2012 SAN 230 Engine Size

[scottb7]

I have heard for cars and boats, both that theory...bigger engine works LESS hard then smaller, better economy. Never seen it happen for me...Bigger engine worse economy.

[grnking]

IMO two things you never want to be underpowered 1. Is a boat 2. Is a airplane!!

[eff1fitty]

Great point! Although, I would think in the matter of importance, airplane should be first on that short list.

[ccs]

I wonder if the fuel economy is better with the larger engine as well. It may not be working so hard.

----- cant imagine buyers are really worried about "fuel economy" when buying and running $100,000 + toys

I have the 409 in our 2012 SANTE 230 --- love it.

[tdc_worm]

naturally aspirated small block engines are always going to give you small block torque. the excal and the z engines are all small blocks. their peak power and torque differences are at a much higher rpm than we typically run our boats. if you want a different torque curve, get forced induction or a big block. MC went back to the 7.4L for their new X Star, PCM would be wise to offer a similar engine.

anecdotaly, i have run identical 210s and 220s with both engines with 2k plus ballast on top. with the appropriate prop (a $500 investment vs the $5k+ upcharge of the engine upgrade), they performed identically.

at the end of the day, you are buying a CC because you expect a certain level of performance and quality. you have to ask yourself, would CC risk that reputation by offering a package (i.e. 230 w/ an Excal) that underperformed compared to the competition? as for the resale, i havent seen the engine upgrade dollars invested back in the resale of any of my boats.

[Neverenough]

I agree Nautique is not going build a boat that will not perform.Lets face it they have become who they are for having a superior product. However one thing to consider on the two engines. Isn't the exc an standard roller small block and does it have closed cooling?The ZR is an LS series engine which is basically what new GM trucks have had for 10years. I see many of these LS trucks with hundreds of thousands of miles on them. I believe that the LS is going to provide more hours use before rebuild. Also the closed cooling would offer much better corrosion protection.
i have an older 375 ZR with a little over 400 hours use. I can be loaded with ballast and people and still get on plane quick and run out really good. Sometimes you have move arround our lake to get the best water and we will haul butt to the clean water without dumping ballast. Buddy of mine has a moomba that's newer than my boat. Not sure which power company the boat has in it, but it's the old small block with 330 HP. He struggles when his boat is loaded.

[ericchile]

I have the 409 with CES. It is fully closed cooling. It is quicker to winterize, not to mention I live and boat at 6500 feet. I was looking for used with low hours at a great price. But I also wanted the ZR409 motor to compensate for the elevation and for the ease in winterization. Took a while but I found my boat.

[swankster]

The largest dealer of Nautiques, and 230s, in the country gets the 343 for all of their stock boats...

We will put about 2000 over stock on occasion and the 343 handles it just fine....And for those worried about resale, I even made a few bucks on my last 230...Though I am sure the resale may be different in other parts of the country, down here in Texas, with Buxton gettign all 343s, you see a lot more of them than 409s...

I bought the Buxton stock boat with the 343. The only time I wish I had more is when we load it with 1800lb of ballast over and above the factory. Other that that the boat performs great.