MPH.

Normally I cruise at around 29 MPH at 4100 RPM's at which I'm around 1.6 - 1.7 MPG.

We use it strickly as an overnighter so it's VERY loaded with plates, dishes, BBQ, everything you'd put in a motorhome and the 350 Mag pushes it just fine.

With just my wife and I we don't need the trim tabs at all. I have placed two large box anchors in the bow locker which helps us plane out. We do trailer it however, so the hull is clean and probably makes a difference. it's also bottom painted.
 
Scotto97 said:
I'm very happy with the 350 Mag in my 07'

Even with the Gen, full gas and 8 people, I was able to reach 43 MPH.
Click to expand...

are you measuring speed with a GPS or the analog gauge? My '03 speed numbers are right on par with the magazines test, using my GPS. I find it hard to believe your boat would be 5 MPH faster on top end vs. mine and on par with the 496 with the same hull design and weight as the '05 model with the 496.
 
thanks to all for the feedback..............probably going to roll with the 350MAG based on my application and the endorsement of those who have one.....

Best,

Pete
 
petern said:
thanks to all for the feedback..............probably going to roll with the 350MAG based on my application and the endorsement of those who have one.....

Best,

Pete
Click to expand...

Just to be sure, why don't you take it for a ride? Take with you (to the test ride) the number of people that would normally be on your boat.

There have been lot's of good comments in this thread - both for and against a particular engine size. But, ultimately, it's your money.
 
I spent a lot of time looking at boat test.com results.
The 26' Sea Ray was the only test I had seen with poor performance numbers In 26 ft boats weighing near 7K.
Every other boat had low to high 2 mpg with the 8.1Mag
So the test was bogus, or the newer model 26' DA really suck :huh: Personally, I think both.

From the test results on Boat test. My worn out water ingested 5.7 carbed 260 hp overproped Alpha 1 performs as good as the 496ci.
I just tested my performance last week. 22kts at 3500RPM burning 13.5 GPH

Another thing, MFG's are pushing the Small block engines.
One comparison test I read 320HP Volvo/ 6.2 Merc and the 8.1 Merc.
Testers Gave the smallblocks a 2.2 ratio outdrive. Helping the TQ output to the prop. The 496ci had the 1.8 ratio.And testers admitted they underproped the 496ci
The smallblocks RPMs were a good 600rpm higher.
Fuel burn were both 9 gph at 2500rpm 496ci and 3000rpm for the smallblocks.

Heres a real comparison I did on Mercs prop selectors website.
26' Boat, Approx 9100lbs gross wgt, Bravo 3 drives with 2.2:1 ratio drives. Merc 8.1 375HP Mag and Mercs 350 Mag engines. Goal.... Mid range cruise. Results........
496ci Specs with a 26" pitch prop
350 Mag Specs with 20" pitch prop
1" pitch increase is good for about 200 rpm drop at cruise.
When a 350 Mag 26' DA is cruising at 26 MPH at 3600rpm. Per CSR members
The 26' DA with the 496 ci is cruising 2400rpm for the same speed?
Whats the GPH burn at these RPMs?

Reminds me of when my brother claimed his 1/2 ton Chevy with a 5.7 could tow as good or better then my Built 5.9 Cummins turbo diesel :lol::lol::lol: I'm surprised I ever stopped laughing on that one
 
Last edited:
ultratiger89 said:
are you measuring speed with a GPS or the analog gauge? My '03 speed numbers are right on par with the magazines test, using my GPS. I find it hard to believe your boat would be 5 MPH faster on top end vs. mine and on par with the 496 with the same hull design and weight as the '05 model with the 496.
Click to expand...

My apologies - I'll blame the couple of beers during the night I posted. The top speed I've see with my 350 Mag is around 36 MPH on Lowrance GPS Full Throttle.
 
There's other variables at play if the top speed is only 36MPH.
 
I can't help it Lazy Daze. I know you asked that nobody say it, but I consider a small block in a boat that heavy to be underpowered.

And who was it that said they had a nice cruise of 29 MPH at 4100 rpm? 4100 rpm cruise will greatly shorten the life of a smallblock V-8.
 
keokie said:
I can't help it Lazy Daze. I know you asked that nobody say it, but I consider a small block in a boat that heavy to be underpowered.

And who was it that said they had a nice cruise of 29 MPH at 4100 rpm? 4100 rpm cruise will greatly shorten the life of a smallblock V-8.
Click to expand...

That's me - My 07 260 is in great shape with less than 100 hours with a good prop and clean bottom. If I run it at 3600 - 3700 RPM's I'll be at around 24 MPH on GPS. So for the extra 300 - 400 RPM I get about 5 MPH. That's why I run at 4100, seem much more efficient.

At 3950 RPM's I'm around 28 MPH - given these figures, what speed do you suggest I cruise at?
 
keokie said:
I can't help it Lazy Daze. I know you asked that nobody say it, but I consider a small block in a boat that heavy to be underpowered.
Click to expand...

That's OK. We've all got our own ideas of what is needed or not needed. In the end, it all comes down to how the owner is going to use the boat. What is underpowered for someone, may be more than enough power for someone else. Personally, I have the 260HP 5.7EFI in mine. Even with 4 or 5 adults in the boat, it can still pull me up on one ski - and it's not a struggle to do it. I've skied behind the newer 260's and they do it even easier. The 454 was available in '99 - I'm glad my boat doesn't have it. It's all relative.
 
Tail Chaser 661 said:
I spent a lot of time looking at boat test.com results.
The 26' Sea Ray was the only test I had seen with poor performance numbers In 26 ft boats weighing near 7K.
Every other boat had low to high 2 mpg with the 8.1Mag
So the test was bogus, or the newer model 26' DA really suck :huh: Personally, I think both.
Click to expand...

Try comparing apples to apples. The 05-09 260s are 28' boats.
 
skibum said:
Try comparing apples to apples. The 05-09 260s are 28' boats.
Click to expand...

so are the '99-'04s with the swim platform. Your's is just integrated. Yes the '05- present are heavier which is the reason for power/performance differences, but I, like Lazy Daze, am happy with the 5.7 EFI I have. It would be nice to have the 350Mag but I don't want a big block because I know I'd be burning more fuel.

I test drove an '05 boat prior to this boat that had a 350MAG Horizon. It stepped up on plane fine and seemed like it would cruise at around 25 knots at 3800(saltwater) but the power steering hose blew off and shot a load of power steering all over the engine bay so my sea trial ended there. Not enough time to verify anything.

I think the 350 MAG is a good option for the newer models. That is what I would get, but we cruise more than we play around towing skis or towables.

I would love the larger engines if fuel burn wasn't an issue.
 
Sorry, Todd. I never checked the LOA for the pre-05 models.

I completely agree that the 260s are cruising boats, and that all of the standard Sea Ray powerplant choices should be sufficient for that purpose.
 
skibum said:
Try comparing apples to apples. The 05-09 260s are 28' boats.
Click to expand...
I had a rude awakening,
I was specing out a RV storage shed for my boat. Looked like a 14'H x 10'W x 29'L shed would do it. With my swimstep and bow pulpit. I'm over 29' :huh:

Believe me, I ran through every research tool I could find making a decision big block vs smallblock. Searched different boat wgts, with the engines, etc. I wish the big block was not the better choice. But when your paying between 13k and 18k for a toy. Spending more money for huge power is a safer choice for me. And thats only with the 496ci/502ci engines with there 500+ TQ they put out.
I would probably choose a 350 Mag or 383ci over the 7.4's 430TQ engine due to the small blocks xlnt reliability record for my boat. :smt017
26' and/or 7500/8000 lbs seems to be the cutoff point where maybe a smallblock 5.7 wont perform very good.

I saw boat tests .com 260 DA test with the 496ci way before it was posted on CSR.
That spooked the heck out of me. But considering that was only one test out of 20 or more comparisons Ive done. Well over six months of researching now.
Ive came to the conclusion that.... That boat test. com has the biggest typo error or intentional wrong performance information a company could put out there.

Think about it... How could the 8.1 Mag in a brand new 26'DA have the almost exact performance as My 5.7 260HP carb single prop Alpha 1 at a 3500 RPM cruise?
A tired 350TQ engine to a new 509TQ engine.

60% of owners with the smallblocks in heavy 26' boats are very content with them. With a Bravo 3, My boat would perform good. With the big block, Its gonna perform bitchin:grin:
Dang, I could have saved a whole lot of print. :smt021
The Big Block is just the..... Much better performing choice :smt038
And I should have been out building my A frame to yank my engine :huh:
 
Back in January I went out and did my own un-scientific analysis. 2006 260DA 496 MAG Bravo III Ratio 2.0, Genny, 75% fuel, no guest.

Best fuel efficiency at 3500. I usually cruise around 3300.

Fuel%20Curve%20260DA%20496%20MAG.jpg
 
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