I am looking to purchase a 208 Adventure,(one is a 1999 another is 1994), both boats are powered by a 2005 150 hp 4 stroke. Would this engine be too under powered for this boat when loaded and has bottom paint? Thanks for the help!
Underpowered? 208 Adventure
- Thread starter Coastal Seminole
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wahoo33417
GreatGrady Captain
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We had a 1995 208 with a two-stroke 150 for ten years. Not underpowered for most of my use. Only time I really felt the need for more power was with four scuba divers and all our tanks and gear. For most of my use, a couple of guys fishing or the family snorkeling or diving, the 150 was great. I would cruise at 4,000 rpm and 30 mph, which was Grady's stated target for two-strokes.
I'll add that the 208 was a great boat. We did many crossings to the Bahamas and runs to the keys.
Rob
I'll add that the 208 was a great boat. We did many crossings to the Bahamas and runs to the keys.
Rob
Coastal Seminole said:
208s are fine with 150 2 strokes as long as they don't have a hard top.
For a 4 stroke, the 150 may be on the underpowered side. One of the most common mistakes is selecting an engine that is on the low side of hp range. Since the 4 stroke weighs 100 pounds or so more than the 2 stroke, the ride will be equivalent to adding another passenger.
I have a 208 with a 150 2 stroke and it is plenty for me but if I load up with 4 passengers, the performance drop is noticeable. If I re-powered to a 4 stroke, I would go 175 or 200. Several years ago I spoke to a Grade rep about 4 strokes and he also advised a larger engine if i went to a 4 stroke.
By the way, in general the bottom paint isn't going to make that much difference but the number of passengers will.
Welcome to the forum! It's a fantastic information source and a great bunch of guys.
For ocean work the 150 is fine. I regularly have 4 on board and a kid or two, and it gets up on plane and cruises without issue. I do find that 44-4500rpm give better speed than the factory best cruise spec of 4200 for 27mph. I run a 15x15 prop for better bite and holeshot, so my speed at 4200 is about 25-26 depending on load. I prefer 28-30 for a cruise speed.
I have a PERMATRIM on my motor, nice option, and bennett tabs. Both work to improve performance substantially.
If I was going to do a lot of watersports on the lakes where I wanted more hole-shot and top end, then definately, a 200 would be desirable. Don't forget, it would burn more fuel too. I certainly would not want an old carbed 2-stroke, too much smoke, too much fuel. I'd take my f150 any day over one of those.
When I first got mine I looked into a 175 E-tec as I think that's the perfect engine for these boats, maybe even the 200 but it's more money and the 25more hp is just on the top end. But I passed because it was going to cost around five grand, give or take.
Another re-power option if you find one with an old style motor, would be a HPDI 200 take-off. They do come up for sale, anything with 5-600 hours or less would be a great candidate, and probably could be had for a good price. I've seen them for $5-$7,000. A low hour f150 is going to be in the $10K range.
I would take the '99 over a '94, although condition is everything. Still, newer is better. It's still a ten year old boat. With a '05 F150 you can't miss. What are they asking, what kind of trailer? Options?
For ocean work the 150 is fine. I regularly have 4 on board and a kid or two, and it gets up on plane and cruises without issue. I do find that 44-4500rpm give better speed than the factory best cruise spec of 4200 for 27mph. I run a 15x15 prop for better bite and holeshot, so my speed at 4200 is about 25-26 depending on load. I prefer 28-30 for a cruise speed.
I have a PERMATRIM on my motor, nice option, and bennett tabs. Both work to improve performance substantially.
If I was going to do a lot of watersports on the lakes where I wanted more hole-shot and top end, then definately, a 200 would be desirable. Don't forget, it would burn more fuel too. I certainly would not want an old carbed 2-stroke, too much smoke, too much fuel. I'd take my f150 any day over one of those.
When I first got mine I looked into a 175 E-tec as I think that's the perfect engine for these boats, maybe even the 200 but it's more money and the 25more hp is just on the top end. But I passed because it was going to cost around five grand, give or take.
Another re-power option if you find one with an old style motor, would be a HPDI 200 take-off. They do come up for sale, anything with 5-600 hours or less would be a great candidate, and probably could be had for a good price. I've seen them for $5-$7,000. A low hour f150 is going to be in the $10K range.
I would take the '99 over a '94, although condition is everything. Still, newer is better. It's still a ten year old boat. With a '05 F150 you can't miss. What are they asking, what kind of trailer? Options?