Hello, looking to move up from my 180 sportsman to a 208. The used boats I'm seeing have anywhere from a 150 - 250 hp engine. I'm very worried about a 150 not being enough for this boat, should I be?
Thanks!
Thanks!
208 and engine size
- Thread starter Brownbagger
- Start date
My 150hp yamaha 2 stroke (1996) can get me up to 39 mph. It is enough engone fore me and most people on my boat think its hauls ass - good enough for me (a 150hp 4 stroke may be another question).
Most people would say need bigger, but if a few mph makes dont make a difference then your all set.
And your running it on a 208 I assume?
My 130hp 2 stroke yam on my 180 is sufficient but 150 would be better and I dont want to wish I had enough this time around. 39mph is plenty though.
More is always better; You won't worry about it being sluggish if your loaded with people or stuff.
Throttle back, the engine works less and you'll get comparable fuel mileage to a smaller engine.
If I was to purchase a 208 (an Adventure, right?) I wouldn't want anything less than a 200. A 225 or 250 would be ideal.
If you find an undeniable deal on one with a 150, and your not worried about the possibility of being a tad underpowered, then it may be worth considering.
Many have the 208 with a 150 and are happy. I went for a demo ride in an Adventure with a 150 and didn't like it, but that's me. Hopefully you find a great boat!
Throttle back, the engine works less and you'll get comparable fuel mileage to a smaller engine.
If I was to purchase a 208 (an Adventure, right?) I wouldn't want anything less than a 200. A 225 or 250 would be ideal.
If you find an undeniable deal on one with a 150, and your not worried about the possibility of being a tad underpowered, then it may be worth considering.
Many have the 208 with a 150 and are happy. I went for a demo ride in an Adventure with a 150 and didn't like it, but that's me. Hopefully you find a great boat!
Had a 209 w/Yammie F150. Perfect engine in my mind. Hit 38 MPH WOT on the GPS.
209 might be alittle less weight than a 208, but I had a T-top on it that added some resistance and weight.
Take her for a ride and decide!
209 might be alittle less weight than a 208, but I had a T-top on it that added some resistance and weight.
Take her for a ride and decide!
Own 98 208 prior 175 Yamaha 2 stroke ,now 150 Etec HO rated at 165 HP , newer fuel injected engines are faster top .and hole shot . If you go with a 4 stroke Yamaha I would consider model years that were designed for a 4 stroke weight .
I have 93 208 with 2 stroke Yam 150.
My opinion of this combo depends on the sea conditions.
The typical steady 2's with the occasional 3 short Gulf of Mexico chop the 150 is plenty because you can't really go much faster than 23-27 mph or else you're launching it off a wave or pounding too hard. I have tabs too but it's just the nature of a small boat.
If it lays down on the way in and you want to let it eat the 150 is a little light. In 1's or calm it runs 27-29 mph at 4000 and around 31-33 at 4500.
I will repower with a 200 when I kill the yammie just so I can run a bit quicker when it's calm. So to answer your question, yes, a 150 is plenty, unless you want a faster cruise in calm seas.
Edit to add I primarily fish alone, occasionally a second person. Those numbers are 1 guy and not a ton of stuff. So, if you are looking to haul 4 guys and all the gear you might want more hp...
My opinion of this combo depends on the sea conditions.
The typical steady 2's with the occasional 3 short Gulf of Mexico chop the 150 is plenty because you can't really go much faster than 23-27 mph or else you're launching it off a wave or pounding too hard. I have tabs too but it's just the nature of a small boat.
If it lays down on the way in and you want to let it eat the 150 is a little light. In 1's or calm it runs 27-29 mph at 4000 and around 31-33 at 4500.
I will repower with a 200 when I kill the yammie just so I can run a bit quicker when it's calm. So to answer your question, yes, a 150 is plenty, unless you want a faster cruise in calm seas.
Edit to add I primarily fish alone, occasionally a second person. Those numbers are 1 guy and not a ton of stuff. So, if you are looking to haul 4 guys and all the gear you might want more hp...
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I had the Yamaha F 150 on my 208 sold it for a good price and bought the F200i4. A "little " more speed at top end appears to have a "little' more torque mid range. Usually just two in the boat with fishing and or prawn in gear, so perfect for us. I think if you are having family outings go 250 as there is really not a big difference between the 225 and 250 both having 6 cylinders as apposed to the 4 in the 200. Just get the best deal you can ( boat in good condition) and there always seems to be a market for good used 4 strokes and you can trade up if necessary.
I re-powered a 208 with a Yamaha f150. I fish the boat typically with 3 guys and a full 32 gallon bait tank. I typically cruise in a 2 foot swell at around 23-27 mph with out much effort, at about 4000-4200 rpm.
My typical day is 3 hours at 4000 rpm and 8 hours at a troll speed, I get about 2.5 to 3 mpg depending on conditions.
In my limited experience, the boat runs fine with a 150. I don't push it though, and have not been on boat this size with a bigger motor.
My boat does not have a hard top.
My typical day is 3 hours at 4000 rpm and 8 hours at a troll speed, I get about 2.5 to 3 mpg depending on conditions.
In my limited experience, the boat runs fine with a 150. I don't push it though, and have not been on boat this size with a bigger motor.
My boat does not have a hard top.
B-man
Member
I remember researching the same question before I bought my 208.
The general consensus was that if it has a hard top, go with a 200hp+
No hard top and a 150-175 is/was adequate.
I have a 2001 200 HPDI on my '01 208 with a hard top. Good hole shot and performance, but I know I wouldn't want a pony less when I'm fully loaded for a 5 day trip to Isle Royale. 25 more would be nice for that trip lol
The general consensus was that if it has a hard top, go with a 200hp+
No hard top and a 150-175 is/was adequate.
I have a 2001 200 HPDI on my '01 208 with a hard top. Good hole shot and performance, but I know I wouldn't want a pony less when I'm fully loaded for a 5 day trip to Isle Royale. 25 more would be nice for that trip lol
Grady's original specs called for a min 2 stroke 150 or a 175 with the hard top. The issue with earlier hulls and newer heavier 4 strokes is not just the extra weight but the balance and trim of the hull. Newer 208s have extral ballast forward to help counteract the heavier 4 strokes. Note that the 200 I4 motor is about the same weight as the 2 stroke and is a good match for the earlier hulls.
My 208 runs fine with the SX150 but the performance changes as you add people and or fuel. With three adults and a relatively full tank, it takes a lot longer to get on plane.
If you rig an older hull with a heavier 4 stroke, carry several adults and and a full tank of gas, your passengers aft are going to get wet feet since the scuppers will most likely be below the water line.
If I were to repower my 2001 hull, I would chose the 200hp I4 option for sure.
My 208 runs fine with the SX150 but the performance changes as you add people and or fuel. With three adults and a relatively full tank, it takes a lot longer to get on plane.
If you rig an older hull with a heavier 4 stroke, carry several adults and and a full tank of gas, your passengers aft are going to get wet feet since the scuppers will most likely be below the water line.
If I were to repower my 2001 hull, I would chose the 200hp I4 option for sure.