24 Offshore Express repower

[pdowning]

Hi all, I have a 1984 24' Offshore express I need to power. The options I'm considering are:

1. single engine bracket with a 250 four stroke. Probably a Verado
2. twin engine bracket with twin 200's two strokes
3. twin engine bracket with twin 150's four strokes.

I'm worried that the Verado won't be enough power and that the other two options would be too much weight. If anyone has experience with any of these setups I would love to hear from you.

Thanks,
Pat

 

[Toothpick 10]

What's the HP rating of the boat?

 

[pdowning]

Rated for 280HP. Thanks.

 

[DennisG01]

I have a 2-stroke Yamaha 250HP on a bracket. It gets up on plane VERY easily with minimal throttle input. I can touch 40mph on a good day - not a speed demon by any means, but plenty fast enough and low to mid range power is great. I run about 27-29MPH around 3,800RPM burning around 11gph. All in all - while it's never a problem to have more power, 250HP on this hull (especially with a bracket) is PLENTY.

 

[Uncle Joe]

I agree with Dennis.......I had a 250 Yammi on a 1985 Offshore and it would do 40mph....I rarely ever ran it WOT but it would do it.

Now I have a 225 E Tec on a 1982 version and it does 37-38 mph. Some people would say it is underpowered but I never felt that way...even with a crew on board.

My .02.....I would not go for twins on a boat with an 8ft beam.....back then Grady didn't build them for twins until they stepped up to the 25 Sailfish with a 9'-6" beam. But that is just me.....best of luck with whatever you decide.

 

[pdowning]

Thanks Guys, I am now leaning towards the single 250 (Maybe a 275) I appreciate the input. Thanks.

 

[chrisk]

Put a Yamaha SHO 250(4.2 liter) on my 24 Explorer about 4 years ago. Awesome motor, wish I had done it years ago. 44-46 MPH and enough power to handle anything I need it to. Single on a bracket. Economy is about the same as my F225 (except when WOT).

 

[blindmullet]

Grady didn’t recommend putting the heavier 300 4 stroke on the single bracket. I would go with a full bracket for either twins or the larger single.

 

[Toothpick 10]

Rated for 280HP. Thanks.

If it's rated for 280 HP, I certainly wouldn't put twin 200s on it. I bet a single, 250 will do fine.

 

[ocdansar]

I had a 1985 24’ offshore it came with a single 200 Mercury I switched it to a pair of 150 Mercury’s. I loved that boat for 13 years. It was awesome