selecting an engine.....

"Get the raw water cooling. It will be easier to maintain because you won't have to flush the engine, and your overall maintenance costs will be less because it be longer before you have to replace the exhaust manifolds."

Oops!
 
I talked to the local sea ray dealer in 06... the boats they bring in under 30-32 have raw water. the big ones have FWC. It's just to much $$$ on the smaller boats to make it worth while... If you want to trade up you will be hurting bad enough with raw nevermind FW
 
Sounds like the dealer likes to sell what he has in stock and then likes to get the big bucks for early engine replacements!
 
Raw water cooling = change out manifolds and risers every 3 years and engine life of 900 hours

Fresh water cooling = change risers every 3 years and engine life of 2000+ hours. Also much better resale.
 
I would go with FWC and the bigger engine. In all my years of boating, I have never heard anyone ever say that they wish they had less HP.
 
I would go with the engine upgrade. FWC is a big plus is you ever sell the boat or trade up. As far as better mileage thats been already covered by other posters the larger engine will probably give you better fuel economy. Good luck with the new purchase.
 
One more for the larger motor especially in a 24. I went from a 5.7, to a 5.7 mag b3 duo prop in similar 23-24 boat and love the new acceleration
 
Let me get this straight. The WIFE is trying to convince the HUSBAND to get a "bigger" engine in their new boat?!!!
I think I just fell in love with another man's wife!

Go with the most powerful engine you can afford, you will never regret it.
 
Greg S and others, good catch. I did mean that fresh water cooled is better in the long run. I even re-read my posts before clicking on that magic button and didn't catch my mistake.

In fact to add to my reversed comments above, it's almost always cheaper to get the optional engine equipment up front rather than to add it later on. This is not always the case with fishing equipment though. You might be better off shopping around for downriggers, etc. You would have more choices to work with.
 
We owned a 2000 Maxum 2400 SCR with a 5.0 and Alpha One drive. It was perfect for the two of us. Adding anyone else to the boat, or adding any weight over 200lbs, made it tough to get her on plane. I would go for the 5.7, Alpha III, defintely fresh water cooled.
 
I'm missing what the heck the length of the boat has to do with the fresh/raw water engine cooling debate. I have a 25 footer, fresh water cooled. "Flushing" engines is a luxury, for outboards as well. Boats on moorings do not have that luxury, period. Flush once a year at layup. And the 5.7 (same engine I have) will not have to work as hard, which will result in better economy and a longer life.

Oh ya, better resale with the 5.7 as well.
 
And better re-sale with the FWC. I also don't see the relationship between length and FWC. I wouldn't consider buying a used boat of any lentght with salt water use that didn't have FWC.
 
quote:
Originally posted by OLD HOUSEBOATER

Raw water cooling = change out manifolds and risers every 3 years and engine life of 900 hours

Click to expand...


Housboater....

Not necessarily so in the land of fresh water lakes and no salt. My manifolds and risers are original, checked annually and show no corrosion of any kind.
 
Estimator, read the original thread. Salt water applies here. A fresh water lake would be fresh water cooled wouldn't it?

"Also, how important is a freshwater cooling system (we will be at ocean)?"
 
While I agree with everything being said, i.e. bigger engine, FWC, it should be tempered by how much you're going to use the boat and how long you're going to keep the boat.

It almost sounds like this is a first for ya, which usually means there's a good chance you'll be trading in two or three years (one pitfall of buying new), that said, the bigger engine still makes sense, but perhaps not the FWC option. There are kits (from our sponsor) to flush the engine/risers on RWC engines.

Just MHO,,,

Fred
.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Grady Wahoo

A fresh water lake would be fresh water cooled wouldn't it?

Click to expand...


Dahhh….. Not necessarily. I have a RWC boat on a fresh water lake, but it could be a FWC instead (I wish) I know the difference (do you) and understood that isitsummeryet will be in salt. If I were in salt, FWC is the way I would go. I had a Volvo Penta FWC once and really enjoyed just having to check the anti-freeze come winter and actually being able to use it year round rather than my current RWC boat that is "winterized"...it is just that with my current boat, I surely hope that I will get more than 3 years of engine life with good care...(going on 10 years now)

http://intersail.torresen.com/article.php?n=45

See if this helps Grady
 
Freddy,

Off topic here...but just wanted you to know how much I always enjoy seeing your tag line:

"IF YOU DON'T STAND BEHIND OUR TROOPS,
PLEASE, FEEL FREE TO STAND IN FRONT OF THEM !!!"

Well Said....
 
Estimator, Just to understand...you don't have to winterize a boat that's FWC? I'm definitely leaning toward this model Sea Ray, it's actually got a bigger engine than the one listed in the original thread(350 MAG MPI HORIZON BR3 (300 PHP) MERCRUISER UPGRADE) and comes with the FWC for only $2000 more. Not sure what the difference is between Magnum Bravo and Magnum Horizon Bravo, but it's a $5000 upgrade more for the Horizon (same HP)??

z275st: I'm blushing! Nice to finally be appreciated! :)
 
You still have to winterize but it is a much easier process with FWC. With FWC- full system- your block and manifolds are already filled with antifreeze. You still have to winterize the elbows and risers and exhausts as they are the only components with raw water. To do this, you run antifreeze through the system from the raw water intake until you see antifreeze come out the exhaust. DONE! You don't have to worry about running the engine up to temp to assure that the thermostat is open to allow antifreeze into the block. you don't have to worry all winter if you got enough antifreeze into the blocks. Couldn't be easier.
Greg
 
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