Recent content by Doc Stressor

BTW, 3mpg???? My 228 averages 2.2mpg over the lifetime of the boat. When coming back in from 73 miles offshore on the fumes, my buddy pulled the tabs up, trimmed the engine back a little, he played around until he found the best MPG, we came in at 2.5mpg There are a couple of factors involved...

I'll stay involved with the forum. I can live vicariously through you guys. My wife's Alzheimer's has progressed to the point where she can no longer be left alone. So I'm a full-time caregiver now. But hey, I am almost 80 and had a really good and interesting life. Been fishing since I...

For the record, this boat sold for $33,000 on 07/13/2026.

Well, my boating and fishing days have come to an end. I put my 226 up for sale at Homosassa Marine. This is an exceptionally well-maintained boat that was always stored indoors at a high and dry marina. Everything works except for the trailer brakes that needed servicing when I turned the...

I am going to put my 226 up for sale after our 2-week gag grouper season, which ends on August 15. It has been well-maintained and may be what you are looking for. Details: 2008 Grady White 226. Due to the Great Recession, it was not put into service until April 2010. Repowered in 2019 with...

I have a 5" manual jack plate on my 226. I installed it to allow me to rapidly adjust the engine height when I switch props for a heavy or light load. Since it was put on at the same time I switched to a heavier Honda engine, I can't say if it affected the running angle or handling. I have to...

I replaced my original aluminum bang plate with the newer vinyl one using 5200 as the sealant. I also added a short manual jack plate to get the motor mount off the bang plate. The setup has worked very well.

I removed the 10-year-old stripes from my 2008 using a heat gun and a razor blade. Most of the stripping peeled off easily, all in one piece. It might be tougher with older tape. I removed the adhesive with Goof Off and gave a final wipe with acetone before applying the new tape.

The only real advantage of the 226 is that it will stay on plane at a lower speed than the 228. This can be important in rough seas. They both handle like crap during docking manuevers in general.

The only places in Florida where you can legally swim with manatees are the Crystal River and Homosassa Springs refuge areas. It is perfectly legal for private or rental boats to anchor up and swim with them. If you want private charters, contact these guys...

AGM batteries are not approved for older Yamaha engines because of the alternator/rectifier. The unit is only certified for intermittent use at maximum output. Sustained output at the maximum amperage rating can result in overheating and premature failure. AGM (and lithium) batteries have...

Assuming you are planning a trip from May to September and find a good weather window for the Bimini crossing, that trip is easy in your boat. I've run from Tarpon Springs to the Keys and the Dry Tortugas a couple of times in my 22' Gradys. And back in the days before Loran and GPS, I made a...

20 hp will not plane your boat. So you are limited by hull speed, which is about 7 mph. The difference in performance would be negligible.

The one persistent problem with older Hondas is the oxygen sensor. They need to be replaced regularly. That's why Honda did away with them in the newer D models. Otherwise, they are reliable and fuel efficient (and heavy).

The standard dose of bleach for sanitizing boat and RV tanks is 1/4 cup per 10-15 gallons of water. Let stand for at least 3 hours before flushing. But if you have a lot of algae or mold in there, you will need to use more bleach, maybe 1 cup per 10 gallons. Higher bleach levels can damage...