Handling characteristics

[Twistedsteel51]

We have a 2001 223 Ls with a 7.4 . Saturday,, I test drove a 2003 223 BR with a 6.2L with half a tank of fuel and 3 adults averaging around 220 pounds each and a small teenage girl. The Ls was full of fuel and as far as any extra option between the two boats the Ls has an air compressor and a on board wash down system that is empty. The BR only has a 3’ swim deck as an option. I’ve never operated the Ls with more than two adults averaging 220 pounds. Here’s the deal, the Br felt “lite” on the water. The Br didn’t feel planted in the water like the Ls does. Is the Br really that much lighter in that configuration? Br the owner said it has a 50 gallon tank so, we had twenty five gallons of fuel in the Br according to the owner. The Ls with a 75 gallon fuel and the 7.4 was full. Is the smaller engine of the Br with that much offense of weight in the back really gonna feel that much better in the water? Am I going to have to add Fatsacs to the Br to make it feel planted in the water? And no, I haven’t looked at the weight difference on the two boats to see what they weigh. I would like to add a wakeboard tower to the Br and that’s all. I want to buy the Br boat for our family so more family can come along but, I hated the ride.

[23Clubbing]

I cant tell you on that model as I have a 2004 226 with the 5.7. With 3/4 of a tank(50gallon) and 5 adults at 200lbs average more or less and the boat handles beautifully and surprisingly accelerates well too. With fairly rough water it topped out at 45mph but to me was understandable( I think 50mph is top speed) with that much weight and was still very nimble.

Chris