Min HP for a Viper Coral 202?

[stikbo]

Guys- I'm looking at a Viper Coral 202 with a 150 EFI Merc on it. Is this underpowered? Thanks!

[DRush]

Don't know if this helps but, I had a 202 with a 200 EFI and it was more than enough. I would think the 150 would be the minimum but, it would probably work.
I would recommend a test drive to see for yourself before buying. Which prop does it have?

[Backlash Ar]

The recommended minimum horsepower rating for the 202 Viper Coral is 150hp. Viper listed the recommended HP for a 202 Coral as 150hp-225hp. It depends on what you're looking for in a boat but I think 150hp is a little underpowered for a Coral but that's just my personal opinion. As stated above, drive it and see if it meets your expectations.

[stikbo]

Thanks guys.

[AlanW]

Most all experienced bass boaters are going to say that boat is underpowered by todays standards, well, really even yesterday's standards.

I'd say a lot would depend on how you are going to use it and what kind of speed you will be satisified with. If you are planning to carry a lot of weight around, like lots of people sking or 3-4 batteries, TM, full livewells and gas tanks plus tons of fishing gear, you'll soon be wishing you had more power. Plus you will be working that 1-fiddity very, very hard trying to push a 20'1", 1,700 lb. boat-your gas mileage will be terrible.

On one hand, it's underpowered, but on the other hand, it's a Coral, possibly the best fish & ski boat ever made, they don't make them anymore, and they are getting hard to find. If you really like the boat, maybe you could re-power with a stronger engine down the line. It would not be hard to sell or trade in a 150 EFI in good shape.

[stikbo]

Good advice. I feel the 150 woud be fine for my uses. The lakes we fish don't require alot of running and have a speed limit anyway. Good point about overworking the 150 though. And I do wonder about resale down the road. The boat is priced about 3 thousand lower than what I've seen with 200 or 225 power which is what would be expected I presume. Appreciate the help.

[stikbo]

Guys- The boat is in GA and I have a friend in Atlanta that was going to look at it for me, but I think I'm going to pass and keep looking. Thanks! Drop me a line if you see one for sale in the next 6 months.

[AlanW]

It sounds like, in this case, your resale value would be a wash-the resale value would be less, but you're paying less up front.....

[stikbo]

True Alan. Boat is a '98 and he's asking $11,500. The prices I've seen the last few months are more like $14-15k. Sound about right? Thanks! Dan

[AlanW]

stikbo, In the used boat market about 6 or 7 months ago I would said that sounds a little too high for that boat & motor combo. Now, I don't know, prices may have shot up like everything else. Since I'm not in the market, I haven't been paying much attention to used boat prices.

I'm pretty sure the cost of fiberglass resins & related stuff have gone way up since they are oil-based, so new boat prices are probably up (like they could go much higher).
That sometimes but not always causes used prices to go up some.
Good Luck with whatever you do.

[stikbo]

Thanks for the feedback Alan.

[BKeef]

11500 sounds high. Shop around...
Not many Cobras out there but sounds like you might be able to get more boat for that much money

BK

[cutter_33]

I have a Coral 202 with a Optimax 225. The boat will do 60 with the family or about 68 when going fishing with one other person. The key is what do you want to do with the boat. I love the boat, a great layout for fishing and the family and I have suprised many pure bass boats when leaving the dock on a tournement.

[stikbo]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I'm still looking. There are 10 Corals for sale right now that I know of. Priced from $11.5-16k.

The 150efi would be fine for me here. We have a 40mph speed limit on all Colorado waters. Resale would certainly be hurt, but the way you guys all brag about them I probably wouldn't sell it anyway right?

Thanks again. Appreciate it.