205 Sport for Wake Boarding-- 220 versus 260hp engine

[Inland Canuck]

I'm currently shopping for a 205 Sport w/a 260hp engine. The boat will be used as a family boat for slalom skiing (me) and wake boarding (kids).

My local dealer isn't stocking any Sport 205 models this summer on account of the economy so I've been forced to look for a boat outside my immediate geographical area.

Today I phoned a dealer and here is where my question arises. The dealer told me he only stocks the 205 Sport with the 220hp engine as he thinks the 260hp engine is "too powerful" an engine for wake boarding. He was a fast talker and I really couldn't make sense of his reasoning. From what he said, I understood him to mean that the boat would plane too quickly with a 260hp engine and therefore wouldn't be good at typical wake boarding speed of 20-22mph or so.

I'm confused... Are his comments legitimate or is this a case of a dealer trying to talk me into buying the model of the boat he has in inventory? Correct me if I'm wrong, but shouldn't the engine's horsepower only determine time to plane and not the actual minimum speed at which the boat planes (presuming both engine weights are equal)? Isn't planing speed a function of the hull and not the engine hp? Can anyone enlighten me on what this dealer was saying and whether his comment is valid?

Thanks in advance for your helpful replies!

 

[springer3]

Talking to salesmen for technical advice is like going to a psychiatrist for brain surgery. I had one try to sell the larger-engine boat because it would get better fuel economy. The extra weight of the engine will affect low-speed planing characteristics, but you compensate for that with trim.

I hate to make the fellow's case for him, but 220 HP is plenty of power to pull skiiers. Switch to a 4-blade prop if you want a little extra low-end bite. The extra HP will make the most difference in top speed.

 

[highslice]

You'll never be sorry you had "too much" horse power. No one has ever said "I wish I got a smaller engine".

There is actually some validity to the "larger engine is more economical" pitch. For instance, my 496 burns less gas pulling a tube than my 350 did at the same speed (based on the Smart Craft fuel flow readings). On the other hand, at no point would the 350 EVER burn 32 GPH like the 496 will at WOT.:lol:

 

[Lazy Daze]

Your thought about the salesman are correct. He's just trying to sell what he has - and not doing a very good job of it, if I may be so bold.

In this case, weight of engine is basically a non-issue - the difference between a V-6 and a V-8 is negligible. Besides, the 220HP could be the carb'd V-8. However, the theory is correct and in some case it can make a difference.

Bigger engine = better fuel economy. I agree, there is some truth to that. Of course, it all comes down to user throttle control.

Why isn't your dealer willing to locate one for you? I do this all the time for our customers. Heck, I even have customers over in Denmark, Ireland, England, Canada, etc. that keep coming back to me. If I don't have what they want in stock, I'll find it for them.

 

[billandamy]

The 260 hp would be a better choice imo only because the first thing I look at is having as much HP as possible. However, even the 4.3 will pull up a rider no problems as my buddy Matt (slack on this site) has the 4.3 and it is fine with just a few people in the boat. A full boat and it would be a struggle. How much throttle you have to give is different, however, and Im wondering about long term strain. On my boat, you can just throttle up a little to pull someone out, on Matt's, you have to floor it, especially if you have a boat full of people. HERE is where the 5.0, 260 vs the 220 may make a difference as well.

Youre salesperson has no idea about watersports! The 260 is NOT too powerful, as you STILL control the throttle either way. Heck, the Super Air Nautiques and other engines on most towboats have over 300 hp!

In addition, you WANT the boat to plane asap when involved in watersports. You cannot do much in wakeboarding (or slalom even more so!) until the boat planes out. Once it doies, thats when you have the proper crisp wake to start aerials. The salesperson, once again, is very ill informed about watersports, and assumes you are too.


My opinion is to go with 260 hp. More power will only work to your advantage in the end.

Best of luck!

 

[Inland Canuck]

Great replies everyone-- so, so helpful! As an MD, I particularly loved the reply about psychiatrists and brain surgery!

Thanks so much. As a waterskier, I know the issues re: the skiing end of things. I'm not a wakeboarder (yet!) so I am truly appreciate the helpful advice.

260hp here I come!

 

[billandamy]

Great replies everyone-- so, so helpful! As an MD, I particularly loved the reply about psychiatrists and brain surgery!

Thanks so much. As a waterskier, I know the issues re: the skiing end of things. I'm not a wakeboarder (yet!) so I am truly appreciate the helpful advice.

260hp here I come!

You'll be a wakeboarder before ya know it. I have converted everyone of my friends who used to ski now. There is just so much more to do, learn and improve on in wakeboarding, and it is a LOT of fun!!!

Good luck in whatever you do!

 

[Inland Canuck]

Your thought about the salesman are correct. He's just trying to sell what he has - and not doing a very good job of it, if I may be so bold.

In this case, weight of engine is basically a non-issue - the difference between a V-6 and a V-8 is negligible. Besides, the 220HP could be the carb'd V-8. However, the theory is correct and in some case it can make a difference.

Bigger engine = better fuel economy. I agree, there is some truth to that. Of course, it all comes down to user throttle control.

Why isn't your dealer willing to locate one for you? I do this all the time for our customers. Heck, I even have customers over in Denmark, Ireland, England, Canada, etc. that keep coming back to me. If I don't have what they want in stock, I'll find it for them.

I phoned him in follow-up to your comment. According to the dealer, he still doesn't have any-- "may have a couple of 2009s that were supposed to go to their rental pool, may have some 2010s coming in, all 220hp." The dealer only wants to bring in the 220hp 5.0 liter-- "You don't need the 4.3 liter full injected, the 220 hp 5.0 liter engine is actually more powerful than the 260hp engine for getting out of the hole due to its gear ratio."

As always, I try to buy locally but sometimes the planets just refuse to line up!

Many thanks for your advice and comments.

Mike:thumbsup:

 

[Inland Canuck]

You'll be a wakeboarder before ya know it. I have converted everyone of my friends who used to ski now. There is just so much more to do, learn and improve on in wakeboarding, and it is a LOT of fun!!!

Good luck in whatever you do!

Thanks Bill--

At 42 I wonder if I'm too old to take up barefoot skiing-- I never had a boat that was fast enough/powerful enough in my younger slalom days!

And yes, I do look forward to taking up wakeboarding-- the more water sports the better! I tried it once on a friend's boat-- lots of fun and man it hurts less crashing at the slower wake boarding speed!

 

[Inland Canuck]

You'll never be sorry you had "too much" horse power. No one has ever said "I wish I got a smaller engine".

There is actually some validity to the "larger engine is more economical" pitch. For instance, my 496 burns less gas pulling a tube than my 350 did at the same speed (based on the Smart Craft fuel flow readings). On the other hand, at no point would the 350 EVER burn 32 GPH like the 496 will at WOT.:lol:

Thanks. Yes, hp is like good looks and money-- you can never have too much of either!:smt001

 

[Lazy Daze]

I phoned him in follow-up to your comment. According to the dealer, he still doesn't have any-- "may have a couple of 2009s that were supposed to go to their rental pool, may have some 2010s coming in, all 220hp." The dealer only wants to bring in the 220hp 5.0 liter-- "You don't need the 4.3 liter full injected, the 220 hp 5.0 liter engine is actually more powerful than the 260hp engine for getting out of the hole due to its gear ratio."

As always, I try to buy locally but sometimes the planets just refuse to line up!

Many thanks for your advice and comments.

Mike:thumbsup:

I looked into this for another customer about 2 days ago. He was looking for the 4.3MPI, so I don't recall if there were 5.0MPI's or not, but there were A TON of 2008 leftovers floating around... I mean a lot! And, there are no "2010's coming in" - at least not anytime soon. Production was pushed back on everything to allow the '08's and '09's to sell off.

And, if you're telling him you want the 5.0MPI, why wouldn't he offer to build you a 2010 the way you want it? There's still time to change any open orders.

On edit: I apologize for coming across as though I'm putting that dealer down. That is not my intent - I'm just surprised that he can't do more for you.

 

[billandamy]

the 220 hp 5.0 liter engine is actually more powerful than the 260hp engine for getting out of the hole due to its gear ratio."

Hmmm...I believed it is the same drive (alpha one) and ratio. I could be wrong, but that doesnt sound right to me.

 

[billandamy]

Thanks Bill--

At 42 I wonder if I'm too old to take up barefoot skiing-- I never had a boat that was fast enough/powerful enough in my younger slalom days!

And yes, I do look forward to taking up wakeboarding-- the more water sports the better! I tried it once on a friend's boat-- lots of fun and man it hurts less crashing at the slower wake boarding speed!

Never ever too old for anything you have a passion for. As long as you are in decent health and shape, go for it!! I could never barefoot, just couldnt get it :-(

Although the hits are softer when you start out on a wakeboard, they get incrementally more painful when you start to do ariel tricks, so dont be fooled yet! :grin:

 

[billandamy]

On edit: I apologize for coming across as though I'm putting that dealer down. That is not my intent - I'm just surprised that he can't do more for you.

I dont think you are coming across that way at all, but merely speaking out on exactly my thoughts as well as others Im sure. My dealer would have searched the world for what we wanted if we didnt just actually order something new.