Suzuki Df350A install on GW Gulfstream

njfatboy

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Hello: I am having a Suzuki DF350A installed on a ‘02 GW Gulfstream 232. The installer has a concern that the cowling is taller/larger than the existing F225 Yamaha and won’t tilt all the way up. Has anyone done this install and know if this will be an issue? Thank you! Randy
 

Sardinia306Canyon

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Inside the DF300 brochure is a diagram where you can see the space needed from bracket to transom.
https://www.globalsuzuki.com/marine/lineup/df350a-325a-300b/pdf/DF350AMD_PI_web.pdf

Same should be available for your Yamaha so you may do a search for it.

The optional electronic steering of the DF350 will give a greater clearance between engine bracket and transom than a normal hydraulic steering ram. In the offer i got for them was written that electric steering is recommended and my guess is that it's for that reason.

Worst case would be the need to install a jack plate (fixed, manual or hydraulic) on the bracket to set the DF350 enough back to allow full tilt up. Consider that any set back plus the weight of the jack/setback plate will let sink the transom even deeper than the additional weight of the DF350.

I had twin Seastar/Dometic jack plates on my Venture 34 because the weight of the engine lowered the stern so much that lower units where too much submerged, but engines could tilt up totally. It was just the weight of the twin DF300AP and a 99 hull not designed for such high weight.

For your older hull it is likely that same/similar will happen so i suggest you to test what the extra weight of the DF350 will do to boat level at rest. Calculate weight difference and then have a similar weight person standing on transom or sit on cowling to simulate extra weight. Take a photo before and after to have a reference stored.
The bracket you have is most likely a positive flotation bracket what will help with the weight, however i would check that first.

Too much weight on the transom can lead to water back flowing to the scuppers as they are under water and ventilation issues when going over the hump as the stern area sit too deep and plow to the water instead of hopping up.

I am considering to replace my twin F300 with twin DF350, but weight and price is considerable higher what steers me to install twin DF300AP instead, also because i know this engine very well.

Chris
 
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Mustang65fbk

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Hello: I am having a Suzuki DF350A installed on a ‘02 GW Gulfstream 232. The installer has a concern that the cowling is taller/larger than the existing F225 Yamaha and won’t tilt all the way up. Has anyone done this install and know if this will be an issue? Thank you! Randy
As you saw/posted in the other thread, it appears as though the member Loosechips installed one on his 2003 GW 232 Gulfstream. I'd say that would be a pretty definitive "yes" answer in that it will fit. He doesn't appear to have been back on the site since 2018, so it might be difficult to ask him any questions, but you could try sending him a private message.

 

Mustang65fbk

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Also, a quick Google search pulls up others who have put a Suzuki 350 on their 232 Gulfstream... here's a 2003 GW 232 Gulfstream with a slightly older 2018 Suzuki DF350. Looks like it might be the same Loosechips member's boat from on here, or maybe to the person he sold it to, as it looks like he sold the boat. There's also a Facebook GW page with a few that have done the swap as well. Seems like a handful or more of people have done the swap successfully, though.


 
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