Recent content by Grouper Duper

Ours is a 2001 that came with 200 HPDIs. Last hear we switched to 2008 F250s and it’s awesome. Yes, the stern sits a little lower and we’re considering moving the two start batteries to the console (where we already have a house battery). I don’t really mind that the scuppers sit a little lower...

We have an ‘01, which was the last year of the 263 version. It has the full-length running bottom with recessed trim tabs. We love the boat. - 273 has a better rear (folding) seat. - I like the newer-style bow seating better as well (split goes further forward). - 263 has the built-in ladder...

I had one just like that and sold it still running with nearly 4000 hours.

The top of the bunks on my lift are 29” apart, and that fits my 27’ Chase just fine (set up by a pro).

Back when we had our '88 228G with the original 200 Yam, we "overall averaged" around 2mpg. When we went up to a Yam 225 OX66, it went up a bit to 2.2 or so. To show the leap in technology, we now have a 27' Chase with TWO Yam 200 HPDIs. Average? 2.2mpg; amazing.

My AP11 failed as well, and I was able to find an AP22. The connectors don't match up, so I had to cut the leads and add a new connector; it has worked great ever since.

Just a minor correction that may or may not matter to you; the 228 is only 8' wide, not 8'6" as mentioned. That's why it's such a difference to the 232.

I've seen lots of older 228Gs with that setup, and they seem to do fine. I had a similar question when I owned one, and simply sent my (much smaller than me!) wife back there. She sat on the old engine, adding around 100 pounds, and the boat BARELY moved.

Just curious how you got to 8700 lbs.? Our boat has the same (though extended) hull, and weighs 5,908 on aircraft scales. This was full gear, but low fuel. Granted, the cabin will weigh significantly more than our console and T-top, but it can't be that much.

I have the 31, and it didn't work when I bought the boat a few years ago. I had the dealer "test" it, and they said it was finished and they could replace it. I decided to do it myself. I took it off, and took it apart. They're dead simple. Anyway, I put a 12v drill battery to it with a couple...

Those motors are simple, and don't fail very often. Have you verified 12v right at the motor? I would be suspicious of wiring/connections first, then the motor.

I agree with Dave. "Pre-planing" speed feels horrible because it is. From a dead stop, advance the throttles (smoothly) to full or nearly full forward. They NEED rpm to make the proper power and overcome the gearing. As it comes on plane, smoothly back off the throttle to your happy place...

We have both. It's true that for running at night or in other reduced-visibility situations, there's no replacement for radar. In fact, if it's only the safety factor you're worried about, you don't even need the open array. We have the dome and it's fantastic for collision avoidance and much...

We chose the PLB route and are happy with it. Your idea of two is excellent, provided you keep them on each person. That might be a great idea, but not so likely to execute all the time? Having at least one in the ditch bag is what we do.

I've often seen threads on speculative weights of people's boats, and have done the guessing game myself in the past. I finally brought mine into my (airport) business and used aircraft scales to get a REAL reference. The trailer was 1,212 and the boat was 5,908, or 7,120 lbs. of total towed...