Ford 6.2 oil recommendations

[JBusch]

Hi, we have a 2024 MB B52 surf boat with Indmar Raptor 400, basically a Ford 6.2 with marine components, it calls for 5w30 every 75hrs. from reading here over the last few years that it's one of the best readily available 30wts I've been running ESP 0w30 for the higher HTHS and better base stock. Boat is used for Surfing exclusively so runs at 4k rpms while surfing and lots of stop and go especially with inexperienced riders.
Talking to David at HPL he said he likes running 15w40 on boats but that seems like a big jump to me but you guys are the experts here. Would it be better to go up to a 40wt considering the engine use or would the higher HTHS of the ESP 0w30 would be enough? If so why a 15w40 and not a 0w40 or 10w40? At 75 hours per oil change I'll only need 2 per season so cost is not an issue, it's an expensive boat so want to take care of it. Engine runs cool at 170° coolant, doesn't have an oil temp gauge but it has an oil cooler.
Boat on the water with people and all ballast full is around 12k lbs.

Thanks

 

[GI_GRIFF]

ESP 0w30 would be enough

The Mobil 1 ESP 0W-30 is enough in my opinion. If you want to spend the money, I am sure HPL, Amsoil and Red Line Oil, all three have a Euro rated ACEA C3 oil that will give you the >3.5 HTHS in a 30-weight oil. If it was me and I just wanted to spend the extra money to try something, I would use the Red Line part # 15304 5W-30. The HTHS on that particular Red Line oil is 3.7. As I said, I am sure HPL and Amsoil have some good choices too. However, do you need the higher end boutique oils? I doubt it since you are already running the Mobil1 ESP 0W-30. It is not quite as Whoopi as the boutiques, but will your engine be ok on it? I would have to say yes. However, you would have an excuse for putting a cool Red Line, HPL or Amsoil bumper sticker somewhere on your boat, that has to be worth something!

 

[ripcord]

I would base the choice on oil sump temps. Do you know what they are?

 

[MVAR]

12k lbs and propelling through water is a heavier load than what most pickups will see daily. So the 40wt recommendation would be a bit of extra protection.

The winter 15w rating for the HPL will just decrease the amount of VI’s in the blend making it more shear stable.

I run HPL HDMO CC 5W-40 in the 6.2 in my F150. It doesn’t work as hard as your boat but does spend plenty of time hauling medium loads over 7-8k foot elevation changes. Didn’t lose any mpg on the 40 vs 20 or 30wt.

All that said, the M1 ESP 0w-30 is good stuff & will likely serve you well

 

[fantastic]

15w-40 or 5w-40 HDEO would be great for your boat. Presumably have it out in the warmer weather so a 15w is no problem. I didn't really realize how much weight adds up on a boat like that.