Joining the list of Grady owners who have to repower or give it away…

Repowered my 94 Sailfish in 2021 with Merc 225's and haven't looked back. Good luck with your decision.

A couple of thoughts here... first of all would be something that obviously you don't have to tell the group, but how much money do you have into the boat currently? How much will it cost to repower? You mentioned $50k, I imagine it'll be at least that, if not maybe even $55k-$60k+ depending on who you buy from, installation costs, etc. If you do repower at say $55k-$60k+... what's the total that you're going to have into the boat at that point? Are you going to be able to get that money back or even break even? There's also a boat very similar to yours currently on Boat Trader, of which she's a 2002 that was recently repowered with twin Suzuki DF250AP's with around 100 hours on them and the owner has it listed for only $66k. If he's got his boat listed for $66k with a recent repower, what do you think you'd be able to get for yours? $70k-$75k? Maybe a little bit more? My point would be that it seems as though you could be throwing good money after bad, especially depending on how much money you've currently got into the boat as is. If you bought the boat for anything over $35k+... I don't think you'll be anywhere close to that break even point. If it's your dream boat that you plan on holding onto her for another 10, 15 or even 20 years, then sure it definitely would make sense to potentially consider repowering the boat at that point. That being said, if you're at all considering selling, getting something different or you simply have too much invested... I'd see if you can repair what you've got, maybe throw a little hoping or praying in there as well, then sell the boat and honestly move on to something else. If you do repower, as mentioned before, Suzuki is another great option and one that would likely be considerably cheaper than Yamaha, of which they also come with a 5 year warranty whereas Yamaha is only 3 years. Just my thoughts on the matter of course and giving you a few things to think about, a few options and so forth, not trying to be a jerk or anything, just what first comes to my mind when thinking about numbers, etc. Good luck with whatever you decide on doing.

If you really like the boat and it is in great shape, go used. The parts forum of The Hull Truth has many low hours v6 engines at low prices. Many are still under warranty.
While it will be a bit of a PIA to make happen, you could easily save $20k.
I sold my engines well before there was a chance for failure. I sold them for top dollar and bought new because there were few used 4 cylinder twins on the market at the time and I didn't want v6s. I won't ever get my money back, but my wife and I really like the boat and I love the performance of the new engines. For the $ I spent, I have a like new boat for a fraction of what a new one would cost.

A friend of mine just repowered his sailfish this year with twin 200 Suzukis. He had 200 HPDIs and the power difference is substantial. He loves his boat and will keep it forever.

If I was in your shoes, I’d look into Suzuki and maybe even the 200s. I love Yamaha but if repowering, Suzuki seems to be a great alternative. I also prefer the in-line 4’s to reduce weight and adds a little simplicity.

I’d also plan to sell both current motors for as much as you can get for them and factor that potential into your decision.

Repowering can be risky though if you don’t plan to keep your boat for a long time. Nobody but you will appreciate (financially) the value compared to the cost. If you think you are going to sell it within a few years, especially if you are not going to run the motors hard, you may not get much of that overhead back.

Recently I saw twin 200 Suzukis rigged for $30k. I'm not sure if they were digital or mechanical.
Someone has/had a low hour digital set on THT for $26k.
I have digital Suzuki's and love them.
Honda and Tohatsu (rebranded Hondas) can be had for great prices also, but you would definitely want the v6s in that brand.

Repowered my 2003 express 25 years ago after having a catastrophic failure 42 miles out. If the sailfish is the "right" boat for you, it is worth doing.

If the hull is in good shape, the boat fits your needs, fuel tanks ok or better yet replaced I'd repower. Anything you buy will depreciate faster and likely cost you more. The tanks and motors are the big items if the hull is decent.

Can't go wrong with that....

sailUSVI said:

Started the boat (2002 sailfish twin 225’s) yesterday to go for a run and the Port engine had a terrible miss. Took it out to see if it would clear up, nope. Pulled the plugs this morning and all 3 on right side were fouled. Left side looked perfect.

I personally would not replace just one engine so it’s repower with 2 new Yamaha 250’s. At least $50,000 bucks….

Who has done it and who has walked away ?

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Are you sure it is toast? I wonder if something could have created ignition problems on one side or if it is a head gasket?

sailUSVI said:

After much thought and homework I think I’m just going to sell it as is and take the loss. On the good side, my wife has agreed to get a new 21ft Grady Fisherman.

I was trying to decide on a Grady or Whaler of the same length and decided on Grady.

Thank you all for the input and suggestions, much appreciated

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wow. what a wife to have!

sailUSVI said:

This was last year, new water pumps, zinc, plugs, trim pumps, all fluids and never got time to launch it…total original hours, 278 +/- on both engines.
View attachment 38114

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This is really nothing as far as corrosion goes.