fishingFINattic:
As for repowering, I have a 2002 which is the original design and I have F225's. If you check out my pics I have posted in the pictures forum or fishing report forum you can see my boat loaded for offshore fishing. I have 700lbs of ice on board, offshore gear, 6man life raft on the bow and full fuel. The scuppers are above the waterline with about 1"+ to spare. I have been in seas to 8ft and had them crash on the transom and no water has yet come through the folding door into the cockpit. I even backed down on a fish this year and did not have water in the cockpit. Repowering should not be a problem. If you are really concerned, there are lighter 4 strokes out there from other brands which may be a viable option. I am partial to Yamaha's because they have been very reliable on my boats, but there are some other very good engines out there that you could consider as well if you are worried about the weight. Going from the two to four strokes will add roughly 200lbs total. Next time you run offshore with full fuel, have a 200lb buddy stand in the transom well and look at the scuppers and their location, this should give you an idea of how it will sit with 4 strokes if you were to ever repower.
I like that pick of the mako btw!!! I guess you did not have to worry about him thrashing around in there with that tight fit!!! I'm buying a canyon bag for this season. I do not want to deal with tuna sloshing around ondeck after we fill that well!!!
As for fish over 300lbs, when I have that problem I'll worry about it. Nomatter what 26' boat you have you will not get it onboard easily. Even the outboard boats that claim to have a transom door will not work...they are TOO SMALL as well as high off the water. Any fish up to 250lbs can easily be brought over the side, I know many charter boats with transom doors that lift 250lb big eyes right over the gunwale. If it is bigger then that just lift harder!!!!! Or tow it in....old man in the sea style. A fish that big on a boat this size needs a fun story anyways!!
As for the head height, I have to agree that most boats in this class have similar issues. For my use it is just fine. IMHO, taking up any more space for a head on a boat this size would be a waste. Like you, I use the boat to fish a lot and that is where I want my space.
Frank: As for a following sea, any boat will be tender in these conditions. Yes, this boat does have a rep for being tender but it really comes down to finding the right running speed and trimming the boat out correctly. Unfortunately, this hull does require you to use tabs so anyone who does not use them correctly or adjust them when needed will notice the boat being more tender then others. From what I have found, many captains do not adjust tabs when they should. I have been on other 265's where the captain running the boat was too lazy to adjust the tabs and the boat was more tender. As soon as I suggested adjusting the tabs and he did, it ran way better. I'm not saying this is always the case, but I have noticed this boat requires the use of tabs a little more then other boats. This may be a reason it got this rep, some boaters may not be used to using tabs as often as needed and may just think it is the boat and cannot be adjusted. I have ran a handful of other boats from various makes as well and really do not notice a difference in riding in a following sea, if it is more tender it is really nominal.