Voyager 258 with 225hp?

[berknuts]

Hi all, I'm shopping for my next boat and I like the Journey/Voyager 258. I've seen one with twin Yamaha 150's and another with a single Yamaha 225 4 stroke. The twins are pushing my budget, but I'm wondering if a single 225 is underpowered. Anyone know how much better the fuel efficiency would be?
Thanks in advance!

 

[berknuts]

Also, I found something on the inboard side of transom on the boat with twins shown in the photos. Cracks? Or edges of fiberglass sheets from where they were laid up without the intention of being seen? Opinions?

Finally, how many hours is the typical life of a well-maintained F150? The twins have 1150 hours on them.

 

[ocnslr]

We purchased our 2002 Islander 270 new in March 2002. Although rated at 500hp, it had a single 250hp OX66. It was adequate at best and we repowered in Oct 2005 to twin F150s.

The 225 four stroke is not a strong engine, so I expect you will see the same adequate performance. The fuel efficiency on a hard working 225 will not be significantly better than a pair of easier running 150s, assuming they are also 4-stroke.

As to hours, the number means nothing unless you know how they were run (ECM print out) and how they were maintained (see records for all maintenance, or receipts for materials if self maintenance, with log book of what was done and when). We had 1580 hrs on the F150s when sold, and compression was at factory new spec when sold, as were oil pressure and engine temps.

No comment on your photos.

 

[berknuts]

Thanks for the feedback!

 

[wahoo33417]

I think ocnslr got it just right, performance will be "adequate" with the F225. Our previous boat was the 258, essentially the same hull as the 248 except with the extended running bottom. Our boat came with the F250.

The F250 was fine in most aspects except perhaps climbing the backs of waves in a substantial following sea. I would only notice this when the seas got a bit bigger than I'd hoped by the time I got back to the inlet. Not that it couldn't do it, it just required a lot of throttle.

With the F225, you'd have to be even more judicious with the throttle in those same situations. Or, be smarter and stay out of those situations!

The other times I would have to flog the engine a bit was if we had four divers and all their tanks and gear and maybe a full tank of fuel. It would just be a bit slower to get up on plane. The F225 would be a bit slower still. But it would get there.

But in reasonably calm water and a not so heavily loaded boat, the F225 would be fine. Just not gonna be a speed demon.

I can't remember exact fuel economy, but I'm guessing ours was about 2.3 mpg under ideal cruising conditions, flat calm, etc.

Regarding the hairline cracks in the gelcoat. I usually wouldn't be too concerned about them. But there does seem to be quite a few concentrated in one area. I think I would have a professional take a look.

Also, how does the aluminum transom cap look? Is it corroded to the point where water could have gotten into the transom? How about the corner braces that receive the aluminum strip, are they intact or are they cracked? Small cracks around the screws may be normal, but more than that might indicate too much flex.

 

[DennisG01]

I agree with the engine being "adequate" thoughts. Depending on how you are using the boat it might be just fine, though.

Those cracks worry me. There's obviosuly been water, at some point anyway, coming through that hole (transducer cable?). There's no question on that. While coming THROUGH to the inside is no big deal, the fact that it is most likely soaking into the wood in the transom is a BIG deal. Combined with those cracks, my gut would tell me it's got a soft transom. The cracks look, to me, like expansion cracks - the wood has swelled from the moisture... or if in a cold climate, frozen. It's all fixable - but if you don't know much about this, you'll definitely want a survey... which can be used in negotiations, as well. As a ballpark number, I would easily budget $5K for the transom repair - which could be a discount on the price, too. But if you want to move forward, and the seller is open to it, get a couple estimates.