Repower

[kdhaynes]

I'm in the process of restoring a 1988 232G gulfstream. Boat had twin 150 Yamaha's. Before I purchased the boat one engine locked up and the owner removed the engine and moved the other engine to the
center of the engine bracket. Then the other engine started acting up and I purchased the boat. Now I'm thinking of a repower. Boat will be used on the Ohio River and KY lake. Big question is what engine or
engines. Will a twin bracket hold a single 300 or 350 horse power engine. The old 150's were 390lbs each. A Yamaha 350 is 780lbs which is the same weight. Some 300 HP engines are much lighter. I would like to run somewhere around 40 MPH. Anybody have any suggestions on engine replacements. Its just going to be a river and lake boat. Thanks for any help.

 

[luckydude]

I'm in the process of restoring a 1988 232G gulfstream. Boat had twin 150 Yamaha's. Before I purchased the boat one engine locked up and the owner removed the engine and moved the other engine to the
center of the engine bracket. Then the other engine started acting up and I purchased the boat. Now I'm thinking of a repower. Boat will be used on the Ohio River and KY lake. Big question is what engine or
engines. Will a twin bracket hold a single 300 or 350 horse power engine. The old 150's were 390lbs each. A Yamaha 350 is 780lbs which is the same weight. Some 300 HP engines are much lighter. I would like to run somewhere around 40 MPH. Anybody have any suggestions on engine replacements. Its just going to be a river and lake boat. Thanks for any help.

I have the next size down, the 228, so smaller boat. All I can do is tell you what I know and you can try and extrapolate to your boat.
My boat, without engine/gas/water/gear is 76% of the weight of yours. Yours is also wider and longer.

Grady offered the 228 with either the 250 or the 300. I got it with the 250 (that's how it was on the lot) and it is pretty nice, I've had it up to 45mph on the Pacific (flat day). Knowing what I know now, I'd prefer the 300, not for speed but for more grunt for the hole shot. The 250 can struggle a little in lumpy conditions.

You are likely to be in smoother conditions so a 300 might work. It's a lot lighter, it's about 560 pounds if I remember correctly, definitely under 600.

Good luck and keep looking, I bet someone has done this to a 232 and can give you better info.

 

[Rlloyd]

I have the same boat, 2003 model. This boat came with twin F200's. I will say it is aft-heavy, but for my use (Monterey Bay), the F200's perform very well. The downside is fuel economy - you might do a lot better with a single engine, and that may be all you need for lake/river environments.

 

[SkunkBoat]

Mercury Fourstroke (not Verado) 300 4.6L V8 is 527 pounds..maybe a few more for 25"..... Can't beat that.

Zuke V6 350 is 727 pounds for a 25" with duoprop

Zuke V6 300 is 636 pounds for 25"

 

[Blaugrana]

Mercury Fourstroke (not Verado) 300 4.6L V8 is 527 pounds..maybe a few more for 25"..... Can't beat that.

Zuke V6 350 is 727 pounds for a 25" with duoprop

Zuke V6 300 is 636 pounds for 25"

Any experience or heard feedback on the FourStroke by Mercury. Keep thinking that it’s weight is ideal for older boats

 

[luckydude]

I have the same boat, 2003 model. This boat came with twin F200's. I will say it is aft-heavy, but for my use (Monterey Bay), the F200's perform very well. The downside is fuel economy - you might do a lot better with a single engine, and that may be all you need for lake/river environments.

Just curious, what MPG do you get with those 200s? 1ish? I get about 1.5-2.3 depending on conditions. On a nice ocean, I can come it at 35mph getting over 2mpg. Smaller boat, single 250.

 

[kdhaynes]

I'm in the process of restoring a 1988 232G gulfstream. Boat had twin 150 Yamaha's. Before I purchased the boat one engine locked up and the owner removed the engine and moved the other engine to the
center of the engine bracket. Then the other engine started acting up and I purchased the boat. Now I'm thinking of a repower. Boat will be used on the Ohio River and KY lake. Big question is what engine or
engines. Will a twin bracket hold a single 300 or 350 horse power engine. The old 150's were 390lbs each. A Yamaha 350 is 780lbs which is the same weight. Some 300 HP engines are much lighter. I would like to run somewhere around 40 MPH. Anybody have any suggestions on engine replacements. Its just going to be a river and lake boat. Thanks for any help.

Thanks for the help. Sounds like the 300 HP is the way to go.

 

[Fishtales]

Suzuki 300 will be a nice fit - weight and HP for the river.

 

[luckydude]

Suzuki 300 will be a nice fit - weight and HP for the river.

You have no idea how many people I've told about that signature, so true. And, so worth it.

 

[Rlloyd]

Just curious, what MPG do you get with those 200s? 1ish? I get about 1.5-2.3 depending on conditions. On a nice ocean, I can come it at 35mph getting over 2mpg. Smaller boat, single 250.

35mph on OUR ocean? I wish Larry! Maybe I'll see that at some point. So far, I'm seeing 1.5 - 1.6 under generally good conditions at 19-21 knots. I haven't been on the water yet where I could open it up. Looking forward to that.

 

[UCPA111]

I am running a 300 Mercury Verado L6 version on my 1984 Seafarer. I'd go 300 on your larger boat if hole shot is of concern. I am very tickled with the Verado on the Seafarer. I cruise 28-32 mph with my normal load getting 2.73 mpg. In flat conditions, it likes to run 36-40 and sounds awesome. Top speed is 48-49mph with that load (4 guys, all gear, 5/8 fuel). Light, I can break into the low 50's - GPS speed. Paddle wheel speed is over 56 so I don't trust that.

My Verado weighs 660 # or so. I designed my flotation bracket to offset the weight with added buoyancy. Sits great in the water. Not stern heavy. I have videos on my Youtube page: Shawn Gross.

 

[luckydude]

35mph on OUR ocean? I wish Larry! Maybe I'll see that at some point. So far, I'm seeing 1.5 - 1.6 under generally good conditions at 19-21 knots. I haven't been on the water yet where I could open it up. Looking forward to that.

Yesterday I came back from Pidgeon Point at 9mph. Slowest I've ever had to go. 35mph is when it is nice and yes, that is rare.