Is 5.0 enough engine?

[dperi]

I'm looking at a 2004 2400SE Maxum with a 5.0 Merc (with trim tabs). I'm concerned that the 5.0 is not enough engine for this boat. It's winter in Boston so a test drive is out of the question for now. I currently have a 2300SE Maxum with a 5.7 and like the performance. Any one have any experience with the 5.0 in the 2400SE Maxum?

[biggerseagar]

If you do any towing ( tubing,skiing etc) imho I think you will not be happy with the 5.0. The 5.0 will just be not enough. You are use to the 5.7 in your 23, stay with it.

Roger

[Phillbo]

I agree the 5.0 will most likely be under powered for the 2400 but don't rule the boat out until you have a chance to sea trial it.

I was concerned about the 6.2MPI in my 2500SE until I drove it. It's a rocket ship that planes well and is not lacking in power.

[mmwjr]

dperi you need to provide more information to answer this properly.

What HP is the current 5.7? What outdrive is it connected with? What is HP of the 5.0? What drive is it connected with? What is the typical number of passangers and how do you use the boat? Water sports?

If the current boat is a 5.7L with an Alpha and the new boat is a 5.0 EFI with a BIII, I feel the new boat will do as well or better with ~4 people.

If the current boat is 5.7LX or EFI than the 5.0 not matter what set up will have less pull. A prop change can adjust for this but at the loss of top end ~3 mph.

[SRPATTON]

That's exactly what I have. I put 8 people in it, it's no race horse but planes fairly quick. Tops out at 35 mph @ 4000 rpm. I'm a little over propoed with a !4.5X17.

[dperi]

Mike,

I don't do much in the way of water sports but do jump from fishing spot to fishing spot. I usually have 4 aboard.

Current boat is a 5.7L/2 bc with an Alpha 1 G2. It jumps up on plane quickly with no trim tabs but does have a whales tail.
I don't know HP of 5.0 MPI 2400SE but is has BIII outdrive.

[mmwjr]

dperi your 5.7L is rated at 250 HP and the 5.0 MPI is rated at 260 HP. The BIII will give you many advantages over the Alpha G2. Better hole shot, less wander, better fuel milage, ..

The trim tabs will help keep the bow down when getting onto plane and decrease time to plane. I think you will be very happy with the new boat.

What is it's condition? How many hours? If you don't know enough do you hae a friend who knows boats to check it out. Else a few hundered to haveit surveyed.

[shrew]

What do you primarily use the boat for? What speeds do you typically run at? How frequently and for how long? Questions like "Is this enough power for me?" are too vague. It's like asking if a 4 cycle vehicle will have enough power. Enough power for What? Getting Groceries? Yes. Towing a boat? No. It's all relatively. Tell us what you do with the boat and how you do it. If all you're doing is fishing then the entire Maxum line is not really suited for what you do with the boat.

[dperi]

Mike, I have been boating for 20+ years and do all my own repairs including replacing heads so I know a little about boats. The boat I'm looking at looks like new with 123 hours on the original 2004 engine. Just needed a little more info on the power package of the boat in question. Your reply was very helpful - thanks for your time.

Shrew, I know Maxums are not suited for fishing but I can't talk the wife into a fishing boat.

Thanks to all that have replied.

[oldno7]

dang--I wish I had been told prior to purchase that our boat wasn't suited for fishing....

I guess I have been wrong when I take off in the morning, trolling, with a pot of coffee cooking down in the galley.
Then stopping for a bit and having breakfast and resume fishing.
I guess I shouldn't have been fileting fish on the cockpit table, it seemed easy and convenient.

Just ribbing you, Shrew.
But seriously, I can think of no better set up for fishing a large lake than ours.
Not always the best for fishing but certainly rated high for creature comforts while fishing.

We have literally caught thousands of fish out of this boat.

[mmwjr]

no7 nice pictures showing her pair; of fish, no i mean the dogs, no what her shirt says.

Oh what the heck I get flustered when pairs are displayed ;-)

[mmwjr]

If you are hardcore fisherman than not the boat you want.

Can you fish, cruise, water sport; you bet.

[Bar Hopper]

Bar Hopper is a '95 2400scr with a 5.0 attached to an alpha 1 drive. We generally run with 4-6 on board. she gets up on plane rather quickly for a sport cruiser and tops out on the GPS at 35 mph with trim tabs in the neutral position (up) and drive down. I can squeeze 40mph out of her if I trim the drive up just a bit. currently running a 3 blade prop, looking to switch out to a 4 blade to help get her on plane quicker even though we will lose a bit of that top end speed. (not sure of the size and pitch of the prop, just haven't looked at it yet, I believe it is 15.5 x 17) Right now she wont get on plane under 2700rpm without the help of the trim tabs.

[shrew]

Originally Posted by dperi

Mike, I have been boating for 20+ years and do all my own repairs including replacing heads so I know a little about boats. The boat I'm looking at looks like new with 123 hours on the original 2004 engine. Just needed a little more info on the power package of the boat in question. Your reply was very helpful - thanks for your time.

Shrew, I know Maxums are not suited for fishing but I can't talk the wife into a fishing boat.

Thanks to all that have replied.

Great, but you still didn't address the more relavent portion of the question. What ARE you doing with the boat? What type of waters are you boating in and how do you typically run the boat? That is the info. that would really help answer the question. If you're putting from marina to anchorage to sit every weekend and enjoy the sun and water then it could be fine.

[cruz'r]

I have 2400 SCR (very much the same as 2400 SE) with 5.0 Merc, Alpha I Gen 2 stern. I'm very happy with the performance and gives the power I need..