Gulfstream shopping.

I have owned a 2006 232 for the last 20 years, I bought it new and just sold it a few week ago. It had twin Yamaha 150's which ran beautifully for that boat. As a data point, I was off shore about 5 miles and had an issue with one of the engines, so i returned on the single 150. We had 4 folks onboard and I assumed that the boat would run fine on the single but was surprised to find that I was unable to get up on plane with the single 150 hp engine. My recommendation would be to go for the twins, I have never had a single on that boat but the twins run great. As mentioned, test ride the boat, more HP is always better. As far as pricing, from the analysis I did the boat sells for mid to upper $40's. I saw some re-powered 232's in the low $50's. Good Luck!
 
I have a 1989 GW Sailfish with twin Yamaha 150s. I'm in Virginia Beach so fish and boat on the Chesapeake Bay and close off shore. I know the Gulfstream is 2 feet shorter than my Sailfish but, I can say without hesitation, having twins is paramount. I believe they are similar in height above water so I would expect the Gulfstream to be a "sail boat" in high winds. I'm certain I would not have been able to control the movement of my boat in the wind without twins. There were times, even with twins I was, somewhat, out of control due to the wind.

My parameters when I was looking for a boat were: I wanted two engines but the boat could plane on one. My boat, even with the motors being so old, can, barely, plane on one. I also wanted two separate fuel tanks and two independent batteries. And, "unsinkable"?

I have had single engine boats in the past. I would not want one now. That said, they were both much smaller, less mass, boats so could be maneuvered with one engine fairly well.

But, I would like to re-power my boat! Probably to 175s at most.
 
To each his own. If you can't control a single engine boat, definitely get twins. I have zero issue maneuvering my 232 with a single screw.
 
I have a 1989 GW Sailfish with twin Yamaha 150s. I'm in Virginia Beach so fish and boat on the Chesapeake Bay and close off shore. I know the Gulfstream is 2 feet shorter than my Sailfish but, I can say without hesitation, having twins is paramount. I believe they are similar in height above water so I would expect the Gulfstream to be a "sail boat" in high winds. I'm certain I would not have been able to control the movement of my boat in the wind without twins. There were times, even with twins I was, somewhat, out of control due to the wind.

My parameters when I was looking for a boat were: I wanted two engines but the boat could plane on one. My boat, even with the motors being so old, can, barely, plane on one. I also wanted two separate fuel tanks and two independent batteries. And, "unsinkable"?

I have had single engine boats in the past. I would not want one now. That said, they were both much smaller, less mass, boats so could be maneuvered with one engine fairly well.

But, I would like to re-power my boat! Probably to 175s at most.
It's not realistic to expects a boat setup for twin engine to plane on a single engine. It's not prop'ed correctly and it's a strain on the motor.

I have a 268 Islander which is basically a narrow beam Sailfish with twin F150's. The boat has always been difficult to maneuver/dock even in a 5 knot crosswind. I have never been able to "turn" the boat with my engines. Maybe it's because they are so close together...I don't know. My solution was to install a bow thruster. That turned out to be the best investment in my boat I ever made.

IMG_0531.jpeg IMG_0505.jpeg
 
Couple of threads that discuss bow thruster install.