1998 330 Express Cruiser with 6.2L 350's - Is it enough?

[Pat Mustico]

First time, newbie poster! I have the opportunity to buy a friend of a friend's, 1998 330 Express Cruiser with new (75 hours - two years) 6.2L 350 HP engines. Is that enough power? Do they have enough torque? The boat is about 16,000 pounds.

I intend to use the boat to cruise the sounds of the Outer Banks, NC or in the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay but head about 20 miles offshore through the Oregon Inlet a few times a month to fish. Weather changes fast and I intend to pick my days, but mother nature is fickle.

Any thoughts and advice is welcome.

 

[Gofirstclass]

I had two different 330DA's (one got totaled by a BUI), both had 5.7L 350's. Those were great engines for that boat. It got on plane easily, cruised nicely and got decent fuel economy.

A friend had the same boat with 454's. He could cruise about 1.5mph faster but got far less fuel economy.

You won't be sorry getting a boat with 5.7's.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Are those the new (produced in house) Mercruiser 6.2L's? If so, those are even better! Those are great engines!

 

[Pat Mustico]

I had two different 330DA's (one got totaled by a BUI), both had 5.7L 350's. Those were great engines for that boat. It got on plane easily, cruised nicely and got decent fuel economy.

A friend had the same boat with 454's. He could cruise about 1.5mph faster but got far less fuel economy.

You won't be sorry getting a boat with 5.7's.

Thanks. This is the Amberjack version... 13.5 beam, 21 degree at the transom and heavier. But close enough for comparison.

 

[Pat Mustico]

Are those the new (produced in house) Mercruiser 6.2L's? If so, those are even better! Those are great engines!

Yes! New out of the box a couple years ago. I'm worried more about torque and getting on plane.

 

[Golfman25]

Thanks. This is the Amberjack version... 13.5 beam, 21 degree at the transom and heavier. But close enough for comparison.

you will have the advantage of the engines being forward vs the sundancers. I think an extended sea trial would be in order to see if you like the performance.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Yes! New out of the box a couple years ago. I'm worried more about torque and getting on plane.

If GFC was happy with the performance from his 5.7L... you'll be golden. These 6.2's from Merc have much torque on hand and available at lower RPM's - a lot like a big block would have. Merc designed these from the ground up to be marine-specific. That's a heck of a find to have a nice boat like you're looking at with THOSE engines!

 

[Stee6043]

Thanks. This is the Amberjack version... 13.5 beam, 21 degree at the transom and heavier. But close enough for comparison.

Are you certain it's not an EC - Express Cruiser? I only see Sundancers and Express Cruisers listed in the Sea Ray model archive for 1998.

 

[Golfman25]

Are you certain it's not an EC - Express Cruiser? I only see Sundancers and Express Cruisers listed in the Sea Ray model archive for 1998.

Amberjack and EC are interchangeable. Basically the same thing.

 

[Golfman25]

If GFC was happy with the performance from his 5.7L... you'll be golden. These 6.2's from Merc have much torque on hand and available at lower RPM's - a lot like a big block would have. Merc designed these from the ground up to be marine-specific. That's a heck of a find to have a nice boat like you're looking at with THOSE engines!

I'm not sure that is 100% true. While the 6.2 was designed as a replacement for the no longer available 7.4 big blocks, I think the torque curve is different. From what I understand, got to get the RPMs up on those engines.

 

[Lazy Daze]

I'm not sure that is 100% true. While the 6.2 was designed as a replacement for the no longer available 7.4 big blocks, I think the torque curve is different. From what I understand, got to get the RPMs up on those engines.

That's a totally different engine that you're talking about. This is a new(er) 6.2L.

 

[Scott215]

6.2 is will have plenty of power

 

[Pat Mustico]

you will have the advantage of the engines being forward vs the sundancers. I think an extended sea trial would be in order to see if you like the performance.

Thanks. That is probably the right solution. I keep trying to talk myself into them because they are new.

 

[Scott215]

Engines are a huge expense considering yours are new I would jump on that

 

[Golfman25]

Thanks. That is probably the right solution. I keep trying to talk myself into them because they are new.

There is no replacement for displacement.

 

[Golfman25]

That's a totally different engine that you're talking about. This is a new(er) 6.2L.

Sure, but I don't think they would be able to completely replicate the performance of the 7.4 big blocks. The torque/power curves will be different.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Sure, but I don't think they would be able to completely replicate the performance of the 7.4 big blocks. The torque/power curves will be different.

They may very well beat it. That old adage of no replacement for displacement just isn't valid anymore. I used to say the same thing for the longest time - but I've been proven wrong too many times with the newer engines (cars, too).

 

[Pat Mustico]

Are you certain it's not an EC - Express Cruiser? I only see Sundancers and Express Cruisers listed in the Sea Ray model archive for 1998.

It is an Express Cruiser correct. Often referenced to a the Amberjack in these years I think.

 

[Pat Mustico]

They may very well beat it. That old adage of no replacement for displacement just isn't valid anymore. I used to say the same thing for the longest time - but I've been proven wrong too many times with the newer engines (cars, too).

This my dilemma!

 

[Golfman25]

This my dilemma!

As I said, you'll need to try it out. Make sure you do some in harbor, slow speed maneuvering, docking and such. That's where you'll appreciate the torque or lack thereof.