Building an R6, what size engine should I get?

[stevehabermann]

The boat will be used primarily for passengers and pulling a tube(along with a lot of floating, drinking and good times). Zero intentions of pulling a ski, wakeboard ect. Realistically eight people on average.... but could go full capacity on a good weekend.

My original thought was the standard VP300-CE. The salesman recommended the 380-CE. For 15K MSRP, what do I get. Not looking to race other boats, just regular family time on it, and honestly don't care if I get passed by other boats.

Thanks for the feedback.

[Big Block Power]

No way would I get the smallest engine they offer on that big heavy pig. I always say get the largest your pocket can afford. Ok get the largest even if you can't afford it

[Dudley67]

So, to give you a comparison, my one and only new order was a 2007 252 @ a strapping 5400lbs.
I went with the 6.2l 320 Php Bravo 3 Merc. Top end was 54ish..

Like Big Block Power said, nope on the baby motor. Spend the most u can afford, at a minimum the 350 Merc.

I priced a R4, thought really seriously about it, 350 is the smallest, no matter what in this weight class. $7k to go to the 8.2 is not much more to lay out for resale value.

Besides this is the best group of internet hooligans to spend anyones’ money I have ever seen..

[tgrace98]

R6 weighs the same as my r7. I have the VP380. I wouldn’t want anything less. Top speed is low 50’s and I have no problems getting on plane with a boat full of adults or pulling a tuber.

[FirstStar]

The 380 gets the bigger displacement and you know what they say "no replacement for displacement!" I love my 6.2 380 - Great motor!

[stifflkd]

Go with the 380. I have a a R5/350 and low 50's. The R6 is about 1,000 lbs heavier and you will need the extra 30hp. Even though you say you don't tube or ski, 8+ people on board will have the same effect. Don't underweigh the need for power.

[Big Block Power]

The 380 gets the bigger displacement and you know what they say "no replacement for displacement!" I love my 6.2 380 - Great motor!

Then get a 8.2

[jhnmdahl]

Jumping from the 5.3L (300 or 350) to the 6.2L (380 or 430) is a big jump in low end torque, getting on plane, towing watersports riders or a full boat, etc.. In a boat that size and weight, I agree that the 380 is the right engine.

John

[dustinm]

The boat will be used primarily for passengers and pulling a tube(along with a lot of floating, drinking and good times). Zero intentions of pulling a ski, wakeboard ect. Realistically eight people on average.... but could go full capacity on a good weekend.

My original thought was the standard VP300-CE. The salesman recommended the 380-CE. For 15K MSRP, what do I get. Not looking to race other boats, just regular family time on it, and honestly don't care if I get passed by other boats.

Thanks for the feedback.

Are you planning on long cruises? Or just going over to park in a cove? If you are just planning the later you could get away with the base engine. Lake vs river current would also play into factor, we chose a larger engine because of past river experiences. Hindsight the 280 V6 would suit our needs but if I ever need to buck the Missouri River current I will have no problem.

Resale - the base engine will be passed over vs a 380, but I dont know if you would get 100% of your 15k back either.

I wouldnt get a 380 I would go Merc and get 8.2 BB, if I was to take 2 steps up already...

FWIW - We passed on a new R5 sitting on the showroom floor in 2020 because it only had 300hp. The dealer had spec'd it for the lake that they were on and not someone that trailers all over.

[Krob1114]

FWIW - We passed on a new R5 sitting on the showroom floor in 2020 because it only had 300hp. The dealer had spec'd it for the lake that they were on and not someone that trailers all over.

When we were looking to upgrade our boat in 2018-19, every time I saw a "good" price on a boat, I realized it was because the engine was smaller.
Every used R5 in our targeted price range that was for sale had a 300 hp. I'm thinking in most cases, the owner purchased 300 for price, or it was what the dealer had on the floor, and realized they wanted more. We're happy with the 300 hp on the R3, but most lake trips we have four or fewer people.

[evmolinar]

R6 weighs the same as my r7. I have the VP380. I wouldn’t want anything less. Top speed is low 50’s and I have no problems getting on plane with a boat full of adults or pulling a tuber.

If you can get on plane quickly with a full load and hit 50 mph on top end, who cares how heavy the boat is. Heavy rides better than light. 50mph is plenty fast IMO.

[Edgedude]

Does anyone have the time to plane and the top speed on the Volvo 300HP base engine?

[AsLan7]

Does anyone have the time to plane and the top speed on the Volvo 300HP base engine?

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Hey Edgedude...so glad you found us!

My preference would be a 380 or higher. This may help get you in the ball park though showing the 350 thru 430 horse numbers.

Is this your first Cobalt?

And welcome aboard mate!

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[VTENGR]

Does anyone have the time to plane and the top speed on the Volvo 300HP base engine?

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Hey Edgedude...so glad you found us!

My preference would be a 380 or higher. This may help get you in the ball park though showing the 350 thru 430 horse numbers.

Is this your first Cobalt?

And welcome aboard mate!

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I wonder if the numbers (specifcially time to plane) for the 350 in the R6 is wrong. The 350 in the R5 doesn't have such a huge swing between it and the 380 and 430. However in the R6 there's a 2 second gap. You would think it still would perform similar with respect to the other engines as it does in the R5.

[jhnmdahl]

VTENGR, I think you're right - time on plane should be very close for the 380 and 430. There are two lines for the 380, one at 2.9 seconds and one at 3.5 seconds. The line for the 430 has a different outdrive ratio and 3.8 seconds, maybe for a higher overall speed with the higher HP engine?