343 vs. 450 Engine Fuel Ecomomy

[thetrain97]

Okay, I am looking to purchase my first Nautique. I am looking at several different 210's, but looks like probably an '09 or '10. I have a dealer telling me that I am going to get better fuel economy with the 450 as it would be running at lower rpm's. This is contray to everything that I have experienced with bigger motors in cars/trucks. Usually the bigger motor gets worse fuel economy. He indicated that a boat motor is always under load and that also accounts for the difference.

Does anyone have experience with different motor sizes on the same hulls to tell me if this is true or not? I mostly wakeboard with stock ballast. However, we do occasionally surf and just cruise around as well.

Any insight would be appreciated.

[skiinxs]

Okay, I am looking to purchase my first Nautique. I am looking at several different 210's, but looks like probably an '09 or '10. I have a dealer telling me that I am going to get better fuel economy with the 450 as it would be running at lower rpm's. This is contray to everything that I have experienced with bigger motors in cars/trucks. Usually the bigger motor gets worse fuel economy. He indicated that a boat motor is always under load and that also accounts for the difference.

Does anyone have experience with different motor sizes on the same hulls to tell me if this is true or not? I mostly wakeboard with stock ballast. However, we do occasionally surf and just cruise around as well.

Any insight would be appreciated.

I can't comment on the 450, but I do believe that the 409 burns considerably less fuel than the 343 the way I use my boats. The 409 is the same engine as the 450 with a few different parts and tuning. If you take both and run them wide open, the 409/450 will certainly burn more fuel, but that is not the way I use my boats. The 6-liter (409/450) is a much more modern engine, better (more efficient) head design. If I run the same props, the 409 uses less fuel. I can also run a higher pitched prop with the 409, causing even better fuel efficiency.
Dave

[scottb7]

I can't speak for Nautique's but I can tell you that a boat dealer told me the exact same thing when I traded in a 4.3 v6 for 5.0 liter v8 and it was so NOT true. Not that I care I like the 8. I think that is what they say when the boat they want to sell you has the bigger engine.