Towing with 205 Sport and mpi 4.3 v6?

[yeahgofigure]

I am looking for a newer used 205 sport. Most posts I've read said get the v8 however it's hard to find as almost every used one on the market is the mpi 4.3 v6. I plan to tow with family of 5 totally about 800 lbs and with friends about 1100 lbs. I've read several posts however were mostly about the 3.0 v6 or carbed v6 which are less powerful than 220 hp mpi 4.3. Does anyone have experience towing loaded up with the mpi 4.3? Like to get the v8 but just can't find a suitable used one and got to wonder if it's even needed since almost all the available inventory is 4.3 v6.

 

[jason78]

If you are going to be boating with 5-8 people and doing watersports I think I would agree with the advice on a V8. You may want to even look at 220 Sundecks. Once you get all those people and gear on board it might be a little tight.

 

[WazzuCMGrad]

We had a 180 sport before we got-our 205 . The 3.0L was ok, but underpowered for water sports. We went above our budget to get a V8 205 for exactly that reason. I wouldn't get a smaller engine; be patient and look for what you really want. Especially with the number of people you want to bring.

Good luck!

 

[JimG]

The more the better, like your friends... bigger the better, like the V8!

Best of luck with your search and welcome to CSR!

 

[Lazy Daze]

It's funny, if we go back 10 or 15 years a V6 (with less HP back then, as well) was more than enough power for watersports. Especially a lighter 20' bowrider like the 205. 15 years ago, someone might say "Nah, a V6 is plenty - don't bother with a V8".

The 205 does an amazing job with the 220HP V6. But, that being said, probably the best thing for you to do is go and try them out. On the flip side, yes, you usually can't go wrong with more HP and (I've used both) you will absolutely notice a difference with the V8. But, the V6 will do the job, too.

 

[Chris Nowell]

Plus, if you absolutely can not find a suitable boat with the v-8 you can always prop the V-6 for a full load and water sports. Our carbed V-6 pushed a 22' Seville mid cabin around for years with no problems. We've seen the mpi V-6's in cruisers up to 23' too. So, if you're not impressed with the get up an' go when you're pulling a wake board and a boat full of people, just try props with lower pitches until you're satisfied. Of course you won't be scooting across the water at 50 mph with a 15 pitch prop, but if you want both ends of the performance spectrum then you'll have to wait for a V-8 to come available.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Good point about the prop. Smart Tabs are another easy/inexpensive add-on that will dramatically increase hole-shot (and rough water ride, too).

 

[jason78]

Everyone has a good point but it will end up being your opinion and you are the one who has to live with it. I think a V6 on that boat would be fine for certain situations. It sounds like you are planning for at least 5 people regularly and maybe 7 or 8 while still trying to do watersports which makes me suggest the V8 or even a slightly larger boat. I would recommend you get plenty of people on for a test ride regardless of what you decide on so you can see how it will perform. On my 225WE, I had a 5.0 V8 with Bravo3 and get a couple adult guests on board with the kids and the thing was dog. Granted that was a slightly larger boat than what you are looking at but still I think the point is made. I still think you are going to feel lack of cockpit space with 5-8 people + gear and coolers will be a problem before you will even need to worry about the engine package. But who knows, it might be fine. Just follow my advice and load it down for a test ride like you will be using it after you buy it. If you like it then you will like it later.

 

[Lazy Daze]

On my 225WE, I had a 5.0 V8 with Bravo3 and get a couple adult guests on board with the kids and the thing was dog. Granted that was a slightly larger boat than what you are looking at but still I think the point is made..

Plus, there's hull design to consider which can make a dramatic impact. Either way, trying them out for YOUR specific needs is important. Could it be that a true ski/wakeboard boat would suit your needs even better?

 

[NorCalGlenn]

For what it's worth, when I switched to a 19P High Five prop and added Smart Tabs (SX-80's) to my 190 Sport with the 4.3MPI, it was a completely different boat in regards to hole shot and ability to hold consistent speed while pulling a skier or wakeboarder. And for a 19' boat, I was *always* loaded - six adults and a 65 lb dog.

 

[torch318]

If you are going to be boating with 5-8 people and doing watersports I think I would agree with the advice on a V8. You may want to even look at 220 Sundecks. Once you get all those people and gear on board it might be a little tight.

+1 on the sundeck we have a 200 and it's no problem to get 8 adults onboard with enough storage space to stow everyones stuff so you don't have to walk around it all day. With the removable table we can have lunch onboard if we want. Some people don't care for the flat nose of the bow and at first I didn't either but the bow ladder is a great feature.

Sent from my SCH-R530U using Tapatalk

 

[yeahgofigure]

Would love to get a larger boat but 205 is biggest can given my Ford Flex's 4500 tow capacity. Even the 205 is pushing it. The local dealers here in Vegas don't do test rides unfortunately. The new dealers have only v6 and only could get v8 if ordered it plus almost all the used inventory is v6. When I was a kid 180hp was 0 - 60 in 8 seconds muscle car, today that's an "underpowered" commuter car. So really gotta wonder if v8 totally necessary.

 

[jason78]

The local dealers here in Vegas don't do test rides unfortunately.

I am sorry to hear that. It is completely ridiculous for your dealer to not offer test rides. Maybe if you had a deposit down it might change things? No way in he** I would ever sink that kind of money in to anything until I was able to see how it performs.

 

[blaster]

There won't be any measurable difference between the 4.3 mpi and the 5.0 carb other that the 4.3 will run better and give you fewer problems with running e10as well as better fuel economy. Now a 5.0 mpi will have a little more juice. I ski all the time with mine and have absolutely no problems with a boat load of people. If you get a v8 make sure its an mpi and not a carb or else your taking a step backwards.

 

[Chris Nowell]

. The local dealers here in Vegas don't do test rides unfortunately. QUOTE]

Time to look for another dealer. I'd offer them a generous refundable deposit and see if they change their tune. If they don't then look else where. How the heck are you supposed to make as decision based on a boat sitting on blocks in a showroom. That's ridiculous. Also, boats are like hot cars when you first drive them. At first you might think it's got plenty of get up an' go but once you get used to it you can always use more.

Getting back to prop pitch,,,, you'll want a prop that makes the engine run approximately in the middle of the power curve while towing skis or a board. I can't remember the exact ideal speeds because it was so long ago but I do remember using a lower pitch for wakeboards and a slightly higher pitch for the skiers. That was back in the days when a larger boat wasn't an option. The different props served us well for a few years until we could afford the payments on a proper ski boat with a massive gas guzzling engine that no one else ever seemed to want to put fuel in.

BTW have you researched the year of boat to confirm the payload? What year are you lookin' at?

 

[yeahgofigure]

Looking for newer used 2008 or greater so all are mpi either 4.3 v6 or 5.0 v8... nothing carbed. 5 out of 6 listings found are 4.3 and v8 not setup I like. Not much newer used inventory given boat sales died post recession. Dealers don't test drive here is what it is. Does anyone have first hand experience towing with mpi 4.3 and full capacity load of passengers / cargo?

 

[CliffA]

Would love to get a larger boat but 205 is biggest can given my Ford Flex's 4500 tow capacity. Even the 205 is pushing it. The local dealers here in Vegas don't do test rides unfortunately. The new dealers have only v6 and only could get v8 if ordered it plus almost all the used inventory is v6. When I was a kid 180hp was 0 - 60 in 8 seconds muscle car, today that's an "underpowered" commuter car. So really gotta wonder if v8 totally necessary.

not to hijack the thread, but i grew up driving muscle cars also.....i don't know what kind of 'muscle car' you speak about with only 180 hp......the muscle cars i was around and drove always had a minimum of around 300 hp and that was considerd low in some cars....those cars were VERY big and heavy and it took a lot of hp and torque to push them around.....

cliff

 

[blaster]

Looking for newer used 2008 or greater so all are mpi either 4.3 v6 or 5.0 v8... nothing carbed. 5 out of 6 listings found are 4.3 and v8 not setup I like. Not much newer used inventory given boat sales died post recession. Dealers don't test drive here is what it is. Does anyone have first hand experience towing with mpi 4.3 and full capacity load of passengers / cargo?

Maybe you didn't see my post. I have the v6 and ski all the time with varying loads of people. I have even pulled two skiers at once. I also have no trouble pulling a slalom skier out of deep water. If you get the 5.0mpi only a little better out of the hole but faster mid and top end compared to the 4.3 mpi. It might not be worth an extra $4000 to get another 4-5 mph and slightly more torque. That's your call. If you don't have to always do 50mph you could use a 17" prop which will drop your speed down to mid 40's but give you all the power you need to pull a 300lb fatso out of the water.

And I can understand the dealer not giving out free test drives in the desert. How much would it cost them to take someone to lake Meade only to have someone say thanks but I'll keep looking. Now a sea trial at purchase might be a different story.