- Oct 6, 2006
- 12,153
- Boat Info
- 1996 450DA
- Engines
- 3116 Caterpillars
Here's a comment from the peanut gallery..........
You guys can hose each other ad infinitem over thermal losses, internal frictional losses, and other technical minutia, but don't forget the original question.......is a 3.0L enough motor for a particular boat?
Sea Ray is the subject of the question and I can tell you that Sea Ray will not release a boat that isn't safe or that is so under powered that it will not perform to some minimum level of performance. Simarly, Sea Ray will not produce a "hot rod" with so much power the hull is dangerous. Between the 2 extremes there are sometimes optional engines offered. I have never heard a complaint about having too much power, but you will hear complaints about there not being enough power for some situations.
My own view is that it is a mistake to buy a boat with minimum power configuration. They are seldom more fuel efficient because it takes a lot more throttle at an inefficient part of the engine's power curve to achieve the speeds and thrust desired. A larger engine choice is usually more satisfactory because it deliveres what the owner needs at a lower throttle setting in a more comfortable rpm range for the engine and the boat's occcuants.
And, the above discussion does not take into consideration the lower resale value or quality of investment differential of a boat with the smallest engine choice, nor does it address the additional maintenance/repair cost of a engine that must run full out most of its life. The owner's overall satisfaction with a boat is driven by a lot more engine efficiency.......comfort? security? maneuverability? noise?
I don't care if its gas or diesel, and I don't even know if the boat is question was offered with more then one engine........just give me the biggest engine available every time out.
OK.........y'all can continue now.
You guys can hose each other ad infinitem over thermal losses, internal frictional losses, and other technical minutia, but don't forget the original question.......is a 3.0L enough motor for a particular boat?
Sea Ray is the subject of the question and I can tell you that Sea Ray will not release a boat that isn't safe or that is so under powered that it will not perform to some minimum level of performance. Simarly, Sea Ray will not produce a "hot rod" with so much power the hull is dangerous. Between the 2 extremes there are sometimes optional engines offered. I have never heard a complaint about having too much power, but you will hear complaints about there not being enough power for some situations.
My own view is that it is a mistake to buy a boat with minimum power configuration. They are seldom more fuel efficient because it takes a lot more throttle at an inefficient part of the engine's power curve to achieve the speeds and thrust desired. A larger engine choice is usually more satisfactory because it deliveres what the owner needs at a lower throttle setting in a more comfortable rpm range for the engine and the boat's occcuants.
And, the above discussion does not take into consideration the lower resale value or quality of investment differential of a boat with the smallest engine choice, nor does it address the additional maintenance/repair cost of a engine that must run full out most of its life. The owner's overall satisfaction with a boat is driven by a lot more engine efficiency.......comfort? security? maneuverability? noise?
I don't care if its gas or diesel, and I don't even know if the boat is question was offered with more then one engine........just give me the biggest engine available every time out.
OK.........y'all can continue now.