Engine question on 246 BR

[drmeff]

Hi there everyone!

I am looking into buying either a 2006 or 2008 246br and the ones I am looking at have three different engine choices but all the other options are very similar. The engines offered are the merc 350 mag, merc 6.2L, and merc 496 mag all with bravo 3 drives. I am a bit concerned that the 350 and 6.2 may be lacking a bit on torque and top end but I am not sure. I am used to boats in the 20 foot range with 4.3's and 5.0's and I went and test drove a searay sundeck 240 with a 5.0 and it was a dog! Is the 496 worth the extra money? It is about 3000 more than the 6.2L and I am not sure I would use the extra power enough to justify the price. Is there any other advantages to the bigger engine other than the power, reliability perhaps?

Thanks for any input!

[Dave M]

What is the main use of the boat going to be? If you tube and ski with a boat load of people the torque of the bigger motors is great, but if mainly cruise with the boat I would think 350 min.

I have a cap 212(21 ft.) with a 350. We can cruise around for a few days without needing fuel. It seems to be compairable to other boats we have owned with smaller engines, but if we do some seriuos pulling of tubes and skiers we'll go thru 30+ gallons of gas in 4 or 5 hours.  I have had 4 big guys weighing over 900 pounds on a single monster tube and was able to pull them up without any problems. nice to have that power when needed but never have done it since.

This was the only new boat we have owned. I order it the way I wanted it. I had a few dealers qoute me 2500 to 3000 dollars to upgrade to the 5.7 mpi from 5.0 mpi. Found a dealer we liked and was able to get the 5.7 for 1200 or 1500 more. Was told that was his price. The dealer tried to talk me into the 5.0 telling me it was a good fit for the boat and I would only gain about 2 to 3 mph according to his chart from rinker, but gave up saying if I got anything else I would probable always wish I got the 5.7.

With having extra power I can get onplain faster with a boat load of people and back out of the throttle. While pulling tubers I don't have to be as deep into the throttle to give a good ride which I feel is much easier on the motor. Just my opion hope it helps .  Dave

[earl1z19]

I have an 07 246cc with the 350 mag and b3.
I have a 24p propset on it. it is good for us as we do mostly cruise. With 6 people on board it still planes decently and most of all the fuel usage is minimal for a boat of this size.
Most 350 mags come with the 26p propset which would add to the planing time but increase the top end speed.
if you ski and tube with a bunch of people on board i may consider the larger motor.
Keep in mind there are very few times that you can run wide open but you can always cruise at slower speeds.

[Rinker342]

As mentioned by others, it kind of depends on how you plan to use the boat.  If it is just cruising and occasional tubing or skiing, I think either of the smaller engines will work great for you.  Given the choice, I would probably opt for the 6.2, just to have a little extra in my pocket.  The 8.1 is probably overkill unless you want to be the envy of others on the water.  It will probably scream!  I'd ask for a sea trial on the 6.2 and see how it performs.  Good luck with your decision!

[denniscarguy]

350mag, the others are just more money and use more fuel. I got the 350mag in my 08 246cc and it works great. When I ordered it the dealer said do not waste my money on extra horsepower and more cash for a seemingly unnoticable diff. I have tubed with a boat load and everyone had a great time. That is all that matters.

[mattie]

Great Boat! I had an '07' 246 BR with the Volvo Penta 350.

It had more than enough jam to ski, tube or whatever. Regardless of the number of people on board. Top-end was 53-54-55 mph on speedo.

By the way, perception that there wouldn't much difference from the 6.2L to the 8.1L. The difference is huge. It's not horsepower - it torque.

Aside: Last year I traded in a 3/4 ton Avalanche with the 8.1L - for a new Suburban with the 6.2L. The motors are vastly different.

"Red Rocket" on this board has the 8.1L in his 246. You might p.m. him to check on specific performance with the big block.

Mattie

[drmeff]

Thank you for all the input! The boat would mainly be a cruiser but there would almost always be 8-10 people on board. I am mainly concerned with getting up on plane more than top speed. It doesn't have to be a ROCKET but I would like it to get up and go pretty well!

[37pro]

I have a 2007 246cc w/6.2 bravo 3. We use the boat mostly for cruising and it has no problem getting on plane with a full tank and 8 people on board. It has 24 pitch props on it. Fuel usage we get about 18 hours out of 65 gallons.
 The boat really does come on plane quickly even with the full load and does not point the bow to the sky. With a bowrider you will also have the ability to put a couple people up front witch will help.
  Merc is very proud of the 6.2 going by the price upgrade. I bought it as a left over and that was the motor that was in it. I am very happy with the boat and motor combo. I would bet that you would be fine with the 350 mag but I haven't towed with a load. Good Luck, Eric

[Red Rockit]

By the way, perception that there wouldn't much difference from the 6.2L to the 8.1L. The difference is huge. It's not horsepower - it torque.



"Red Rocket" on this board has the 8.1L in his 246. You might p.m. him to check on specific performance with the big block.

Mattie

If a 350 can stay anywhere close to the 496 in this boat I would be shocked, and I'm not trying to be an a** about it.  I know a guy with a 30' outlaw and twin 454s, and he is positive I can stick with him, as am I.  We haven't tried it out, but said he can run almost 70, and I am running upper 60s.  It's those d*mn 38 Fountains I can't keep up with.

I sent him a PM.

[earl1z19]

I seriously doubt your boat with the 8.1 is running in the upper 60's.
I would check your spedo, oh wait it is being replaced at this time so maybe that is where the confusion lies.

[smunger]

Checking Boating World and Boattest.com for the 246 BR, they have 51 mph for the 350 and 57 mph for the 496.

Interesting, I have a 2005 R2 232 BR with a 6.2MX and max out at about 51 mph GPS.  Thought the 246 was quite a bit heavier.

[Red Rockit]

I seriously doubt your boat with the 8.1 is running in the upper 60's.
I would check your spedo, oh wait it is being replaced at this time so maybe that is where the confusion lies.

 

Your inferiority is showing justtttttttt a little.  


Let me guess..........You must go nuts when people say you should have bought a tundra instead of a titan?

[Red Rockit]

Checking Boating World and Boattest.com for the 246 BR, they have 51 mph for the 350 and 57 mph for the 496.

Interesting, I have a 2005 R2 232 BR with a 6.2MX and max out at about 51 mph GPS.  Thought the 246 was quite a bit heavier.

I need to get a GPS unit and figure it out.  If that thing is only running 57mph at top end I will be shocked.  I could be wrong though, and usually am.

[Texas232]

Checking Boating World and Boattest.com for the 246 BR, they have 51 mph for the 350 and 57 mph for the 496.

Interesting, I have a 2005 R2 232 BR with a 6.2MX and max out at about 51 mph GPS.  Thought the 246 was quite a bit heavier.

Smunger,
What does your speedo say when your GPS says 51?  I'm just curious, I have the same boat minus the R2 package and the 350, but the speedo says 52-53.  I just wonder how far off the speedos are?  I need to get a GPS I guess.

And as far as which engine to get, I would get the 496 for only $3000 more.  I doubt that you will ever say, "I wish I had less engine".

[smunger]

I don't have a speedo...just the Perfect Pass digital readout, which typically reads a bit slower than the GPS.  I'm running a 26p on the B3 and below 1000 feet I tap out at about 5100 to 5200 which seems right on.