2013 220 350 Mag vs new model 220s

[drekar]

I'm looking at a 2013 220 with a Mercruiser 350Mag with a Bravo 3 with a waketower.

I'm comparing it to the newer models with the Sport style seating and the newer Mercruiser 6.2.

Other than the seating on the passenger side across from the driver, are there any other major differences? The waketower bimini top is a little different as well but doesn't seem to be a huge difference (please tell me if I'm missing something).

Obviously I'd prefer the new (I think 2015 or later) Mercruiser 6.2 but the 350 seems like a good reliable engine. Any thoughts?

Thank you for your time in reading this and any response.

[dustinm]

I dont like the 2013 seating at all.

As for the the engine is is the same classic small block chevy basic design with more displacement. A tried proven design. (you may be thinking its the latest GM LS/LT engine but it is not. Volvo uses those)

[drekar]

What don't you like about the seating - I'm only aware of the flip seat difference?

[ajcampen]

What don't you like about the seating - I'm only aware of the flip seat difference?

I did like having the open floor space by the flip seat. We always put wet tubes, etc there. Note that they did sell both styles for a while and stopped selling the non sport seating version. All else is roughly the same.

If I did it all over again, when I purchased my 2014 220s, I would prob now have purchased an r3.

I bought a 2011 sea ray 185 in 2015. Sold and bought a 2014 220s in 2017. Sold and bought a 2016 r7 in 2022/23.

[ajcampen]

I'm looking at a 2013 220 with a Mercruiser 350Mag with a Bravo 3 with a waketower.

I'm comparing it to the newer models with the Sport style seating and the newer Mercruiser 6.2.

Other than the seating on the passenger side across from the driver, are there any other major differences? The waketower bimini top is a little different as well but doesn't seem to be a huge difference (please tell me if I'm missing something).

Obviously I'd prefer the new (I think 2015 or later) Mercruiser 6.2 but the 350 seems like a good reliable engine. Any thoughts?

Thank you for your time in reading this and any response.

I thought you bought a 2018 220s. What is the story here?

[billk2632]

I can't offer any opinion on the boat itself - never even been on one, but they do look good. Regarding the engine, I don't think you can go wrong either way, the older 5.7/350 mag is a solid motor. The new "Mercruiser built" 6.2 the jury may still be out on those, never heard anything bad about them, but there are not 1000's of them out there like the 350/5.7. 2015 was about the time Mercruiser started building their own engines, if it is an older 6.2, that is a stroker, which is a 350 / 5.7 with a different crank that gives it a longer stroke and makes it a 383/6.2 - those are also solid motors.

[Stagdad]

What don't you like about the seating - I'm only aware of the flip seat difference?

I forget the years but 2012-2015 sounds right, the 220 model had passenger side seating that seated the passenger backwards. The seating back continued all the way up to the dashboard glove compartment. Great for watching skiers or tubers, not so much going forward. A passenger would have to sit sideways and look to the left to see ahead. I really love the sport seating on mine as it will also fold flat for a nice afternoon nap!

[dustinm]

What don't you like about the seating - I'm only aware of the flip seat difference?

Ah yes like Stagdad has mentioned.. the rear facing only passenger seating, which Im pretty sure this 2013 has. At least with a flipper the passenger can sit forward facing at cruise. Its no twin bucket seat arrangement but it seems to work ok for us

[drekar]

I thought you bought a 2018 220s. What is the story here?

Actually I bought a 2021 220s used in 2021 from a guy who was basically dumping it for a much larger boat.
I put on approx 120 hours and sold it this year in the spring for a little profit. Now I'm looking for a replacement (probably dumb that I sold).

On a different question - how much different would I notice between a 2020 VP 280 vs the Merc 6.2 300?

[ajcampen]

I thought you bought a 2018 220s. What is the story here?

Actually I bought a 2021 220s used in 2021 from a guy who was basically dumping it for a much larger boat.
I put on approx 120 hours and sold it this year in the spring for a little profit. Now I'm looking for a replacement (probably dumb that I sold).

On a different question - how much different would I notice between a 2020 VP 280 vs the Merc 6.2 300?

Thanks for the update. I sold my 220 with a 5.0l merc and got an R7 with a VP380. Biggest difference is torque. The VP is a torque monster.

[jhnmdahl]

Ah yes like Stagdad has mentioned.. the rear facing only passenger seating, which Im pretty sure this 2013 has. At least with a flipper the passenger can sit forward facing at cruise. Its no twin bucket seat arrangement but it seems to work ok for us

It took my dealer a while to understand why the 210 was a "better" boat in my wife's eyes than a 220 or R3 simply because it had dual captain's seats, but that's why we ended up with a 210. If they made a 23' 210 (a 230?), we probably would have ended up with that instead. I would also have been interested in a clean, used, affordable 232, but nobody was selling at the time