I'm contemplating purchasing a new Malibu boat. I live in Washington state but it appears that I can buy a new boat in California for about $ 5,000 cheaper. The 340 is only available in CA and has a different intake and exhaust manifold in addition to a catalytic converter. What's the smart choice, should I stay away from the 340 if I don't need the zero emissions. Is the 340 going to be more trouble or costly in the next few years for me. Looking for some friendly advice??

340 is the way to go. You must be looking at an 08'. Did you go in and talk to Bret V at bakes yet?

But now you're telling me to go get the boat in CA cause most, if not all the Malibu's in WA, OR and ID all come with the 320! All the boats in CA have the 340 cause it's the standard motor down there. They can't get a 320 in CA.

What boat and year are you talking about getting?

Malibu vRide, 2007 or 2008.

Get the 340, if you add any weight you wont regret it.

If you could get the 340 engine plus a better deal I'd be all over it. <BR> <BR>I thought you were looking at VLX's for some reason.

320 is fine in a 05-08 vride, reprop if you add any extra weight

So neither of you has any concern with the catalytic converter or the different manifolds on the boat and the fact that it's a motor developed for California boats specifically with regard to zero emissions. <BR> <BR>(Message edited by puamana on October 31, 2008)

Jack, it is important to let the people here know that you don't plan on using any ballast. You are going to use the boat for cruising. The 340 is not going to do anything for you. <BR> <BR>Did you talk to Bret at Bakes yet? Do yourself a favor and talk to him before you actually make a decision. <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>(Message edited by polarbill on October 31, 2008)

"So neither of you has any concern with the catalytic converter or the different manifolds on the boat" <BR> <BR>Nope still runs strong and good on gas.

I would rather have the 320 in your case. You don't need the extra power. I personally don't think the catalytic converters are proven yet. I have heard of a few problems with all the sensors they have to put on them. It is just more crap to go wrong.

Jack I dont mean to sound rude but you need to do your research a little better 90% of the boats at bakes have the 340. almost all the used boats in WA. Right now have the 340 or the hammer head. Like brett said I would call and talk to Brett V. @ bakes. he has what your looking for and if 5k is all your saving which is more like 2K after you get it up here from cali. It might not be worth it. the 340 is a good motor I have it and wouldnt change it. The cats are nice and will soon be requierd across the country. <BR> <BR>(Message edited by liljohn on October 31, 2008)

I have the 340 Monsoon here in Washington state. It's got about 250 hrs on it &amp; I haven't had any issues (yet... crossing my fingers). I was under the impression the Monsoon had a bit more torque. But if all your doing is cruising, then the 320 should be fine. <BR> <BR>(Message edited by bill_airjunky on October 31, 2008)

John, you are right that 90% of their boats have the 340 or bigger but all their vrides have the 320.

Thank you brett I stand corrected.

I have a 04 VLX with the LCR 320 and I haven't had any problems at all with lots of weight in it. <BR> <BR>My friend has the exact same boat with the 340 Monsoon and we can't tell the difference.

The 340 has aprox. 15 more ft. lbs. of torque than the 320. That is right from the Indmar manual in my office. They do not list torque on the web site. 320 with a 14x14 prop and you are set.

Bret you should be selling not looking at manuals, werent' you paying attention today!

Wrong Bret

Umm hello there MR. Liberty Lake... Look who's talking ... he he he =) <BR> <BR>Maybe you should be looking at your owners manual and seeing what to do about some blisters !!! ohhhhhhh !!!!!!

Blisters, those are speed fractures. Not sure you understand an X15 not only throws a fat wake it also goes 200 mph...Superior engineering.

WOW, that new M-craft dealer must really have some smooth talkers if they have you believing <BR>that... Did they attend that class today also.. <BR> <BR>Can I sell you some ocean front property??

I can believe you got 200mph out of your x15. When blisters pop you dont know what kind of explosion your going to get. <img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/lol.gif" border=0>

Jack - I am a huge fan of the 340 with CAT. The CAT is <b>not the only</b> upgrade that Indmar includes with the 340. <BR> <BR>You also get a much better and efficient fuel injection control system. The engine runs much leaner than the 320. You can really tell from the smell and $$$ when you fill up. If you do any wakesurfing this is as much of a "must have" as speed control is to wakeboarding. <BR> <BR>90 amp alternator is upgraded from a 70 amp in the 320. This is almost a must if you run 2 or more amps or cruise at night. Big Big difference. <BR> <BR>I have ran with no problems, 150 hours in each of my 07 and 08 Supra's with the Indmar 340 CAT and I would NEVER go back. So Im gonna ask you to look at the Supras while you are looking but if you go with the Malibu I say pick the 340 reguardless. The CAT is so much better that I think it will really hurt you on resale if you dont. Kind of like if you were looking at a used boat and one had a Carborator and the other with Fuel Injection, especially true with wakesurfing coming on so strong. Best of Luck <BR> <BR>(Message edited by redsupralaunch on October 31, 2008)

340 all the way. More power and you will appreciate the reduced emissons if you plan surfing.

The 340 also has a roller camshaft/lifters, the 320 doesn't . In my opinion it makes a difference in how fast the engine tachs up. Another vote for the Monsoon

nu bu how am I wrong when it is right in front of me? do you work for Indmar? or do I have some sort of miss print that they accidentaly sent to dealers?

WOW master Srg. look at you go. Member of wakefirst and now posting up on wakeworld like a teenager...

Simmer down Bret I was telling Dan you were not the Bret he was referring to in his post.

according to the brochure the lcr makes 375ftlb and the monsoon makes 397ftlb...how much is the upgrade for the monsoon?

Uh oh, Dan. So the Liberty Lake funk gave the X15 a case of the blisters, huh. I hope INW MC is taking care of it for you. <BR> <BR>I wondered about that as this was my first year with the Vride. I used to keep my 205 on Sammamish for months at a time &amp; never had a problem. So last spring I spent some time under the boat with a buffer &amp; wax. Plus I pulled it ever couple weeks to clean it up, check it out (and go somewhere new). No problems at all. Not sure if that had anything to do with anything I did or maybe just had descent karma.

Well Bret I guess you were wrong after all about the 15 lbs of tq. <BR> <BR>I think the monsoon is $1200 upgrade.

I could care less, but what about monsoon with cats. I thought that upgrade was a bit more than 1200.

Buguru, don't hate because I know more about your Indmar engines than you!

1200 for the upgrade reprop and save your money. I have been there done that.

Master Srg, thanks for the double ups this weekend. DONT WINTERIZE....you'll be fine. <BR> <BR>Bill, yep got to re-spray the entire bottom. They were telling me that when they spray for the algae it is really bad on the gel coat. I did pull out and clean a couple times, but never waxed to entire hull. I will make sure to do it before I set her afloat in the Spring.

Dan, great day on the water. It's a good thing you left when you did...you would not have liked the change in water conditions<img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/biggrin.gif" border=0> You missed Nick's backroll off the double up. Great way to end the season....Waiting for the spring thaw now.