2008 175 4cyl or 2003 185 V6?

[enners]

Hi, I am new to this forum. I am looking at buying either the latest design 175 second hand, 2008 maybe with a 4cyl 135hp or an older 180/185 with a V6. I am getting mixed reports about the 4cyl. Many say its under powered and to always go for the V6 but as its only a 17.5ft boat and I am generally cruising, knee boarding, wakeboarding and rarely mono skiing, I think the 4cyl should be OK. Fuel prices are rapidly increasing over in Australia too. Does anyone have an opionion on my dilema

 

[dutchman]

First welcome to the club........there are all kinds of opinions on this so really it all comes down to what and where you plan to go boating.
The 4 cyl may be under powered in certain applications, but in the 175, it's a great combo. I looked at bigger boats also and would have went with more HP if I had got the 185/95. In my case, our model has the jump seats in the back instead of the bench, which gives it lots of floor space.

I’m very happy with the performance. Top speed is around 42-43 mph. It’s up on plane very quick, handles great. We usually pull 2 single tubes or a big 2-3 man tube. It pulls these with a couple adults without a problem. I weigh 185 and it pulls me on a slalom ski easy. We usually have 3-5 people in the boat.

Fuel consumption, is excellent. The 135hp moves the boat around with ease. If you had the 4 cyl in a bigger, heavier boat, sure it might burn more, but this 175 is the perfect combo. A couple of my buds have bigger boats with V6 + V8, and they always burn more fuel. Again, bigger boats, more room, more HP, it’s all nice, but if it’s not what you need, why have it?
I’d take both boats out for a good ride and see which one works for you.
Hopefully this info helps……good luck

 

[jhild]

A 175 with 3.0L engine will be fine. It’s a good match for the boat.

An older 185 with the 4.3L would be OK, too. Depends on what you're looking to do.

 

[Nehalennia]

If you were to seatrial both, you'd fall in love with the V6 and I bet you would select that boat. If condition of the boat's were the same, that would be my choice.

 

[robbo8199]

Last season we bought a 1995 175 with the same 135hp 4cyl. For as light as the boat is, it is plenty of power for us. We have not used it much for any watersports just yet, but I think it will do the job.

The best part about it for us.... it uses very little gas. With gas prices where they are now I am happy we have the smaller guy.
I'm sure a larger boat would be underpowered by the 4cyl though.

I'd base it on your comfort level with the size of each boat. If you feel you would get more enjoyment out of the extra room on the 185 then I would go with that and the larger engine. If they feel similar to you then I would save the gas $

 

[PDACPA]

I would go with the bigger engine. Manufacturers typically used the 4cyl to be able to price the boats lower and make them more affordable.

Once you load up the boat with people, fuel, coolers full of beverages, towels, etc you are going to wish you had that V6.

 

[Gunn]

I too have a 1995 175 I/O that wll be for sale here shortly. Anyway, it has a 3.0l and the power has been just fine for us. Everything being equal I too would vote for a V6. But this little engine runs great. I would burn about 3 gallons per hour of cruise...yes, THREE! I would pull a tube with two people on it, and we wakeboarded with it with no problems at all.

I'm going to miss her for sure...

 

[surfinjoe]

I bet the boats perform about the same. My 180 sport was a great boat in small to medium waters. Kind of scarry in big waters though.

It all depends on where you are boating and what you are looking to do. I love my 220 SD, but I do miss how my 180 sipped the gas. I could tube/ski all day on less than 20 gallons of gas. With my 220 SD, I use 50 gal. for every 20 gal. that the 180 used. That being said, my current boat is faster, much better ride, 100% better throttle response (thanks to the Bravo III) and more useful.

I will say that the 3.0L does run a bit rough at idle. It's not a bad motor, but it is also not fuel injected. Reliability on my 350 MAG does seem better.

 

[Mark RSA2AU]

Hey Mate

I have the 180 with the 135, 4 cyl. If I had my choice I would by the V6. the 4cyl is great in fuel and it is adequate for everything else. we tow the kids, tube, wake board and knee board. If it is your first boat and this is all you want to do then it is ok. If you are going to want to do more more, then the small price in extra fuel is worth it. I will be trading up as soon as I can but I do a lot of skiing.

Cheers

 

[JindySR]

If you get the chance go the v6. Yes it will use more fuel but it will go harder. You will find that you are working the 4 cyl pretty hard and the fun factor will fade pretty fast. That said the 4 is cheaper as people try to get out of them to go the bigger motor - surely that says something?

To tell you the truth if I was to buy another boat now it would be a V8 over the V6.

Cheers