On Mon, 15 Dec 2003 13:27:22 -0500, Slambram
wrote:
Opinions wanted. I'm considering two used boats - a 2000 Rinker 232
Captiva Cuddy and a 2001 Crownline 230 CCR cuddy. Here's the dilema,

1. The Crownline is more desireable to me because it seems to be one
of the largest cuddy cruisers before moving into the aft-cabins.
However, power on the used ones seems to be a bit marginal at best.
One i'm interested in has the Merc 5.7 EFI 260HP / Bravo III. Dry
weight is approx. 4500 lbs.

2. The Rinker is smaller, but always seems to have decent engine
packages. The one i'm interested in has the Merc 5.7 Mag MPI / Bravo
III with thru-hull (switchable to thru-hub) exhaust. Dry weight is
approx. 4200. lbs.


Although dry weight says they're not much different, the Crownline
seems substantially bigger than the Rinker. My question is, what kind
of speed and, just as importantly, fuel economy differences will i see
between these two boats? In the boats i've seen it in, the 5.7 Mag
gets surprising economy as well as packs a good punch.

==================================================

If you cruise at 70% of wide open throttle RPM (WOT), fuel usage on
the 260 hp will run about 13 gph regardless of the boat. I have one
on a 5,000 lb Winner 24 I/O and that's what I use. If my memory is
correct, the 5.7 Mag is rated at 300 hp. If so, it will burn about 15
gph at 70% of WOT. 70% of WOT on either engine should be about 3400
RPM if the propeller is right for the boat.

Speed is more difficult to predict but my my boat cruises at 24 to 25
knots lightly loaded and with a clean bottom.