Anyone been behind a Sport with the 260hp engine?

[singing skiier]

I'm looking at a 2000 sport with the 4 Barrrel carburated 351 PCM engine rated at 260 hp. I've seen some of you talk about how you love this engine even over later fuel injected engines. However; as far as I can tell you are referring to the engine in a Ski Nautique. I've also heard that the 5.0 275 horse in those years was a dog in this boat. I'm curious how well the 260 hp engine pulls slalom skiers, handles with 6-8 in the boat, wake boarding, etc. Anything would help me make my decision. I realize its not a GT-40, Apex or Python and I also know those engines wouldn't have any issues...but this is the boat at hand and I need to make a decision. This will be a boat that I put elbow grease into along with some upholstery and try to re-sell.

[xlair]

No haven't been in one personally. I imagine you could put GT-40 heads on that engine and get it to 285 HP.

Make no mistake with only 260 hp you are going to be wanting a bit on the holeshot if you have 6-8 people in the boat. However, a lot can probably be fixed by going to a better 3 blade acme prop with a lower pitch. Top speed will suffer but unless you are footin that may not matter.

Really best to test drive.

[s_kelley2000]

I agree with what Xlair said about easily adding HP with GT40P heads and getting more low end punch with the right prop. Since it sounds like you are trying clean this boat up and flip it you may want to look for one with EFI. For that year boat most people are going to expect EFI so you might have some trouble trying to sell it. That is a good strong motor but a lot of potential buyers might avoid it just because they would rather not have to deal with potential carb issues.

[swc5150]

I agree with kelley. There are a couple of people who like carbs, but I think those are the gearheads who are great at making them perform well. Me, and most buyers I believe, don't have the time or patience to deal with maintaining a carb. EFI has been around so long now, that they're commonplace in the used market, so I see no point in buying a carb'd boat. For a flip, you're simply lowering your market universe.

[slob02]

Had a 1993 Sport with 240hp...1:1trans........ Did about everything we wanted with it. Course, barefoot, wakeboard (3,000k total ballast). Sure, it could have use a little more HP, but it got the job done. AND in Nautique style!!

[CradGen2]

I had that boat as my first demo in 2000. Unless you are going to load it up with ballast you will be fine. Tough resell with that motor but it will sell.

[singing skiier]

By the way, bought the boat, and it does as you said! Very strong out of the hole, 41 mph max. Haven't had any problems once I got the carb over-hauled and tuned. Great motor.