New here, buying a Grady, could use some help from Experts

[Newt]

Hi all,

Thanks for letting me joinup. I'm moving to Lake Champlain (Colchester, VT) this summer and I really think a Fisherman 209 is going to be the new boat for me. I've found a couple of really nice used ones. One of them has a 150 Yamaha. Any advice on the experts if it's going to be underpowered? It doesn't have a t-top. I'll mostly be using it for fishing, exploring, camping. Probably mostly me, since I'm a somewhat solitary boater, but also wife, daughter, occasionally some others. Probably rarely more than 3 people, maximum 4 adults and Peanut One. I don't need a huge amount of speed, since I'll be living on Mallet's bay which means I'm about midway between the top of the lake and the bottom. So either way I'm probably never more than 60 miles from either end of the lake.

But if the boat is going to be sluggish, then I'd love advice on this. Don't want something that'll handle poorly, have a hard time planing, etc.

Anyway, thanks. And thanks for the great resource. Any other advice would be great!

Newt

 

[SmokyMtnGrady]

Re: New here, buying a Grady, could use some help from Exper

Newt,
First let it be known I am not an expert on much of anything including board. I,.however, do.have a Holiday Inn Express in my town and I have even stayed there. So, I once owned a 192 and it was powered by a.Yammy F150. We had ample power to reach a top speed of 45 and we routinely ran her loaded with people and toys. I.suspect you will be fine with a 209 powered by a F150. That seems like a perfect lake center console. Enjoy the search.

 

[Jeff_R]

Re: New here, buying a Grady, could use some help from Exper

Newt,

Welcome. I do not think you should have any concerns about running the 209 with a Yamaha F150. I know a few guys who run that motor on their 22 Boston Whaler Outrages and have top end speeds of 40mph +/-. Which is right in line with Grady's performance data shown here with a top end of 43.mph. 209 Fisherman with Yamaha F150

 

[Doc Stressor]

Re: New here, buying a Grady, could use some help from Exper

You'll be fine in freshwater with 150 hp. Especially without a T-top.

An F150 is only marginal for saltwater where it's harder to keep the boat solidly on plane in higher seas and strong currents.

The boat should handle the Champlain chop very well.

 

[Robbinson]

Re: New here, buying a Grady, could use some help from Exper

I have a daughter in Colchester (and other family in Burlington) - congrats on the move - A great location and the lake is spectacular (sorry, I know that isn't responsive to your question )

Best,

Brian

 

[g0tagrip]

Re: New here, buying a Grady, could use some help from Exper

Hopefully you already are aware of this but stay away from ethanol fuels. Always use Marine non ethanol fuel. I spent most of the day yesterday helping a buddy clean out his engines from residue from his fuel lines that the ethanol destroyed. We had to replace all his filters, his fuel lines, and clean out his carburetors. Even the needle values had fuel line particles. What a mess. He thought he would be okay by treating his fuel with one of the highly touted ethanol fuel additives. Not good.