It's time to sell my '81 Whaler Montauk and get something a bit larger and warmer for the growing kids and wife.I live in the PNW and fish for Salmon in summer/fall, crab and boat camp with the family. A family of 4 is maxed out when boat camping with the Montauk in the San Juan Islands. For the family to keep boating I have agreed to get something a little bit bigger and have settled on a looking for a nice used 93' or newer 208 Adventure.
After cruising the forums everyone seems to have a differing opinion regarding a 4-stroke 150hp vs. the 200. My budget is tight and Grady's out West cost a premium compared to East Coast or Florida based boats so budget might dictate which motor and options i end up getting on boat.
Is the Yamaha 150 4-stroke really a slug like so many claim? If so, why would grady pair that motor with a 208? Or is all the '150 is underpowered' bluster coming from speed freaks, those running offshore long distances?
I am not obsessed about hole shot speed, WOT etc. I watch the gas gauge and care about fuel burn so I really wonder if 200hp is a 'must have' or nice to have but only if you have the cash and for future resell value.
7 out of 10 times out this boat will be fished solo or with one other person the other times crabbing w/kids and camping with whole family of 4 and dog. I am quite content cruising mid-20's-32mph on the water and the waters here in the PNW are protected for the most part but prone to 1'-3' chop which is an unpleasant beating in the Montauk which i expect is a non factor in a 208. I am not running 30 miles offshore in the Pacific but do run 20-40 miles nearshore to get cruising grounds in San Juan Islands and Canadian Gulf Islands.
If the price was right i would consider a boat with a 2 stroke Saltwater Series Yamaha unless forum members recommend against going that route. How is that engine? Any issues with that era Yami that would be cause for concern? I also don't know the differences between the variety of Yamaha's that were put on that era such as the early Yami 4stokes vs. late model Yami saltwater 2 strokes.
Wondering what a 208 with a hardtop height measurement from the deck to horizontal support of a typical hardtop is and the headroom clearance under the hardtop at the helm standing? I am 6'4" so don't want to waste time looking for a hardtop if the headroom isn't' there or have to duck under each time i check the down rigger and could settle for a bimini if need be.
Would consider a mint Overnighter but 'Wet Transom' talk and older hull design has me a little less excited about going that route. Is the wet transom talk overhyped or is it pretty much consensus that it's a prevalent issue with the Pre-93 boats.
Any other buying advice or leads are appreciated. Sorry for the long winded post but I have always loved the lines of Grady's and excited to find my next boat.
After cruising the forums everyone seems to have a differing opinion regarding a 4-stroke 150hp vs. the 200. My budget is tight and Grady's out West cost a premium compared to East Coast or Florida based boats so budget might dictate which motor and options i end up getting on boat.
Is the Yamaha 150 4-stroke really a slug like so many claim? If so, why would grady pair that motor with a 208? Or is all the '150 is underpowered' bluster coming from speed freaks, those running offshore long distances?
I am not obsessed about hole shot speed, WOT etc. I watch the gas gauge and care about fuel burn so I really wonder if 200hp is a 'must have' or nice to have but only if you have the cash and for future resell value.
7 out of 10 times out this boat will be fished solo or with one other person the other times crabbing w/kids and camping with whole family of 4 and dog. I am quite content cruising mid-20's-32mph on the water and the waters here in the PNW are protected for the most part but prone to 1'-3' chop which is an unpleasant beating in the Montauk which i expect is a non factor in a 208. I am not running 30 miles offshore in the Pacific but do run 20-40 miles nearshore to get cruising grounds in San Juan Islands and Canadian Gulf Islands.
If the price was right i would consider a boat with a 2 stroke Saltwater Series Yamaha unless forum members recommend against going that route. How is that engine? Any issues with that era Yami that would be cause for concern? I also don't know the differences between the variety of Yamaha's that were put on that era such as the early Yami 4stokes vs. late model Yami saltwater 2 strokes.
Wondering what a 208 with a hardtop height measurement from the deck to horizontal support of a typical hardtop is and the headroom clearance under the hardtop at the helm standing? I am 6'4" so don't want to waste time looking for a hardtop if the headroom isn't' there or have to duck under each time i check the down rigger and could settle for a bimini if need be.
Would consider a mint Overnighter but 'Wet Transom' talk and older hull design has me a little less excited about going that route. Is the wet transom talk overhyped or is it pretty much consensus that it's a prevalent issue with the Pre-93 boats.
Any other buying advice or leads are appreciated. Sorry for the long winded post but I have always loved the lines of Grady's and excited to find my next boat.
