Mustang 3800, Riviera 370, Sunrunner 3700

[Biggusstickus]

I don't think you could go wrong with either of these but is does depends on what your main usage will be. I am loving my Mustang albeit not cheap to run and maintain (like any boat though). I love the extra width the Mustang has over the Sunrunner but from reports I have heard they are still great boats.

I have the 5.7 Magnum MPI Horizon year 2000 models in mine and am about to put some fuel flow meters in to find out just what usage I am getting. I originally was told
"2 x 300hp Mercruisers at 3200 Rpm cruising at 17knots and approx 60lph (both motors) fuel usage."
but I don't think its right. More like 3200RPM @ 16.5 knots using 70-75lph (both motors)
I am looking forward to doing some more tests to confirm that and other figures also.

Happy to answer any questions you may have about the early Mustangs

[andyo56]

Thanks Biggus!
That sounds about right... 2.5litres per km.
Let us know when you install the fuel flow meters with some figures.
Thanks again, Andy

[Biggusstickus]

I found this a while ago which has figures for various engines. Depends which boat you get though as well.

MerCruiser Fuel Consumption Twin engine - 3.0 - 4.3 - 5.0 - 5.7 - 6.2 - 7.4 - 8.1 - 8.2 - Mercury 496 - 502

[Djbrisvegas]

Just did 10 hours in the mustang 3800 with 280 hp pentas . Cruised at between 20 and 22 knots mainly , went outside the bar and around lots of different calm and choppy areas.. Filled up and used 560 litres. At 27 knots onthe last tank I'd have to say about 100 litres plus per hour.. It's not about the per hour in my mind but distance as well. To me 21 to 22 knots is the best speed for my economy


Djbrisvegas from Brisbane, Queensland

[Djbrisvegas]

By the way between 3300 and 3500 rpms..


Djbrisvegas from Brisbane, Queensland

[Biggusstickus]

Well on the floscan meters I just put in I am using approx 80 litres/hr at 3200rpm. Doing around 16.5knts.
At 1500rpm doing 6.5knts it was about 20 litres/hr.

I filled up the tank and metres were only 3% out so I think those figures are very close.

[PaulViles]

Hi I'm wanting to buy a Mustang 3800 or Sunrunner 3700 320hp engines. Can anyone please let me know how much costs are to maintain this yearly.
Cheers

[Biggusstickus]

Originally Posted by PaulViles

Hi I'm wanting to buy a Mustang 3800 or Sunrunner 3700 320hp engines. Can anyone please let me know how much costs are to maintain this yearly.
Cheers

Where about are you located. The costs I pay here would be completely different to someone in another country?

[PaulViles]

Originally Posted by Biggusstickus

Where about are you located. The costs I pay here would be completely different to someone in another country?

Hi I'm on the Gold Coast.

[Biggusstickus]

Originally Posted by PaulViles

Hi I'm on the Gold Coast.

Ok, fees are probably cheaper here in Tassie I would think but aside from the $450/month marina fee maintenance is not too bad. I run the 350 mercruisers and I do a lot of the work myself except for the legs and they are between $800-1000/yr for the mechanic to drop the leg, change the leg oil, check alignment, clean out barnacles etc. First year I had mine I paid someone to do anti fouling and polishing the whole boat, that was almost 3k and I ended up doing most of the antifouling anyway. I now do it all myself as it is a cost i am not prepared to pay each year.
Engine Oil & filters, spark plugs, fuel and other items can be bought online much cheaper than a Mercruiser/Volvo dealer so shop around and you could get that for under $200/yr
I have had to replace the odd fuel cooler, macerator pump, shower sump pump etc but again only between $100-350.
A big cost is the manifolds and risers that need replacing every 5 years or so and that could be around 2k per motor but again some online prices are better than that. I shall PM you my phone number if you want to call and have a chat about things and other running costs.

Cheers

Dave

[Byronoa]

Originally Posted by Biggusstickus

Ok, fees are probably cheaper here in Tassie I would think but aside from the $450/month marina fee maintenance is not too bad. I run the 350 mercruisers and I do a lot of the work myself except for the legs and they are between $800-1000/yr for the mechanic to drop the leg, change the leg oil, check alignment, clean out barnacles etc. First year I had mine I paid someone to do anti fouling and polishing the whole boat, that was almost 3k and I ended up doing most of the antifouling anyway. I now do it all myself as it is a cost i am not prepared to pay each year.
Engine Oil & filters, spark plugs, fuel and other items can be bought online much cheaper than a Mercruiser/Volvo dealer so shop around and you could get that for under $200/yr
I have had to replace the odd fuel cooler, macerator pump, shower sump pump etc but again only between $100-350.
A big cost is the manifolds and risers that need replacing every 5 years or so and that could be around 2k per motor but again some online prices are better than that. I shall PM you my phone number if you want to call and have a chat about things and other running costs.

Cheers

Dave

G'Day Dave,

Adrian here from Bayview NSW. Great info above thank you.. I've just purchased a Mustang 3800 so I too am keen to hear more about your boat and how you look after it. Sounds like you've got her sorted with doing most of the work yourself and are enjoying what is an amazing boat! I too will be looking to take on most maintenance duties so would love to hear any tips you have

Cheers Adrian.

[Biggusstickus]

Originally Posted by Byronoa

G'Day Dave,

Adrian here from Bayview NSW. Great info above thank you.. I've just purchased a Mustang 3800 so I too am keen to hear more about your boat and how you look after it. Sounds like you've got her sorted with doing most of the work yourself and are enjoying what is an amazing boat! I too will be looking to take on most maintenance duties so would love to hear any tips you have

Cheers Adrian.

Hi Adrian,

They are a great boat that rides and handle well, Im sure you will be very happy. I have picked up a few tips and information while I have had the boat so if you have any issues just give me a shout and see if I can help

Cheers

[Byronoa]

Originally Posted by Biggusstickus

Hi Adrian,

They are a great boat that rides and handle well, Im sure you will be very happy. I have picked up a few tips and information while I have had the boat so if you have any issues just give me a shout and see if I can help

Cheers

Thanks Dave!
One quick question for you , have you had any success locating spare parts for your boat? I've got a few internal trim pieces i want to replace as they are either broken or badly aged.
Many thanks.

[Biggusstickus]

Originally Posted by Byronoa

Thanks Dave!
One quick question for you , have you had any success locating spare parts for your boat? I've got a few internal trim pieces i want to replace as they are either broken or badly aged.
Many thanks.

Sorry I have not had to replace any as yet except external carpet. Whitworths have some internal trimmings but not sure what you are after. A few places online have a good range so I would do a search there.

What year is your boat and what engines do you have, Just out of interest?

[Byronoa]

Originally Posted by Biggusstickus

Sorry I have not had to replace any as yet except external carpet. Whitworths have some internal trimmings but not sure what you are after. A few places online have a good range so I would do a search there.

What year is your boat and what engines do you have, Just out of interest?

Thanks, yes it was more specific Mustang parts where I was trying to find a distributor/retailer.

My boat is a 2001 LE with recently fitted 6.2L Mercs.. And how bout yours?