CRUSADER 350 XL ENGINES

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Happy Holidays to all. The purpose of this post is to solicit comments on the crusader 350xl engines. We are considering the purchase of a 1997 mariner with approx 460 hours.
Thanks
Rich
 
I believe (although not positive) that Crusader put this designation on when GM changed over to the Vortec engine. That being said, the 350XL is a good motorwith good reliability. In that boat, it won't be the fastest, but it will be a comfortable cruise. The engine is rated at 270HP in 1997, and that boat weighs approx 18,000 to 19,000lbs.
 
If the boat weighs that much, I think those engines are WAY too small. It needs at least 454's.
 
In more recent years, it was avaiable with the 454, however, when they switched to the 8.1L, they didn't offer it. They instead went with the new 375HP 6.0L Crusader which gives fantastic performance...much better than the 320hp 5.7L.
 
The problem with those engines is that you won't have enough torque for that weight boat. Also, in order to squeeze out that much HP, the engine must be working WAY too hard and wont' last as long as a larger one will.
 
thanks for the info so far. We usually spend our time crusing around at 10 to 12 mph, short runs, no real destinations, very casual. This model boat appears to be ideal for spending time at the marina for an overniter.
Last season we only put 42 hours of casual rides which is what we enjoy, that coupled with great freinds at our marina is perfect as we get older.
 
Hmmm, 1997 was the first year for the "big" Mariner (25/36') as opposed to the older 33/32/330 series that they made. I imagine those 350s will work hard to push that big boat, but then again if you don't plan on a lot of high speed cruising, you might save money over the big blocks, which use a lot of fuel from the minute you turn the key...

In today's economy you might be glad you have the smaller engines!!!
 
i've got crusader 350 xl's in my 1996 320 voyager. my boat is 15,200 lbs with fuel and water and i'm not gonna win any races, but she cruises on plane just fine.
 
My '95 325 has twin Crusader 350XLi engines, which are fuel injected. I am not sure what the XL is, but the "i" is most certainly fuel injection.

I typically run at around 20~22mph at 3300~3400 RPM, which is fine for my sized boat, which is around 15,100 lbs as well. I think Bruce Toran and I have decided the hulls on our boats are identical, but with his boat having a cockpit, while mine has an aft-cabin. Why my boat weighs 100 lbs less is probably due to his boat having a 20 gallon higher gasoline capacity.

My boat also has VC-17 bottom paint, maintained with a new coat annually, which probably helps lower the drag. VC-17 is a freshwater paint only; but if you are on the Great Lakes, you might consider switching to it - as the boat picked up 1mph when doing so.

While 1 mph isn't a biggie, it is a 5% improvement, and it does show that the drag is lower.
 
I think Rich has decided to look at another boat which has EFI Mercs in it instead of these Crusaders. Does anyone know how the two engine families compare to one another???
 
The basic engines are the same. Horsepower on the Mercs will be about the same, but fuel economy will be better and cold starting will be easier.
 
happy new year to all. thanks for the comments. I did find out that the 350 crusaders are fuel injected, which i prefer.
Pete,the
carver with the Mercs is no longer available and therefore we may revisit the 1997 Mariner with the Crusaders.
Ramsport, You and i have communicated in the past,as a matter of fact your dock neighbor DogDaze has sea trialed my Regal. In addition we have talked about the 1997 at Sima Marine. Small world. I wish your 1997 was available
at 90k
 
The boat show starts on the 11th of January...stop in and see us...you never know!
 
If they are 1997 Crusaders, then they would be XLI which indeed is fuel injected. The XLs were last used in the 94 models and were carbed. Ramsport, are you saying the Mercs will have better fuel economy and be easier to cold start than the Crusaders or are you comparing carbed to fuel injected? Given the choice of the same boat with Crusader vs Merc, I'll always go with Crusader.
 
One thing I like about Crusaders is that their installations are so neat and clean, even compared to MerCruiser. Not that Mercs are bad, mind you, but Crusaders are just so well done...
 
I was comparing carbed to EFI...and yes...I would choose Crusader over Merc as well
 
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