Well I've had the boat 2 weeks today. Most of you have read my other post here. The wife and dog took it up to Lake Sonoma today for our first time in this boat.
First impressions.
It towed so much easier then my other boats I've owned. My other boats were cabin cruisers and were much heavier and taller. I was leaning toward a 232 gulf stream and decided on the 228 because of it's size. Happy of that choice.
Front seat is not very comfortable for me. I'm 6'3" and 300 lbs. The seat it self was fine but my legs were having a tough time finding a comfortable spot. The foot rest seems to far or to low? It just kind of left my feet hanging.
Got up on plane so easy, very impressed.
My wash down pump did not pump. I could here the pump but no water pressure. Reading my owners manual it say's there is a valve to open on the port side in the stern but I couldn't locate it yet.
Fresh water didn't seem to pump. The previous owner said he never used it. I had a hard time getting fresh water in the tank. It was like it was full. I can here the pump when I turn it on but it just pissed a little rusty water and then stopped.
Steering was hard, other then kicker motors I have always owned inboard outboard boats and they steered so much easier. It's a 1999 225 ox66 with hydraulic steering. Is it normal to be so hard? High speed was not to bad, but low speed was hard to turn.
When my surveyor tested the boat the only 2 mechanical issues he found were the wash down things I mentioned above. So I was surprised when my water temp alarm started going off at low speeds. When I sped up it would stop. I just reached out to the seller, he said it did that a few months ago. He bought new thermostats and gaskets but never put them in. He says it the alarm and he never put them in. I have the new kits I'll throw them in and see if that's the problem. He says the impeller was changed about 20 hours ago.
Docking was easy I was a little concerned because I've read people on here having a hard time docking their 228's. But this was no problem and it was pretty windy and not in my favor.
Easiest boat I've owned to load on the trailer. I plan on doing a lot of solo fishing so I'm really pleased how easy it was to load.
I think I'm going to love this boat.
First impressions.
It towed so much easier then my other boats I've owned. My other boats were cabin cruisers and were much heavier and taller. I was leaning toward a 232 gulf stream and decided on the 228 because of it's size. Happy of that choice.
Front seat is not very comfortable for me. I'm 6'3" and 300 lbs. The seat it self was fine but my legs were having a tough time finding a comfortable spot. The foot rest seems to far or to low? It just kind of left my feet hanging.
Got up on plane so easy, very impressed.
My wash down pump did not pump. I could here the pump but no water pressure. Reading my owners manual it say's there is a valve to open on the port side in the stern but I couldn't locate it yet.
Fresh water didn't seem to pump. The previous owner said he never used it. I had a hard time getting fresh water in the tank. It was like it was full. I can here the pump when I turn it on but it just pissed a little rusty water and then stopped.
Steering was hard, other then kicker motors I have always owned inboard outboard boats and they steered so much easier. It's a 1999 225 ox66 with hydraulic steering. Is it normal to be so hard? High speed was not to bad, but low speed was hard to turn.
When my surveyor tested the boat the only 2 mechanical issues he found were the wash down things I mentioned above. So I was surprised when my water temp alarm started going off at low speeds. When I sped up it would stop. I just reached out to the seller, he said it did that a few months ago. He bought new thermostats and gaskets but never put them in. He says it the alarm and he never put them in. I have the new kits I'll throw them in and see if that's the problem. He says the impeller was changed about 20 hours ago.
Docking was easy I was a little concerned because I've read people on here having a hard time docking their 228's. But this was no problem and it was pretty windy and not in my favor.
Easiest boat I've owned to load on the trailer. I plan on doing a lot of solo fishing so I'm really pleased how easy it was to load.
I think I'm going to love this boat.
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