need opinions

[jeff8330]

Im in a quest for a boat. I found a 1996 sweet 16. It is a 4.3l, pretty much cosmetically mint, 275 hrs. Unfortunatly the river is partially frozen and i cant water test it (just yet), but its a beautiful boat. white/red. What are the numbers for a 4.3 ? What should i expect ? Im little turned off at not having that small block rumble, but the price is right. It looks like its smaller than my 151ssv glastron, but i think thats just because its not a bowrider. Anyways, ideas? opinions ? Im mercruiser tech by trade, but is there anything particular to these boats i should look at ? I didnt look at the drive but im assuming alpha one, so the motor/drive combo i know where and what to look for, but theres always something i forget to check in my eager anticipation.

oh yeah he wants $6800 for it, im pretty sure i can get it for 6k :cool!:

[MOP]

IMO Grab it at that number the new enginen is paid for!

[oledawg]

Good price, boat should do 50 - 55 mph, think that it might have 220 hp, the V8 option "might" add 5 mph, has decent fuel usage, as I have said many times, "lots of smiles per hour" with this boat! Fun boat, not really a serious skier, although I am sure that it is done, this is a riding, driving boat. Keep all posted.:nilly:

[BUIZILLA]

Alpha or Volvo?

[The Hedgehog]

Fun little boat. I have skied many times behind one. It is not exactly a Ski Nautique but pulls out of the hole with authority.

[Rootsy]

Good price, boat should do 50 - 55 mph, think that it might have 220 hp, the V8 option "might" add 5 mph, has decent fuel usage, as I have said many times, "lots of smiles per hour" with this boat! Fun boat, not really a serious skier, although I am sure that it is done, this is a riding, driving boat. Keep all posted.:nilly:


The V8 options weren't even rated at 220 hp in 96 & 97

[oledawg]

I said "might have", don't know. Some engines some years had 2 barrels, some had 4 barrels, etc. Not even sure what the 302 V8 has. Where are the experts? I do know that the 4.3 is a strong, reliable engine.

[jeff8330]

yeah the 4.3s are good motors. This is an alpha setup. carb'd model. I know in automotive applications they were pretty potent, 190 hp or something like that. Its not a vortech motor im pretty sure. Either way, it runs like a top, ill try to get some pics sent down to me, but im in key west the boat is in toms river nj.

[Rootsy]

I said "might have", don't know. Some engines some years had 2 barrels, some had 4 barrels, etc. Not even sure what the 302 V8 has. Where are the experts? I do know that the 4.3 is a strong, reliable engine.


engine options in 96 were a 4.3 2V, 4.3 4V and a 350 2V (shortage of 305's is what I have been told). My 97 16 was a 350 2V rated 210 HP. Sam Pilato's 96 anniversary 16 is also a 350 2V boat, rated same HP.

[Last Tango]

I bought a brand new 1999 Classic 16 with the Mercury 4.3L, 2bbl. It was rated at 190 HP and came with an Alpha drive. It had a through-hull exhaust with Corsa tips from the factory. It topped out at 55 MPH on the speedo. No GPS reading to share.
I only had it 6 months before I moved up to a new (custom order) 2001 Classic 18 with MX6.2MPI, Bravo One Drive with Mirage Plus 23P 3bld prop and 1.5 reduction ratio, trim tabs, and eventually an EMI Thunder exhaust headed sytem. Also came stock with through-hull exhaust with Corsa tips, which I kept. That boat would always run well over 70 MPH on the GPS, with the final number dependent on that days water conditions and air temperature.