I have a year 2000 Seafarer 228 with a 225 horsepower OX66 (I should say had, since there's a hole in the block where it blew). I'm in the process of re-powering with a new Yamaha 250 4.2L Offshore 4-stroke. I found the 228 to be a bit underpowered with a 200HP engine when looking for my Seafarer. Much rather have more power than needed than less.
I had a Seafarer with a two-stroke 250, circa 1994. Perfect match. Ran 30-33 all day at just under 4000 RPM. Every now and again, I'd open it up and it came in at 47-48 MPH.
If you are buying new get either the 250 or 300. Strike zone, last time we spoke I thought you had your ox rebuilt? Am I missing sonething? I have contemplated repowering to the 4 2 myself and selling my 3.2 which appears to have a market value between $10 and $12k. I can shed weight, improve fuel economy and get 5 years of warranty.
I had the OX66 rebuilt after water was found in one of the cylinders and the engine seized. A blown gasket on the bottom of the power head was thought to be the point of intrusion as everything else seemed good.
During the breakin period once I had enough hours to open up the throttle I was only able to get 4800 RPMs and it was running very rough. They pulled the power head again and found water in the same cylinder as before. A small crack,was found about six inches up into the cold water chamber of the block. The decision was made to clean the area and put Marinetex over the crack. At this point I was just hoping to get some amount of use from the rebuild.
Once this was done the intrusion problem was solved but there must have been enough damage to the piston/rings/bearing on that cylinder to cause it to blow. Made it about 2 miles down river and that was the end of that.
Strikezone...yours is the second 225 OX that I have heard about that has blown....not sure why the other one blew but it is rumored to be a similar situation (water in the cylinder)...given that my "new to me" 225 has the same motor, I want to keep an eye on it.
To the OP - I owned a 228 with a 200 Salt Water Series....did not have a hardtop....top end was about 42 or so. I also owned a 226 (no bracket - notch transom) with a hardtop and a 200 HPDI....played around with props and was able to get it to be a 41 mph boat, but that was about it. The hardtop adds weight and wind resistance....and will slow you down.
I have a 2005 226 with a Hard Top,Full Enclosure with a F-225.Have a 17" Rev-4,Engine mounted all the way up. I've gotten 43.5 mph. out of it on a good day..I will say the Engine probably needs to come down a Hole though. Still would like to have a 300 on it! :twisted: I'd like to be able to cruise around 35-40 mph. on nice days.I do alot of running alot of time.
I just hung a suzuki 250 on my 2005 228. I would argue that it is the best combination of value, performance, efficiency, and power. I could have chosen any motor, and I've previously owned all of them, except for honda.
I have a 228 Seafarer 2006 , I have a 250 Yamaha 2007 could not ask for a better motor, motor has enough power to get on a plane quickly and and trimmed out to cruse at 25-28 for great gas mileage , If I need to get in quickly this boat will do 42-46 mph. Rare that I ever go that fast and really do not care for that speed, I stay in 4000-5000rpms.