MINIMUM HP on a 228 G

[living overseas]

Hi,
I have a 94 228 G (dual console/grady swim/motor bracket) with no motor. Initialy, I was going big, but my time off, gas, etc., are changing my mind. My question is what is the minimum HP I can get away with on this boat?

I used to have a 1982 Answer 21ft w/ a 115 evinrude and it ran OK. I know I cant go that low, but I wonder if like a 150 would suffice?

Thanks,

kevin

 

[Bill_N]

150 HP would be marginal, 175 HP better 200 HP good....

Underpowering will affect resale value as well

 

[Gman25]

I wouldnt consider anything less then a 200 for the 228 G.

'05 300 Marlin F250's

 

[magicalbill]

I always cringe a little when I read these posts.
Certainly no disrespect to living overseas, but marginally powering a boat does not result in better fuel economy as the lower HP engine works harder to operate the boat at planing speeds. Plus, sawing thru heavy seas will make it worse.
Get an engine that has some breathing room. It will last longer due to an easier life and your economy will be the same if not a little better than a smaller matchup.

I had a 1992 Seafarer with 250 HP and it was a great combo. I wouldn't think of anything under 200HP as was mentioned above by Gman.

 

[Average Joe]

Absolutely not on the 150hp. As Gman said, 200hp minimum, 225 is plenty, 250 max.

 

[jellyfish]

I would not go with anything under 200hp. I would think a F200 would be perfect on that Hull. I have a 208 with an F200 and love it. I don't have a hard top. I would not want a 150HP even on a 208 and for sure with a Hard Top.

 

[NikM820]

I currently get 3 mpg at 30 mph with a hard top and I have the F200. I have seen the original performance numbers posted on this site before and I'm sure if you look you will find it. Basically it broke down to the F200, I know was more economical and I believe faster, than the F225. If this is real world, who knows but bottom line is the F200 gets me up to 45 mph and pushes me through any sea I care to be in. Hope this helps.

 

[living overseas]

OK. I am convinced. 200-250 it is. Nikm820's numbers were quite convincing.

Let me know if you run into a deal for a motor. As always, thanks for keeping me straight. Man do I want the boat in the water by summer though!



Cheers,

 

[rcrudder]

I have a 228G with the Bimini top. My 200 Yamaha if fine and the MPG is outstanding. . .for a boat.

 

[SmokyMtnGrady]

Nik820,
On my 228 with a hardtop and F250, I get 3.1 to 3.2 mpg at cruise with a crew of 4. My top end on flat water is 43 mph. Interesting numbers there.

 

[Gman25]

Nik820,
On my 228 with a hardtop and F250, I get 3.1 to 3.2 mpg at cruise with a crew of 4. My top end on flat water is 43 mph. Interesting numbers there.

More like AWESOME numbers there.. :wow ..

 

[SmokyMtnGrady]

This performance is on a lake, on a full moon with venus aligned with mars (lol)....seriously, it is on the lake where I do most of my boating. In the ocean with 2 to 3 it drops to like 2.6 to 2.8 depending on wind and whether we are in a following or leading sea.

 

[NikM820]

Top end speed I rarely do but I know its over 40 and less than 46. My flowscan has always been dead on as far as total gallons burned when refueling so I trust the 3 MPG I burn at 30 mph. My concern was the low end power when I bought set up the combo but it does the job, very well. Different than 2 stroke power but there is always enough when I need it. If you do a search someone recently posted Gradys original testing with the 4 stroke power on the seafarer. F200 faster and more fuel efficient than F225 and F250 I think was comparable to the F200 as far as fuel efficiency but toped out a few MPH faster. Anyway I went with the F200 because I got a great deal on it.

 

[hotajax]

Minimum is 200 - you gotta be ready to make a run for it, and in heavy seas, if the need comes up.

 

[SmokyMtnGrady]

I have yammaha's fuel management system telling me GPH, total burned and fuel economy. It is pretty darn accurate within a tenth of a gallon. My 3.1 to 3.2 numbers are correct at cruise.

 

[jisbell]

Someone said MAXIMUM HP is 250--not true--go to the Grady White home page, select the boat and you will see 300HP is the maximum

 

[Grouper Duper]

Cool; OLD post revival! Anyway, the 300HP max does not apply to the '94 model the original poster owns (or owned). According the manual, the actual max is 280HP (which I guess is for all those 280HP engines you see lying around).