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Most new boat packages are offered with a wide range of engine options. It is important to choose an engine that is best suited for your particular needs.
We are often asked, “what is the right engine for this boat?” This question isn’t easy to answer because different buyers have different needs and widely varying expectations. Our experience has proven one glaring rule – the most common mistake made by new boat buyers is choosing an engine that is too small for their needs.
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Many people choose the smallest engine offered in an effort to improve fuel economy. This often proves to be a mistake as the boat fails to reach plane with any more than an average load and the engine spends most of it’s cruising life at wide open throttle, shortening engine life and running at it’s least efficient throttle setting.
Choosing a somewhat larger engine will offer improved planing times and also allow the engine to make the hull move effectively at the engine’s recommended cruising speed. At this mid range speed the larger engine will run quieter, smoother and more efficiently while also lasting longer.
Selecting a still larger engine might only improve a hull’s top speed by 2 or 3 miles per hour but often, cruising speed at the mid-range “sweet spot” improves by 3 to 5 mph.
People often use the expected top speed of a boat/engine combination to determine how much power is required. We often hear “well, if it will run 42 mph, that’s good enough for me.” Consider that if you used the same analogy when choosing a car then we would have no need for a vehicle that exceeds 60 miles per hour.
If our cars didn’t have the power to exceed 60 mph, they would disappoint us when travelling up hills, carrying larger loads, passing on the highway or towing trailers.
We suggest that you pick an engine that will allow you to cruise efficiently at your expected hull speed. Most of today’s modern outboards are most efficient in the 3,500 to 4,500 RPM range while stern drives like to run in the 2,800 to 3,400 RPM range. There are exceptions to these guidelines and we suggest checking the engine manufacturer’s web sites or sales literature for further details.
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We are often asked, “what is the right engine for this boat?” This question isn’t easy to answer because different buyers have different needs and widely varying expectations.
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With stern drive powered boats greater than 23 feet or so, outdrive selection can be just as critical as engine size. The performance and handling of heavier boats can be greatly enhanced by choosing a twin prop drive like Mercruiser’s Bravo 3. Twin counter-rotating blades improve low speed maneuverability and tracking, help the boat to reach plane quicker and stay on plane at slower speeds.
Boats with less than ideal center of gravity, like 25’ aft cabin cruisers, offer especially enhanced performance. When a Bravo 3 outdrive is selected over the more conventional Alpha 1 drive the entire performance and handling personality of the boat changes for the better!
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