350 in a R7 - seeking owner input

[pwjoshua]

I have a lead on a 2019 R7 with a Volvo 350. Everything I have read on here says to get the largest engine possible. That makes sense, but for those that own a R7 with a 350, have you been happy? Has it been enough or have you wished for a 380? I also have a lead on a 2015 R7 with a 380, but it has 365 hours (vs 80 on the 2019). The 2019 is $150 vs $120 on 2015.

[Table Rockin]

I don’t have the 350 but my guess is it “works” just fine unless you have a boat full of people and also trying to do water sports. Will also ding you on resale potentially. Your future buyers are going to be asking the same questions you are right now. Personally I wouldn’t go lower than the 380. Nothing kills the joy of a beautiful boat more than it being underpowered.

[Snowman8]

I don’t have the 350 but my guess is it “works” just fine unless you have a boat full of people and also trying to do water sports. Will also ding you on resale potentially. Your future buyers are going to be asking the same questions you are right now. Personally I wouldn’t go lower than the 380. Nothing kills the joy of a beautiful boat more than it being underpowered.

I couldn’t have said it better.

[tgrace98]

I have the 380 in mine and I wouldn't want anything less. Planes just fine with a boat load of people and will still hit low 50's with just me and the wife in the boat. loaded up upper 40's. So my guess would be the 350 would be a mid 40's boat top speed. While I know people do not drive at top speed all the time. That would make you want to cruise in the 350 at about 25-30mph to not really be working the motor hard in the 350. Wit

[pwjoshua]

Thanks all. Seems 380 might be the way to go.

[VTENGR]

Seems logical to go with the 380 if all things were equal. However is the upgrade to the 380 really worth getting a boat that's 4 years older and a lot more wear and tear due to the higher hours?

[Krob1114]

I have the stock 300 in a R3. No problems.
If I had the added weight and capacity of a R5, I'd want a 350 minimum.
If I had the same logic on a R7, I'd want 380 minimum.

[pwjoshua]

Seems logical to go with the 380 if all things were equal. However is the upgrade to the 380 really worth getting a boat that's 4 years older and a lot more wear and tear due to the higher hours?

This is the question! We don’t need speed, but will be skiing and tubing with family (usually 5, but up to 10 people) so do we need a 380 for this or can we get by with a newer, cleaner 350 (albeit for ~$25-30k more)?

[Table Rockin]

I’d just wait for a better option personally. Don’t rush a buy with a smaller engine.

[Snowman8]

What Table Rockin said! Tubes pull hard! Especially with a bunch of people on board. I turned down a screaming deal on a really nice Sea Ray 250 SLX because it had a 350 mag 300hp engine a year before I bought our R5. That boat was a real slug with just 4 people in the boat! It was new and really cheap but the small engine is why.

All I can say is if you can give it a sea trial put as many people in it and see what you think. For some it would be fine but for most of us on hear we vote bigger is better!

[BrightIdea]

Please excuse the late response. I bought a 2018 R7 with Volvo Penta 350 and have put about 50 hours on it, OEM props, no trim tabs. I'm the guy that if I bought the 380, would feel I might have missed out on the 430 performance, so buying an R7 with a 350 was a stretch. In short, I have no regrets. The boat feels quick and tops out at 51 MPH (redline). The only time I can feel some drag on the engine is with more than 6 adults in the boat and even then it climbs out well. We have not pulled tubes or skiers so I can see where a boat load pulling water toys might show performance lags, but the 350 has enough torque (and speed) to handle Lake Michigan boating distance and extreme conditions. If I read the torque curves correctly, the 380 has only about 10% more torque than the 350 so if you need more power, I would look to the 430.

[drtbar]

BrightIdea, welcome to a fellow West Michigander!

Since your post refreshed this thread, I'm sure there are others in addition to myself that are curious what pwjoshua decided.

[AsLan7]

Please excuse the late response. I bought a 2018 R7 with Volvo Penta 350 and have put about 50 hours on it, OEM props, no trim tabs. I'm the guy that if I bought the 380, would feel I might have missed out on the 430 performance, so buying an R7 with a 350 was a stretch. In short, I have no regrets. The boat feels quick and tops out at 51 MPH (redline). The only time I can feel some drag on the engine is with more than 6 adults in the boat and even then it climbs out well. We have not pulled tubes or skiers so I can see where a boat load pulling water toys might show performance lags, but the 350 has enough torque (and speed) to handle Lake Michigan boating distance and extreme conditions. If I read the torque curves correctly, the 380 has only about 10% more torque than the 350 so if you need more power, I would look to the 430.

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Yes thanks for your input BI. So glad you found us.

Would love to see a pic or two.

And welcome aboard mate!

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[BrightIdea]

Here you go.... AsLan7.... it had 107 hours and one scratch on it that I could find before it was buffed and waxed. It's been a great boat.

[AsLan7]

Here you go.... AsLan7.... it had 107 hours and one scratch on it that I could find before it was buffed and waxed. It's been a great boat.

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Great set up. Love the color too.

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