208 Adventure Weight Questions

[MN Boater]

Hi all,

I am looking at buying a 208 Adventure (2000 model) with a Honda 4 stroke 225. This will be my first "bigger" boat. I will be using the boat mainly for cruising and camping and would like to be able to carry 6 people in it at times. From the information I've been able to find it sounds like the 225 (about 600lb) is a bit on the heavy side for these boats as they were designed at the time for lighter 2 strokes. The seller stated that some water does come back onto the boat at slow speeds through the drain holes if it is loaded with people or gear in the back. I am hoping to take it for a test drive soon to see how low it actually sits.

Does anybody here have any experience with this type of setup? Any advice is appreciated!

Thanks

 

[seasick]

Wear water proof shoes! The motor itself will push the aft down, the six passengers will make things a lot worse.

First things first. Before boarding look at the aft scuppers to see where they sit. They should be about 2 inches above the water (not the water line on the hull ).
Then take a look at the gas gauge to see how much gas is in the boat. The tank is 80 gallons or so and the difference between half a tank and a full tank is about 250 pounds or two not so heavy people. Note that since I would expect the aft to be sitting lower due to the extra weight, the tank will be at a greater angle and the gauge will read higher than the actual amount.

Assuming its just you and the seller, move back to the rear of the deck and see if water enters the scuppers.

Six people is the limit seating wise and that assumes two will seat in the aft seats, two in the seats behind the helm seats and two in those seats. If the folks in the rear are getting wet (and they will, either from the scuppers or from spray), there is no place to go for cover.
I have a 208 and other than short trips to show friends and family the boat, it is not really suited for long trips with six people.

 

[Sdfish]

Agree with Seasick. I just re powered with a Yamaha F150, weighs about 490 lbs. My scuppers are half submerged with about 1/4 tank of gas. With 3 passengers and the new motor, I have not had any water in the boat. When I put my bait tank in the bank, I may. Agree with Seasick on the comments of 6 passengers.

Seasick - what power do you have on your 208?

 

[seasick]

Agree with Seasick. I just re powered with a Yamaha F150, weighs about 490 lbs. My scuppers are half submerged with about 1/4 tank of gas. With 3 passengers and the new motor, I have not had any water in the boat. When I put my bait tank in the bank, I may. Agree with Seasick on the comments of 6 passengers.

Seasick - what power do you have on your 208?

I have a Saltwater Series 150hp 2-stroke that has been basically trouble free for many years ( Now I did it, put the hex on)
My boat has a Bimini top. With two persons ( wife and me) and half a tank of gas it performs well. With 3 'guys' fishing, I can notice a slower to plane condition and with 3 'guys' and a mostly full tank of gas, it does struggle to get on plane.
Although I have taken 4 people fishing, it is not ideal by any means; its too crowded . Often in those instances, I will just stay at the helm and watch the other three folks fish.

 

[family affair]

If the boat looks too low in the back, have someone take a seat on the bow and check the back again. You'd be surprised how much 50-100 lbs of ballast in the front cabin compartment can do for ride and how the boat sits at rest.