Volvo Penty 5.7 Detuned to Make a 225 HP

My guess is one factor is they don't want to catalyze the 4.3, though not sure about that.

I think their comments about torque and smoothness are a big factor. When we were test driving I/O boats a while back, we drove 4.3 V6 boats and very simmilar 5.0 V8 boats. The HP rating was very close between them, but the real world driving was a major difference. The V8 is quiet, smooth, much stronger out of the hole. The 4.3 is a little screamer that does quite well on the high end but no comparison in overall feel.

I assume they get the low fuel consumption by de-tuning to the 225 HP level, the V8 cruising at 3,000 rpm vs. the V6 cruising the same speed at 3,500 rpm wouldn't be a lot different in fuel burn. Also, in a 20-22 ft. bowrider the V6 is really having to work hard.

By the way, I'd pay $500 extra just for the yellow dipstick! Plus, I like that they list "full pressure lubrication" as a key feature, I'm sure there are a lot of splash lubrication engines being offered!