330 Express Repower Questions

[stripedo]

I have a 2003 330 Express with twin 225's. I have upgraded just about everything and love the hull. The boat is dialed in, but I want more power. I would love to go with F300's, but as you all know the 03 is only rated for 500 HP. Here are my questions?

1. Is it an insurance if you power over the current rating?

2. What sort of performance difference do you see when going from the F225's to the F250's?

I was looking at the new 4.2L mechanical shift F250's coming out shortly. Looks like I can just hang them and use all my existing controls. Makes it an easy swap out.

I would much prefer 300's if i can do it...

 

[ElyseM]

i would call GW on that. possible the transom is already designed for the 300's.

and i suggest you run a digital setup before you fall back on mechanical. good luck, ron

 

[JJ2468]

I went down this road prior. My insurance company would not insure

Mostly I had multiple conversations with Grady and they would NOT change the horsepower rating. I ended up with a 2006 so I could use the F300s. I cruise at 27-31 knots at 4500 depending on load.

Love the engines

I also run extreme loads sometimes. 475 gallons total, 1200 lbs ice and tons of gear. Boat not happy but engines handle it

 

[stripedo]

Insurance agent said "no problem at all" with putting 300's on the 2003 330 Express. Thoughts?

 

[JJ2468]

If insurance ok I would do it

Grady white made no structural changes to the hull until the first year the F350s came out which I believe was 2008. After that some pretty extensive changes to the rear of the boat to handle the extra weight

The F300s are actually a little lighter than the old 225

If u want to take a ride I'm in Bristol Ri.

 

[ElyseM]

just to be clear, i was not suggesting a re-cert for horsepower. i do not know when the 300 hpdi's came out, but if the prior post is correct and no transom changes were made until 2008, then the f300's should be acceptable. check with GW, but don't ask for a re-cert. good luck, ron

 

[JJ2468]

To be clear. I 100% called and emailed and had plenty of back and forth with Grady about recertying to 600. Prior to 2003 500 was the max. The 300 hpdi disaster came out and as per all sources zero changes made to hull. I did not own a boat at that time and only wanted to repower Grady after many back and forths said no to upping the horsepower on a 2003 and prior to 600. People can try again but from what I was told it was 100% no. So hence i bought a 2006. At least the 300 hpdis were good for something

600 hours later very happy and boat doing great. Last trip 149 miles out each way. I carry extra fuel before everyone asks

 

[everwhom]

I just repowered my '03 330 Express with the F250XCA offshores (digital controls). I did a bunch of research on the F250's vs F300's (both the same 4.2L engine block). Grady actually had numbers for both these engines on their website as they used to offer the F250 too. Here's what they posted:

500HP
Best Cruise: 30.7 MPH (4300 RPM), 1.17 mpg
5000 RPM: 36.9 MPH, 1.02 mpg
Max Speed: 42.9 MPH, .90 mpg

600HP
Best Cruise: 29.9 MPH (4200 RPM), 1.25 mpg
5000 RPM: 37.1 MPH, 1.08 mpg
Max Speed: 44.6 MPH, .86 mpg

700HP
Best Cruise: 32.3 MPH (3900 RPM), 1.22 mpg
5000 RPM: 43 MPH, .95 mpg
Max Speed: 50.4 MPH, .75 mpg

So interestingly there's not a huge difference between the F250's and F300's...

 

[duckhunter]

repowering a 330 I just bought, 2003, thinking about Suzuki vs Yamaha 250's digital, any comments appreciated,

 

[duckhunter]

geico said they would cover 300 engines

 

[duckhunter]

geico said no problem with 300 but marine shop baulking at installing

 

[everwhom]

I'd say if you're planning on keeping the boat for 5+ years, just go with the F250's (4.2L offshore) and save some money. The performance difference is quite small... Torque is pretty much a function of displacement, and the 4.2L F250 pops my 330 out of the hole with ease with full fuel, gear, and crew. I've heard great things about the zukes as well, but I can't get over how smooth and powerful my Yamahas are.

 

[Harpoon]

Before you spend 45K, you may want to try the 15-3/4" X 15P props.

 

[HMBJack]

Agreed on the prop recommendation.

I switched my 330 Express with twin F250's over to four blade 16 pitch props and I'm very happy with them.

Much more torque, same economy and just a tad less top end speed which I view as a very fair trade off.
These boats are HEAVY and I think a 4 blade should be standard equipment IMHO.

 

[JJ2468]

What is the exact 4 blade props u are running

Manufacturer?

Diameter and pitch ?

 

[Harpoon]

I would consult propgods.com

 

[HMBJack]

The exact brand and model of my props are:

Brand: Power Tech
Model: Off Shore "OFS 4" in 15.25 diameter and 16 Pitch with shift dampener hubs.

The standard pitch offered is in odd #'s like 15, 17 and 19.
But after trying a set of 17's then 15's, I asked them to make me set of 16's and they were "just right".

Hope this helps. Below is the link. - Cheers, Jack

http://www.ptprop.com/index.php?page=sh ... &Itemid=46

 

[JJ2468]

HMBJack Thank you for the response.

I did contact Ken and $2,500 later still looking for proper props.

Tried the 17 pitch 3 blade Yamahas. Love them but only when half full or lighter. When heavy boat struggles. Have the 15 pitch Yamaha and those handle the load great but lost some speed. Ken recommended the 4 blade Rev4. Still have them and they have been tweaked twice and still not happy. Will try a set of the Powertech next

What is your cruising speed, GPH with the 4 blades ?

Also are u running the old 3.3 or new 42 250s ?

Thanks

J

 

[HMBJack]

What is your cruising speed, GPH with the 4 blades ?

>>> I cruise at 22-24 knots and burn 24-27 GPH getting .88 nautical MPG or 1.0 statute MPG. I run my boat 100% in the ocean off San Francisco (think big swells) and I tend to be pretty heavy with fuel, water, ice and crew. On any given fishing trip, I almost always average out to one nautical MPG overall. This is because I cruise at .88 nMPG but get better than that while trolling. So, 50 miles = 50G, 150 miles = 150G - almost like clock work... I'm fine with this economy and the four blade 16" pitch props just perform better overall for me. I'd recommend the Power Techs in a minute. BTW - I do not know who "Ken" is...

Also are u running the old 3.3 or new 42 250s ?

>>>> I have the 3.3's. Model year 2006. 1,200 hours now and running strong.

 

[L.R.]

HMBJack Thank you for the response.

I did contact Ken and $2,500 later still looking for proper props.

Tried the 17 pitch 3 blade Yamahas. Love them but only when half full or lighter. When heavy boat struggles. Have the 15 pitch Yamaha and those handle the load great but lost some speed. Ken recommended the 4 blade Rev4. Still have them and they have been tweaked twice and still not happy. Will try a set of the Powertech next

What is your cruising speed, GPH with the 4 blades ?

Also are u running the old 3.3 or new 42 250s ?

Thanks

J

J ,Did Ken say anything to ya' about raising the Engines up with the Rev-4's? The Rev-4's like to run high...Just a thought.