Based on this alone, it sounds like the 350 would be enough! I thought 250 hp was enough for my R. In fact if you search you might find a post where I mumbled something about even being okay with less at one time. Keep in mind if you run this at full throttle, you'll burn a gallon every two minutes!! That and you won't be very popular with anyone other than kids while you're doing it. The driver is usually the only one truly enjoying WOT, at least in my experience anyway! With a 400 or 425 it will burn 25% to 30% MORE but will NOT give you 25% more speed! Less than 1/2 that I'm sure, possibly only a few more mph.
Nautical,
That was a very well written post. Now, not all people operate boats, no matter almost what kind of boat, in the same manor. I'm not made out of money, never have been, never will be. So, while we did spend more on this boat than we've done for several of our cars/trucks/motorcycles etc. over the last several years, I still take notice of our fuel use, just to be efficient and yet still have fun. And that means we run at about 30-35 mph for probably around 85-95% of the time. It's INSANELY RARE that I open her up to full throttle. I might, MIGHT open up to WOT once every other trip out. And that's for about 1-2 minutes max.
To me, the advantage of having the larger motor is the use of POWER if and when you need it. 99.9999% of boating is Leasure. But, there's always a chance you need to "get out of Dodge" in a hurry for some odd reason. Plus, when the boat gets loaded up with humanoids, the extra power is there to help with more leisurely cruising, with out working the snot out of a lesser power engine. And, you're definitely right about the primary ones that get a "rush" out of WOT are KIDS, for the most part. KIDS, are not paying for FUEL, I AM!!! Again, nicely written and great logic.
Scott
But they are great motors. For the most part 99% of people on these forums love their motors! It is amazing how reliable these motors are compared to 30 to 40 years ago.
Alicedream,
We've had 6 boats in our boating career over about 36+ years. And this is our first outboard motor. The wife really wanted an in-out motor on our next boat. She thought because the engine would be lower and tucked in, under the rear floor, there would be more room for sun deck and lounging on the tail. And, that it would be easier to climb back on the boat from the water, without that engine in the way. Well, yeah, there's some merit to that point. But, the cost of that is, it's incredibly tough to work on an in-out in a pontoon. And that makes it EXPENSIVE. Not saying that a shop working on an outboard is all that much cheaper either. And besides, there's plenty of room to climb back on that boat, using the provided extendable ladder. Anyway, yes, this motor, the F350 Yamaha we have, is one seriously strong motor. And, IT'S MASSIVE on the back of that boat. Everyone that pops over to see our new boat is flabergasted when they come around to the back and see that MONSTER on there.
Scott
