Engine size for R3

[ACM]

We're looking to build an R3, and was wondering what engine size you recommend. I know everyone always says the largest is best, but we're not looking to be the fastest on the lake. We just want one big enough to tow skiers, tubers, wakeboarders, and have about 6 people in the boat.
Thanks!!!

[Richie]

I am in the same situation, I will watch to see what other owners say. I’m leaning towards 380 Volvo or 430 Mercury.

[cmattj]

The value is there in end for resale. So ask yourself would you spend another 10k knowing the enjoyment and 70% resale on return on the 10K upgrade during your ownership?

Volvo 430 is a great package and will reward you with the weight you describe. Its the cruise speed that will make you happy your getting somewhere with ease and not screaming its brains out.

Mercs 8.2HO package still has a different camshaft profile, that with added Captains call exhaust will sound fun at idle and at all speeds.

Its already expensive.. knock your self out!

[Big Block Power]

I am in the same situation, I will watch to see what other owners say. I’m leaning towards 380 Volvo or 430 Mercury.

I like this guy!!go 430 or go home!!

Really the 350 does a good job. But do you want good or great?

[ACM]

I am in the same situation, I will watch to see what other owners say. I’m leaning towards 380 Volvo or 430 Mercury.

I like this guy!!go 430 or go home!!

Really the 350 does a good job. But do you want good or great?

I'm looking for inexpensively great!!!

[ACM]

I am in the same situation, I will watch to see what other owners say. I’m leaning towards 380 Volvo or 430 Mercury.

I was even wondering if the VP 350 would be enough, but it's sounding like probably not.

[Snowman8]

I am in the same situation, I will watch to see what other owners say. I’m leaning towards 380 Volvo or 430 Mercury.

I was even wondering if the VP 350 would be enough, but it's sounding like probably not.

The VP 350 would be enough, especially for an R3 but who wants just enough?! I had an awesome deal on our R5 with a stock VP380 so I took it and loce it but it’s always in the back of my mind how I wanted the Merc 430... Now its always in the back of my mind about how I can turn my VP380 up into a 430!! Seriously who knows what I have to do to make that happen??? Now I’m off to go hookup my good enough 2014 R5 VP380 to the truck and head to the river for the day!

[BobRae99]

I am in the same situation, I will watch to see what other owners say. I’m leaning towards 380 Volvo or 430 Mercury.

I was even wondering if the VP 350 would be enough, but it's sounding like probably not.

I have the VP350 and it is more than enough. Actually, if you look at the torque/hp curves for the 300/350 you can see why many dealer stock boats sell with the 300. The engines follow the same curve until around 4,500 rpm then for the last bit the 300 flattens and the 350 climbs another 50 hp. That, plus a different prop provides another few mph.

This is my second Cobalt and I spoke to the dealer and someone at Cobalt about power choice. There was no question I was ordering a boat so no reason to lie and say the 300 or 350 was adequate to get me to a price point - they both said the 300 would be fine and if I regularly carried a full boat the 350 would a margin of additional performance. They both felt the 380 was unnecessary. I kept reading opinions here right up to the order lock date and just to be sure I wasn’t having second thoughts the dealer called me to double confirm the engine choice. He again said the 380 was unnecessary. That is what I ordered and have been completely satisfied.

My advice, if you are concerned, water test an R3 with both engines. Reading advice on a forum is useful to a point, but no substitute for a test drive.

[jhnmdahl]

I'm in the minority thinking the big engine (380 or 430, which behave very similarly below about 4000 rpm) is more than is needed for the R3 - I'd order a VP 350 and DP outdrive. Part of it is that we simply don't run at wide open throttle much if at all - a lot more cruising from place to place at 3000-3500 rpm to keep mileage efficiency reasonable and enjoy the ride. Also, our "big" lake in town has a 40mph speed limit that is sometimes enforced, so paying a lot extra to top out at 55 instead of 52 isn't worth it for us.

John

[Big Block Power]

I am in the same situation, I will watch to see what other owners say. I’m leaning towards 380 Volvo or 430 Mercury.

I was even wondering if the VP 350 would be enough, but it's sounding like probably not.

I have the VP350 and it is more than enough. Actually, if you look at the torque/hp curves for the 300/350 you can see why many dealer stock boats sell with the 300. The engines follow the same curve until around 4,500 rpm then for the last bit the 300 flattens and the 350 climbs another 50 hp. That, plus a different prop provides another few mph.

This is my second Cobalt and I spoke to the dealer and someone at Cobalt about power choice. There was no question I was ordering a boat so no reason to lie and say the 300 or 350 was adequate to get me to a price point - they both said the 300 would be fine and if I regularly carried a full boat the 350 would a margin of additional performance. They both felt the 380 was unnecessary. I kept reading opinions here right up to the order lock date and just to be sure I wasn’t having second thoughts the dealer called me to double confirm the engine choice. He again said the 380 was unnecessary. That is what I ordered and have been completely satisfied.

My advice, if you are concerned, water test an R3 with both engines. Reading advice on a forum is useful to a point, but no substitute for a test drive.

Im sure none of us ok me! recommended the 350 or 380 for you Bob. I'm pretty sure it was always the 430
OH and what is he getting in his next boat
Enough said!

[tgrace98]

Get the most motor in your budget. If I was ordering a boat today it would be an r5 with the vp430 or merc 8.2 ho.

No regrets on the 380 in my r7 as she is a big wake crushing girl. Going 430 in it gained me 2mph. So it wasn’t worth the 11k

[Richie]

I am in the same situation, I will watch to see what other owners say. I’m leaning towards 380 Volvo or 430 Mercury.

I like this guy!!go 430 or go home!!

Really the 350 does a good job. But do you want good or great?

I think if you have the cash to buy a R series Cobalt, the extra for the larger engines is a no brainer. The prop charts show a huge difference, the 380 VP looks quick to plane. Anyone have a 430 R3?

[Big Block Power]

I am in the same situation, I will watch to see what other owners say. I’m leaning towards 380 Volvo or 430 Mercury.

I like this guy!!go 430 or go home!!

Really the 350 does a good job. But do you want good or great?

I think if you have the cash to buy a R series Cobalt, the extra for the larger engines is a no brainer. The prop charts show a huge difference, the 380 VP looks quick to plane. Anyone have a 430 R3?

I don't know who has one in a r3. But if it was me I might drop a pitch on the 430 and you would have one hell of a rocket ship. Just saying. I hate these prop charts. Yes they give you a good idea for 1 person some gas. Now load it up like you are going to use it the larger engine changes everything. They wouldn't sell a larger engine if it wasn't better. Yes all the engines will work. We all have a diff feeling of being satisfied. The 380 is great and more than enough for Anything but if you want more and you can afford more then you have another option. I still would like to line up a 430 VP and a 430 Merc. Also the 6.2 will be screaming at you at wot where the 8.2 BB says keep pushing me baby I like this!!

[Richie]

I like this guy!!go 430 or go home!!

Really the 350 does a good job. But do you want good or great?

I think if you have the cash to buy a R series Cobalt, the extra for the larger engines is a no brainer. The prop charts show a huge difference, the 380 VP looks quick to plane. Anyone have a 430 R3?

I don't know who has one in a r3. But if it was me I might drop a pitch on the 430 and you would have one hell of a rocket ship. Just saying. I hate these prop charts. Yes they give you a good idea for 1 person some gas. Now load it up like you are going to use it the larger engine changes everything. They wouldn't sell a larger engine if it wasn't better. Yes all the engines will work. We all have a diff feeling of being satisfied. The 380 is great and more than enough for Anything but if you want more and you can afford more then you have another option. I still would like to line up a 430 VP and a 430 Merc. Also the 6.2 will be screaming at you at wot where the 8.2 BB says keep pushing me baby I like this!!

Does anyone ever heard or researched what is the stronger motor the 430 VP or Mercury 430? I’m going the 430 route in a R3. Love you hear feedback on both?

[cmattj]

Also the 6.2 will be screaming at you at wot where the 8.2 BB says keep pushing me baby I like this!!

Ok... one more time for the performance peeps.

Hell I’d just sit at the dock idling with a lemonade.