worth repowering? Single to twins on 258...

[cletus9000]

I have an '05 258 with a single 250 yammy 4-stroke with just over 1,000 hours on the engine. This setup is great for the Chesapeake where I do all my own fishing at this point, but I'm starting to get the offshore bug and am considering moving from rack storage to trailer and tow vehicle so that I can head to Ocean City, OBX, etc when the weather is good. Given the long runs out of OC, I would much prefer to have twin engines on the boat, and am toying with the idea of moving to twin 150s in the next year or two. I know this can be done, although there are some transom and rigging issues to work through. Any opinions on whether this makes sense? For context, I just put a bunch of money into the boat putting high end electronics in there that I would not get full value on in a sale. Plus when/if I buy another boat it will likely be bigger and more offshore capable. But I figure what I have now will do for some trips until that point, if only I had twins... All comments appreciated.

 

[Parthery]

Ocnslr can probably speak knowledgably about this...if I recall his Islander originally had a single 250...he repowered with F150s....

 

[magicalbill]

Is this a Journey 258 or an Islander? I thought the Islander was a 260-something.

Anyway, if it is a Journey that you own, I have a good friend out of Englewood, Fla. that has twin 150's on his and loves it. he and his wife go 25-50 miles out to deep water and the accompanying Grouper that live in it.
The boat rides well and gets over 2 MPG, I think 2.5, maybe. His boat is an 06 or an 07.

If it's an Islander, I agree with Parthery, give the platform to Ocnsir.

 

[cletus9000]

It is a Journey, 25-ft model the same as your friend has. From what I have heard the 150s are a good power option for the hull.

Is this a Journey 258 or an Islander? I thought the Islander was a 260-something.

Anyway, if it is a Journey that you own, I have a good friend out of Englewood, Fla. that has twin 150's on his and loves it. he and his wife go 25-50 miles out to deep water and the accompanying Grouper that live in it.
The boat rides well and gets over 2 MPG, I think 2.5, maybe. His boat is an 06 or an 07.

If it's an Islander, I agree with Parthery, give the platform to Ocnsir.

 

[wahoo33417]

I test rode this hull with twin 150s and they are a very good match. It is a good way to go, but we didn't go that route.

After putting 1300 hours on an F250, we repowered with the F300 last year. On the advice of the dealer, we went with a slightly larger prop. That gives us a best cruise of 26 mph getting 3.4 mpg with full fuel and not much else. 30 mph gets about 3 mpg.

The twin engines certainly add safety. It also doubles the chance that you'll have an engine problem. Either way is not a fun day.

So I got a good EPIRB, good radio and keep up the tow insurance.

Obviously not the choice of everyone, as most 258s have twins. But It has worked out well for us.

Rob

 

[cletus9000]

I test rode this hull with twin 150s and they are a very good match. It is a good way to go, but we didn't go that route.

After putting 1300 hours on an F250, we repowered with the F300 last year. On the advice of the dealer, we went with a slightly larger prop. That gives us a best cruise of 26 mph getting 3.4 mpg with full fuel and not much else. 30 mph gets about 3 mpg.

The twin engines certainly add safety. It also doubles the chance that you'll have an engine problem. Either way is not a fun day.

So I got a good EPIRB, good radio and keep up the tow insurance.

Obviously not the choice of everyone, as most 258s have twins. But It has worked out well for us.

Rob

Ron,

How far out do you go? The issue for me in the current location is that that canyons are 50 miles plus out from Ocean City. 25-30 and I'd be fine with a single, but wouldn't want to get stranded at the edge of the earth with no backup. That said the current engine has been absolutely flawless but it only takes one time. EPIRB, raft, etc would be part of the plan no matter what power. Appreciate the input.

 

[ocnslr]

If it's an Islander, I agree with Parthery, give the platform to Ocnsir.

O.K., here I am.

As I have posted many times, we purchased our 2002 Islander 270 new, with a single 250HP OX66. We put 465 hours on it in the first three seasons, and by that time we had been bitten by the offshore fishing bug.

I had no issue going offshore with a single engine, but the fuel consumption of the big 2-stroke limited our range too much on the single 150-gallon tank. We needed to repower to improve the fuel efficiency. We looked at the 300-HPDI, but decided against it. We wanted the just introduced Suzuki DF-175s, but couldn't get an availability date or a price. We had a good, local dealer with a pair of 2006 F150s, so took that path. Yes, a lot of reworking on the transom for the twins, the helm area to change from a single control to the larger dual control, and major rework of the electrical system to support twin engines and a house bank. But we saw a 5-knot improvement in cruising speed, a 7-knot increase in max speed, and a 35-40% improvement in fuel efficiency. We have made dozens of trips to the Norfolk Canyon and the deep water "overboard", about 75-85nm offshore. We have almost 1500 hours on the engines now, and they are truly outstanding.

If I was repowering now, I would go with the new F200 in-line four-cylinder Yamaha - if I was going with twins.

We have a member in our TGWC who repowered an Islander 268 last year, from the original 250HP OX66 to the new F300 4.2L Offshore series. They are extremely pleased with the engine and the overall improvement in boat performance.

If you are willing to stay with the single engine, the 4.2L Offshore 300HP would be a great choice. If you are committed to the twins, then the F150s would be great on your boat.

Don't hesitate to contact me if you have specific questions.

Brian

 

[wahoo33417]

How far out do you go? The issue for me in the current location is that that canyons are 50 miles plus out from Ocean City. 25-30 and I'd be fine with a single, but wouldn't want to get stranded at the edge of the earth with no backup. That said the current engine has been absolutely flawless but it only takes one time. EPIRB, raft, etc would be part of the plan no matter what power. Appreciate the input.

We go 20 miles out - at most. 50 miles out puts us in the Bahamas! And that trip we only (theses days) make with another boat.

 

[cletus9000]

Thanks for the replies all. Leaning towards twins if I can stomach the net cost after selling the current engine.