[DROID1]

Hi everyone,
Previous boating experience - 3.5m Honda inflateable 15hp Johnson European lakes.

Seen a 2003 Mariah SX 8 with Mercruiser 3.0L 135hp on a web site - Appllo Duck (to be imported from Florida with Global Trading Partners). A few people have told me this is the least powerful Inboard engine fitted to this class of boat. Will it be O.K to learn to ski with - I am 18 stone there will probably be up to four people in the boat (usualy 2) and one on the rope. the boat will be used on freshwater european lakes for skiing, pulling toys and touring around.

Will the Mariah SX 8 be O.K for what I want it for?

How fast are these boats (compared to my little inflateable)?

How economical?

How will it compare to a boat with a bigger engine say 4.3L 190hp?

Any one used Global Trading Partners?

I have just booked a Level 2 Power boat and CEVNI course (does this cover me in Italy and France inland waterways and lakes)?

Any help appreciated

[indykoch]

Welcome aboard! The 135hp 3.0L 4 cyl. is one heck of a workhorse. Great fuel economy in relation to other marine engines (but it's still a boat). But, my experience has always been, get the biggest engine you can. You'll never regret it.

The 3.0L is a great engine, and can pull skiers with the loads your expecting. But it will definitely drag them longer and be more difficult to plane.

As far as speed - I'd guess the 3.0L would put you around 42-45 MPH and the 4.3L would go about 45-48 MPH.

Get the bigger engine if it's a possibility. If not, the 3.0L will suffice.

[ShabahZ280]

This will be a great "starter boat" for you. Especially if your only previous boating experience was an inflatable.

Performance wise, the 3.0 isn't a speed demon, but I'm sure it'd keep you in the mid 40mph range at wide open throttle. It's the smallest and most economical engine for this size boat, and should provide great fuel economy provided you're not running it at full power all the time. It's got a 22 gallon tank, so filling it up shouldn't hurt your pocketbook too badly. It will be able to pull a skier, but if you're going to be doing it a lot, or always hauling passengers around, you might want to think hard about the 4.3L engine. The 4.3L will be able to plane much quicker, and offers more torque to get the skier up quicker. It's not that bad on fuel consumption, still much less than a V8. I had a 18ft Sea Ray with the 4.3L for about 10yrs and it was a great little boat. It was about the perfect power combo for anything, watersports, cruising, whatever.

Generally the rule of thumb with buying a boat is, buy the biggest engine, as you'll usually be much happier that way. However with the price of gas these days, I can understand picking the smaller engine too! So the choice is yours!

[Straad]

i dotn know what 18 stone is, but i skied behind a 3.0 weighing 220 pounds 100kilos slalom but you better be good and be willing to drag for a while
I wouldnt recomend it for large adults, but perfect for kids
it was slightly better when we added a whale tail
that was my first boat an 18' Rinker 3.0

i now have a 18'with a 4.3 and its alot better
(of course that doesnt help me ski any as it has been a while since i was a light 220#)

[mikeyt]

hmm.....at 18 stone (about 250 lbs give or take a couple for us non-English types) that 3.0L will struggle to pull you up particularly if you have 2 - 4 other 'larger' people on board. It'll do it but it will struggle. You could improve that though by switching to a 4 blade SS prop which will provide a little more 'bite' out of the hole and a little more mid-range acceleration. You could also install a set of Smart Tabs (about $150 US) which will also help with the planing and acceleration.

If it's your first boat then it may do the job but i think you will find yourself longing for a boat with a larger engine (4.3 or 5.0L) afterward. Just my .02 worth (adjusted for inflation of course).

[180diablo]

I will go along with what everyone else has mentioned.

If you are looking to tow / ski / whatever. Start at the 4.3L and go up from there.
If you are looking to cruise / sight see etc, then the 3.0L is perfect.

I own a 93 3.0L and I have never attempted to tow anyone with it. But it is great on fuel and does fine with about four people in the boat. I haven't had more then four at one time yet.

With one person (me) the boat is so nimble on the water. I love it, my girlfriend doesn't tho. Because that means she is on shore somewhere.. hehe.

Buy your boat for what YOU want to get out of it. Then it will last you a few seasons. When the boat is not doing what you want anymore, you are going into the boat upgrade path.