Older Bowrider vs Newer

[boater2018]

My 2000 Sundeck weighs 3600 lbs dry with a 220 or 240 hp 5.0, my brother's 2001 210 BR is 3400 lbs dry with a 250 HP 5.7. I like the styling of the SPX models, but noticed the standard engine has 200hp with optional models up to 250hp with a good amount of cost increase. I also noticed the OB option has a 150 with an optional 200. I am just curious to what the reason would be for the standard horsepower on the SPX models to be less than what was standard years ago. I assume the prop pitches are different and maybe the outdrive ratios? I would have assumed the engine power would have increased over the years before decreasing, even though it's only 20hp difference in the stock packages. I have not ridden on a newer model Sea Ray, but we may be interested in upgrading to something newer at some point. Those of you who have owner older model bowriders, what is your take on how they perform and ride quality in some chop old vs new? Obviously the newer model interiors are nicer, but what makes them rated for 12 people vs the older ones at 10 when they came with a little less power? Just curious to the comparison of old vs new all around. New is great for warranty, but that doesn't last forever.

 

[blaster]

My understanding is that newer hull designs are more efficient and therefore require less power for similar performance.

 

[MrHappy]

We love our old 1991 Sea Ray 220 BR. She does pretty good in chop. We will be taking her to Muskegon, Michigan at the end of this month. If it’s too windy, I just stay on Muskegon lake. If

it’s nice out, we’ll head out to the big lake.

I believe she does not even compare to the new Sea Rays that are the same size. Mine has a deeper V than the new ones. In addition, I have a 70 gallon tank. A 5.7 litre engine that can push her to almost 50 mph. I have not opened her up in a long time. Usually cruise at 3100 rpm’s

 

[Scott215]

Nice boat

 

[jmauld]

I would guess that modern construction techniques have allowed fiberglass hulls (with no wood) to be lighter than older models of equivalent size.

 

[boater2018]

I would guess that modern construction techniques have allowed fiberglass hulls (with no wood) to be lighter than older models of equivalent size.

I thought that at first, but mine is the first year of the “no structural wood” construction for the Sundeck and it weighs a comparable 3600 lbs dry. I guess the hull design changes could allow smoother performance?

 

[Arminius]

Generally, you have to pay a lot more today to get the same product you did prior to 2010. There was a big shake-up in 2008 and the products that emerged may have had the same names but were cheapened. Weight is a good measure of what you are getting and a heavier boat has more inertia to cut through the chop more smoothly. As to engines, they are complicated and the engineers are good at extracting performance without cubic inches (the definitive measure.) The 200 hp Merc is a Chevy V-6 with expensive Mercruiser heads that apparently do the job. I had the Sport 195 for a while and the 200hp was adequate for that lighter hull. Outboards are more expensive and less powerful than when they were 2-strokes but much more civilized and well liked. Better take a test drive and remember you can trade disagreeable top speed for low end pulling grunt with a prop swap by dealer before you buy it.

 

[snoeproe]

2003 220 bowrider.
3850 lbs dry. 260hp 5.0 MPI.
47gal tank. Dual batteries
She’s well over 4000lbs loaded up.

 

[Arminius]

Ran down the length of Lake WA (20 miles)in moderate chop at 35 mph for the first time in a long time. The weight of the 2003 Select 200 with 5L helps cut through it a lot. This is compared to the 4.3 190 Sport.

 

[Lazy Daze]

To answer your question about the newer hulls and HP... the newer hulls are VASTLY more efficeint at planing and hole shot. Huge difference. That's the reason - better design and engineering.

If you're looking at the Sea Rays made since about 2017-ish, then they also have an engine made by Mercruiser, not a hybrid Chevy/Merc. These newer engines are better than the older ones in terms of power - even if the HP is the same (or even slightly lower).

 

[Arminius]

To answer your question about the newer hulls and HP... the newer hulls are VASTLY more efficeint at planing and hole shot. Huge difference. That's the reason - better design and engineering.

If you're looking at the Sea Rays made since about 2017-ish, then they also have an engine made by Mercruiser, not a hybrid Chevy/Merc. These newer engines are better than the older ones in terms of power - even if the HP is the same (or even slightly lower).

As to "planing," there is a law of hydrodynamics that says the maximum speed of a displacement hull is directly proportional to its length. Yes, getting on the plane is important although I see it as having the right prop churning in the correct power range of the engine. Once on the plane, the picture changes as the weight of the boat transfers to the "pad" at the rear of the hull. Hydroes also carry weight and stabilize with sponsons. I had an air entrapment hull on a Hydrostream that resumed acceleration at 60 mph.
But what I really think is that a little engine (few cu in) and a light hull are cheap crap.