GW 265 Express or Edgewater 265 Express

[weatherguage]

Greetings to the more experienced than I -

I am looking for my first boat for my family, cruising, fishing, diving, snorkeling and have a good amount of time on the water (primarily sail but a not insignificant amount on power) in the 27-40 foot range. I have a contract on a 2000 GW 265 express with twin Yam 200 HPDI's. The boat is in 'decent' shape, needs a little work and the price is pretty competitive. My concern are the HDPI's. About 800 hrs but mostly Idle time, i.e. idle to the inlet, idle to weed line, idle along the weed line, idle home; sit for months on end since the owner is 1200 miles away. Every now and again open it up to make sure it goes fast. The boat is also stored in a slip on the intracoastal in S. FL. Based on what I"m hearing about the HDPI, it shuts down two cylinders at idle and can gum up the rings on the lesser used cylinders. Otherwise the boat is a 20 yr old boat with a few dings but not beat up. Needs a few things starting with a good compound and wax.

On the other hand I've been eye-balling a 2003 Edgewater 265express with twin Yam F225's. 2K hours on one, 1400 on the other after a new power head, both had the exhaust manifolds replaced. Boat is clean, really ample space, love the aft bunk and port in the head. Boat is also in FL, stored on a trailer in a warehouse and locally owned by a single owner. Never bottom painted.

My two main questions are thought's on the GW's HPDI's, since it seems like the usage pattern may be a bad thing. Extent of usage on the F225's on the EW. General thoughts on the ride of each and the value of purely dry stored v. sitting in the water. It's my understanding that the owner of the GW, did keep up with the HDPI's maintenance.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Blaugrana]

I can't give feedback on the engines, but dry stored would definitely be a preference of mine vs sitting in the water.

However, my boat was dry stored most of the year in a garage, but this 1 year with the salt air really aged the electrical considering all were original parts (~ 20 years). I am not sure it would always be the case, but being wet slipped might mean that the prior owner(s) were forced to replace most of the items over the years as the boat is being exposed to the elements unlike mine that sat cuddled in a garage.

 

[weatherguage]

Thanks for the input amamola!

 

[SeaVee]

800 hrs is not bad for those HPDI’s, guys get 2k hours out of those motors all the time. Not sure how mechanical you are, but a ton of info on changing “mystery filters”, VST’s, etc on the web.

 

[SkunkBoat]

If you own either boat for a few years you will eventually have to repower. I'd rather buy the Grady at a good price than pay up for the 17 yr old 4 strokes

 

[TUNAHUNTER197]

Still have twin 200 HPDI's on the back of my 265 with well over 1,500 hours. Waiting for them to blow up to repower but they just keep on going. Perfect motor/hull match, IMO. The engines are simple to work on but the annual maintenance is costly having as there are many filters to replace...those engines love fresh gas and clean filters. No issue with the boat being wet stored. Can't comment on the Edgewater...I'll agree with Skunk, a repower is in your future, make sure you factor that into the purchase price of both boats.

 

[weatherguage]

Loving all the feedback. Thanks! Keep it coming!