Boat Engine Comparison | V6 vs I4

Thinking about a new or new to you boat and want to know if an inline 4 cylinder of a V6 engine is right for you? There are many pros and cons with each base engine type and both major sterndrive marine engine manufactures have made them over the years (Mercruiser and Volvo). Many of these differences are obvious, and yet they are often ignored by boat sales people. In this video we will cover:
1. Pros and cons of a 4 cylinder engine. 1:45
2. Pros and cons of a V6 engine. 3:02
3. Some ideal engine setups for different boats. 4:57
_______________________
Boating Buying Playlist:
▶ • Buying a Boat Tips
Sterndrives vs Outboards:
▶ • Outboard vs Inboard/Ou...
Bravo vs. Alpha Sterndrives:
▶ • Is a Bravo Drive Bette...
________________________
Connect with us!
▶lenscove.com
▶ / lenscove
▶ / lenscovem
▶ / lenscovem

[@boatinglessons]

What do you have powering your boat? Any pros or cons we missed on this video? Please share with our community!

[@biggifrank69]

Missed the 3.7 inline 4

[@randallhorres4213]

I have owned mercruisers for 30 years and have always done my own maintenance and your video is very good . I have actually put 3.0 in boats that were formally V8 or V6 just for the reason maintenance was almost requiring motor to come out . 4 cylinder is lighter and you have tons of room to maintain

[@boatinglessons]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@gonefishin1234]

Thank you for the very helpful video. Can you please do a video comparing all engine types? You have one but it only covers partial onboard vs outboard. Can you also please do a video comparing gas to diesel engines and a video on how to do basic engine maintenance for each engine type? Change oil etc. Can you also please do a video that talks about how to get into a used motor yacht boat, something around the $100K-$250K price range 30+ feet and what the considerations would be when searching for something a step up from the usual small boats? Thanks for all of your great videos and would love to see more frequent content from you.

[@boatinglessons]

John-Allan. The gas vs. diesel engine is a great idea, thanks! The one on the cruiser purchasing is an interesting one. Where are you located? In the short term before we wrap our heads around that one, I may be able to find a trusted local expert for you to work with in your area.

[@gonefishin1234]

@@boatinglessons Glad you like the engine idea. I'm in Scarborough.

[@pdm1942]

I disagree with your recommendation of the V6 , it depends on what you are going to use your boat for I think. I chose the 4 cylinder for my Starcraft Islander 19 ft. aluminum fishing boat and it was a perfect choice in my opinion. It would go 35 mph if needed and go very slow for trolling . Lots of power for that boat and very economical to run and service. Lots of fishermen wanting to purchase a used boat like this as well. Very sea worthy in the big lakes and rough water. Also VERY reliable , just my opinion........!

[@boatinglessons]

Totally agree with you. The intention of the video was to highlight that there were pros of each and that both 4 and 6 cylinder engines had positives to consider.

[@gonefishin1234]

Depends on your use case. For your use case it seems a 4 would make sense but for what I have in mind a 6 would be better. Just depends.

[@jimwhall6609]

I also think that the aluminum hull is a key distinction there. I have a 16' Sylvan Sport Select with a 112 Johnson SPL and it's plenty of power. But for my H190 Four Winns the hull is *significantly* heavier, and the 3.0 liter would leave me struggling with the water sports my family would like to do. I'm a big fan of aluminum hulls due to their weight and durability. My family much prefers the ride of the Four Winns.

[@Fact_Check77]

Any thoughts or views on a 350 Mag Fuel Injected engine? Thinking about buying a great condition & well maintained 2004 Sea Ray 200 Select for $15000

[@Nick_G7IZR]

Why has the the Mercruiser 3.0l carb engine been around for so long? I would have thought, like outboards, they would have ditched it years ago in favour of a direct injection engine. It clearly must be a reliable block.

[@boatinglessons]

Nick, they did make a 3.0L MPI for a brief period of a few years. Unfortunately it was launched right at a time when three things were happening. 1. The overall new boat market was shrinking (particularly sterndrive boats). 2. There was a shift away from smaller boats to larger ones that required more power than a 4 cylinder could produce. and 3. It was getting harder for Mercruiser to obtain the blocks to make the 3.0L. It was really a classic supply and demand issue that killed the engine (both the carb and MPI version)

[@tedschmitt178]

The 3.0 is the old General Motors Iron Duke, which historically was 2.5L, but is bored out a bit to make the 3.0. It was originally produced by GM starting in the early 60’s and is completely cast iron block, cast iron cylinders, cast iron head, all which make it very durable and easy to service. The later models were equipped with fuel injection (TKS models).

[@redzoom7857]

Which do you guys consider the superior V6, the Mercruiser 4.5 250 or the Volvo Penta 240? I can’t find this addressed anywhere even though many boat manufacturers offer both in the same boat.

[@sharonbraselton3135]

Merry. 250 sport het drive

[@samsquires2877]

Volvo penta is way better then the mercruiser.

[@chrisanderson4799]

Volvo all day

[@samsquires2877]

The 4.3 V6 is a better engine then the 4.5 V6.

[@markst.germain9286]

Buy a boat with a V8 , you’ll be glad you did.

[@80ajflores]

Are 1984 0MC 2.5 Inboard outboard motors Decent compared to other similar and size? For is the OMC's cheap version of others?

[@sharonbraselton3135]

Muy whaler 15 fot range it outtpauts 115 hp 85 hp at pump 35 or 36 moh at toppled jet drjve

[@PhilipBergeron]

good on fuel runs smooth

[@tomdavis8757]

V6 type engine layout is an old pace jog compared to an online 4. Honestly if you need more power I’d skip the V6 and go small V8 Cheers

[@boatinglessons]

No one ever said “I have too much power” ;)

[@ozelot250]

I have a 2002 Maxum 1800 Sr3 bowrider with the mercruiser 3.0 135 hp 4 cylinder with Alpha gen 2 and Solas aluminum 4 blade 14.5X19 prop. It does alright. With two people on board it goes 40mph but performance is sluggish with four adults. I wish that it had more power and I often think about repowering to 250hp v6 or 300hp v8. I would like to see 50s-60mph 🤣 but I know that is wishful thinking. It’s great at cruising and has been extremely reliable, low maintenance, and very fuel economical. Any ideas on how to improve acceleration and midrange handling?

[@boatinglessons]

Have you ever run it alone to Wide Open Throttle (trim up, light load) while you are alone in the boat?

[@boatinglessons]

If so (I should have asked), what was the RPM?

[@ozelot250]

@@boatinglessons Yes. Usually it’s either me alone or with my wife. I’ve had it up to 43mph with just myself but usually it’s more like 40mph at 5000 rpm.

[@jdp3867]

@@ozelot250 I have a very similar boat. 97 Sea Ray 175. I also have similar performance being that it tops out at 43 mph. Mine will plane with it's max load but I attribute this to the Mercury high 5 prop I have on the boat. Mine also red lines at 5000 rpms which I have been told is too high for the boat and can damage the engine. I try not to pass 4500 now. Have you ever heard that 5000 rpms is too much for this engine? Just checking to see if my intel is correct.

[@jdp3867]

@@boatinglessons what should be the max rpms for a 3.0 inline 4? My 97 Sea Ray 175 tops out at 43-44 at 5000 rpms. I've been told that 5000 is too high. Has a great hole shot because of the Mercury high 5 prop but I worry that it is over revving at 5000. Should I keep it under 4500?

[@manitoublack]

What about an I6 with a turbo :D

[@sharonbraselton3135]

I6 i4 turbo charged jets drive be great we up jet drive hp at pump