Another Gulfstream repower question...

232 GULF

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Hey all, just wanted to start off by complimenting this site and the guys who run it. Very informative and a great help. This past March I bought a 2000 Gulfstream w/a 250 Yamaha. The boat itself is better than expected and i couldn't be happier. Plenty of room due to the 9'3" beam, abundance of storage, nice cabin, etc, etc. The 250hp, however, i am a little unhappy with. I was planning on keeping the 250 for 2 seasons or so and then repowering but dont think I can wait that long. Top end speed is about 25mph and I can't take much more of it. I just replaced the shifter cable and now have another issue with it cutting out momentarily at high RPMs :shock: and i dont really feel like dumping more money into it. Ideally, I'd love to put a new 350 Yamaha on it but I'm not sure if that's possible. Was wondering if anyone thinks (or knows) if I would be able to do this. If not a 350, maybe a 300? Twin 200s? Twin 150s? And would I need a new bracket no matter what type of repower?? Would like to go to the dealer with some knowledge. Thanks to all who read/respond!
 

richie rich

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take a look at your owners manual or boiler plate mounted on the boat...it will tell you max horespower on it...you probably shouldn't go past 80% of the boiler plate for safety....that boat should be able to handle 350-400....so a 300-350 respectively is ok....call Grady on the bracket....if they boiler plated the boat at 350-400 then the bracket should be able to handle the increase in HP....just make sure your transom is in good shape to take the load.....if you go with twins, then you'll need a new bracket...my 25 has twin 150's and I can do 30mph.......you should do 35+ with twin 150's plus the extra benefit of dual prop steering/docking and backup engine if IT hits the fan!
 

232 GULF

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Thanks for the response Richie. I'll have to check the manual for the boiler plate but I know that the boat is rated for max 400hp. Transom seems to be in mint condition, no cracks or anything.

Has anyone gone from a single engine to double on a gulfstream??
 

jaamm1

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I am a previous 232 owner that ahd a single 250 OX on it. I understand you wanting twins for a lot of reasons but if you are only geting 25MPH out of the motor you have now you have a motor or setup problem. My 99 232 would cruise at 28MPH and top out at around 40. Good luck with your repower quest but also look into your current motors performance.
Jim
 

gw204

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jaamm1 said:
I am a previous 232 owner that ahd a single 250 OX on it. I understand you wanting twins for a lot of reasons but if you are only geting 25MPH out of the motor you have now you have a motor or setup problem. My 99 232 would cruise at 28MPH and top out at around 40. Good luck with your repower quest but also look into your current motors performance.
Jim

Exactly. If you're topping out at 25 mph, something is wrong. Figure out what is going on before you sink money into a new engine.

What RPM are you getting at wide open throttle? What service has been performed on the engine? Low pressure fuel pumps replaced? VST filter cleaned?
 

Bill_N

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I sea trialed a 232 with a OX66 250 a few years ago and had it up to 38 mph. Power didn't seem that far off but there was only 2 of us on the boat with 1/2 tank of fuel.

Twins are nice but 2x maintenance cost. I'd look at a 275 - 300 single if you want more power but check your rpm's at WOT first. Maybe you're propped wrong.

Bill
 

232 GULF

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WOT I get 5200-5300 RPM but the MAX ive hit is 30mph in perfect conditions. I had the boat/motor sea trialed and everything before i bought it and the guy said it was a little underpowered and the compressions were a little low but OK. Maybe she's just showing her age.... :roll:
 

NIGHTIDES

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What is the pitch of the prop you are turning and what hole is the engine mounted on? What were the compression numbers as well?
 

232 GULF

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Nightides.....Dont know the pitch of the prop or what hole the engine is mounted on but will find out. As for the compressions, the original numbers are written next to the spark plugs, all around 125 but this spring they were all right around 100 and one was mid 90s.....

Also...Jaamm and Bill_N, did your gulfstreams have hardtops and hit that MPH??
 

NIGHTIDES

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115 psi all around is what I saw on an identical model 250hp Yam that was swapped out for fresh power because it was getting 'tired' and the WOT performance numbers were getting poorer after every year.

It too was on a 232. Top end was down to 32mph under best conditions.

Let's see the other info when you get it.
 

jaamm1

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Rizz,
My 232 was with hard top and bottom paint. You must always consider sea state and boats weight. I consitently cruised at 4500/4600 and made 27/28 MPH. The new owner of my boat has posted the same performance #'s on this forum recently. I'm not sure how you are trimming the boat out. I never needed my trim tabs unless I had a weight dist. problem or needed to push the bow down in rough water. If you are using them to get on plane make sure you tuck them away after you achieve plane or you just drag them. Also once I was on plane I would trim the motor to about 3 bars on the ind. and I was set. Good luck with this mystery.
Jim
 

232 GULF

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How can I find out the pitch of the prop?? Can't seem to determine which hole the motor is on either :? Does 5300 RPM WOT seem diminished?

Thanks again guys..
 

Bill_N

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If you have a Yamaha SWS prop it will have a number on it like 17-M or 19-M. Those would be 17" and 19" props. The boat I sea trialed had a hardtop and full curtains but it only had around 300 hrs on it. Not sure what rpm we were turning at that speed.
 

BobP

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300 Verado or ETEC.

Your out of luck with Yamaha, their discontinued 300 HPDI had issues, you can pick up one used.
 

gw204

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Cutting out at high RPMs could be a clogged VST filter. Have you cleaned that yet? If not, do it. Costs you only what a can of carb cleaner runs at the local auto parts store...and $20 or so for a new VST gasket if you need one. Spray the stuff into the discharge end of the filter to clean out the screen.

Then decarb the motor using Dunk's method (it's posted somewhere on THT). Again, costs you pretty much nothing aside from a $10 can of Seafoam. You need a separate fuel container. If you don't already have a 2.5+ gallon can from the hardware store, get one and a piece of 3/8" line. Run the line from the tank to the inlet of your water separator.

Another free check (last resort) would be to pull the cylinder heads and have a look at the cylinder walls. Head gaskets are cheap to replace...

Motors are too damn expensive these days. I would be doing everything I could to make sure I actually needed a new one before I threw in the towel.

Good luck!
 

232 GULF

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Wow thanks for the detailed info Brian :idea:

Can a dirty VST filter affect RPMs and MPH at all?
 

SlimJim

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232 GULF said:
Wow thanks for the detailed info Brian :idea:

Can a dirty VST filter affect RPMs and MPH at all?
yes. It will run find at low RPM and then cut out on and off at high RPM if you have a dirty VST Filter. That filter is inside the VST tank and is on the high speed pump.
 

striped bass

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Grady White dealerships are showing the 232 with the F350 in their showrooms. Call a Grady dealer and get thier view point. If your transom and bracket can handle it that seems the way to go. ALSO Yamaha has extended their incentive program through July and you get a nice price reduction and warranty. Check it out.

Good luck.
 

232 GULF

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Just wanted to let all you guys know that it was the VST filter. Cleaned it today and ran it with no problem. As for the low top-end speed, my mechanic said that the engine is just old and w/the low compressions that's all it will give me. New engine plans for the winter probably. I'm sure i'll talk to you guys soon...
 

232 GULF

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Just curious what you guys think or know........Ballpark price for new twin 150s Yamaha or E-Tec....thanks