Purcahsing a 1998 G-W Adventrue 20'

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VMDatSEA

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Hi,

I'm new to the forum. I'm a lapsed sailor and am looking at a G-W 208 Adventure 1998 Vintage. The boat looks clean and I trust the yard owner who has been looking after it for several years and who tells me it's a great boat. She has 2015 Yamaha 150 hp engine with about 600 hours on it. We have a sea trial scheduled for Monday and a survery for 9/30. She has a canvas top and enclosure, no hardtop. I know there is a lot off talk about transom rot, but my understandingh is that G-W got away from wood transoms in 1997, so I'm hoping this will not be an issue. Is there anything I should be looking for during the sea trial or survery? This is my first foray into powerboat ownership, so any guidance will be helpful and appreciated.

Crosby Roper VMD
Newcastle ,ME
 
1997 is yes I believe the year that they went away from using standard marine grade plywood and instead went to a product called Greenwood XL.The transom's of these boats can still have the issue though depending on the condition, how much water intrusion there is and so forth... so it's not a guarantee or anything that there won't, or can't be an issue. I'd honestly wait for the survey first before doing a sea trial run as the surveyor might tell you something that you don't want to hear, and then you wasted a few hours of your time out on the boat when you didn't need to do that. A good surveyor should be able to find out all of the issues with the boat but getting a moisture reader as well as readings throughout the boat, checking for soft spots in the hull with a rubber mallet and soft spots on the floor are also things to look out for. Making sure all of the electronics and instrumentation work as well as bilges, GPS, trailer lights and so forth are all pretty quick and easy things to spot. I'd also consider asking those on here about the horsepower being only an F150, as most 208 Adventure's seem to come with an F200 on them, seem even more than that. I've got the performance data sheet for the boat in question with an F150 on there and your max speed is going to be 40 mph, but the even bigger issue can be a heavily loaded down boat trying to and maintaining staying on a plane. Might ask others on here for their comments about that as I don't have any directly related experience other than having the performance data sheets saved for them. I also personally wouldn't get a boat that didn't come with a hardtop as they're great for keeping people out of the elements, they don't have to be restitched or replaced every handful of years and they only add value to the boat. I might consider waiting for a boat that comes with the factory or even an aftermarket hardtop, but again that's just my opinion. Good luck with your search and with whatever route you decide on taking.
 

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I have a 98 208 rebuilt the transom last year check my posts , in the NE the cold weather helps finding the areas of moisture as it cracks the fiberglass depending on the boats life will help determine the transom condition especially look inside the bilge area and the area around the aluminum bracket under the motor which is usually an issue . I run a 150 HO Etec which handles the boat better them the orginal 175 Yamaha 2 stroke .Otherwise a simple boat things aren't complicated .
 
I believe what you heard about "wood" transoms is not quite correct - they transitioned to a "better" wood transom, made by a company called Greenwood.

But note, this still didn't solve the bane of GW's and their transom rot. The issue was entirely due to how they skipped steps in building the transom. The issue is the lack of sealing the hull to deck joint under the bang cap... and using an aluminum bang cap
 
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97 up to 2015, stringers / transoms on Gradys are Greenwood. There may be some from 2012-2015 models that started to move to composite materials. By 2016, you will see Grady's marketing change to claim the composite stringers and transom lingo for every boat.

Greenwood XL's claim is that it will not rot. You live in Maine and freezing/thawing can eventually delaminate and/or crack the fiberglass. The even bigger issue is that there is an aluminum bar embedded in the transom with the plywood (excuse me, I mean Greenwood :). That bar when it gets wet / stays wet will corrode. Saltwater can also speed up that corrosion process. I've seen pictures of what looks like a white paste under the bang cap and I suspect that is the output from the corrosion.

A good surveyor will include explanations for any terminology they are using and most are willing to cover anything in their report over a call.

For a 1998? There is a chance it has no moisture but I'd bet against that. Even if there is moisture, it may not be a deal killer for you on a 25 yo boat?
 
T.hanks for the replies. Lots of thiings to consider. I'll see what happens with the survey and sea trial. I appreciate the info.
 
DennisG01 said:
I believe what you heard about "wood" transoms is not quite correct - they transitioned to a "better" wood transom, made by a company called Greenwood.

But note, this still didn't solve the bane of GW's and their transom rot. The issue was entirely due to how they skipped steps in building the transom. The issue is the lack of sealing the hull to deck joint under the bang cap... and using an aluminum bang cap
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correct both were spots water enter mine more entering under the hull cab
 
I posted this in another thread. Since this post, I have changed out my prop to a 14 1/2 to 14 pitch to get me to 6000 rpm. I've haven't done any long runs with it, but I am seeing slightly higher mpg. I

Previous prop was a 15 1/4 15m, the data below is from that prop.

My experience with the 208 and the yamaha F150. It is perfect for what I do, although I have not been on a 208 with more HP, so I can’t compare. I typically fish with a full tank of gas, full 32 gallon bait tank, located near the transom, 60 lbs of ice and 2-3 adults. It gets on plane fine and I can run 4200 rpm and get 20-24 mph. This is lower than the performance data that GW has posted. My trips are all offshore, so I hardly ever go full throttle. I have never hit 40 mph.

My typical offshore trip is 30 miles out and running at 14-20 mph, then 3-4 hours trolling or stopped and the same 30 mile run back inshore.

37.5 top speed
2.9 mpg
4200 rpm – 20-25 mph
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1721318820817.png
 
Thanks for all the info. Went out on the river this AM. The boat got up and planed well at about 4000 RPM and cruised at about 23 mph. I have a survery scheduled for 9/30 on the hard. I'll be there to see what the surveyor has to say real time. Again, thenks for the help.
 
Sdfish said:
I posted this in another thread. Since this post, I have changed out my prop to a 14 1/2 to 14 pitch to get me to 6000 rpm. I've haven't done any long runs with it, but I am seeing slightly higher mpg. I

Previous prop was a 15 1/4 15m, the data below is from that prop.

My experience with the 208 and the yamaha F150. It is perfect for what I do, although I have not been on a 208 with more HP, so I can’t compare. I typically fish with a full tank of gas, full 32 gallon bait tank, located near the transom, 60 lbs of ice and 2-3 adults. It gets on plane fine and I can run 4200 rpm and get 20-24 mph. This is lower than the performance data that GW has posted. My trips are all offshore, so I hardly ever go full throttle. I have never hit 40 mph.

My typical offshore trip is 30 miles out and running at 14-20 mph, then 3-4 hours trolling or stopped and the same 30 mile run back inshore.

37.5 top speed
2.9 mpg
4200 rpm – 20-25 mph
1721318802068.png


1721318820817.png
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I see you're in San Diego. I spent 30 years there before moving to Maine. I had a Catalina 320 at the SDYC. Where do you keep your boat ?Definitely miss being able to get out on the water all year round. Anyway, thanks for the information and happy fishing!
 
We had a 1995 208 for ten years. It was powered by a 150 HPDI and that amount of power was fine. Bear in mind that the HPDI was two-stroke.

Our only problem in ten years of owning that boat was the horn going out. Then its replacement went out. I stopped replacing them for a more reliable manual horn.

Look closely at the aluminum 'bang cap' that covers the joint along the rear, top edge of the transom. If there is any corrosion, and there likely is, assume you'll have to replace it. It is a pretty important piece in keeping water out of your transom, assuming it is currently dry. I assume there are reasons why, but on the surface, it does not appear to be the best design.

As other have said, money spent on a survey can present expensive surprises and give peace of mind.

We had great family time on our 208. Hope you do as well.

Rob
 
VMDatSEA said:
I see you're in San Diego. I spent 30 years there before moving to Maine. I had a Catalina 320 at the SDYC. Where do you keep your boat ?Definitely miss being able to get out on the water all year round. Anyway, thanks for the information and happy fishing!
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Hi VMD, I live in Carlsbad. I keep my boat on a trailer and either launch from Oceanside or San Diego, depending on the fishing.
 
DennisG01 said:
Just out of curiosity, where 'bouts in Maine are you? I have a vacation home in Cushing (near Rockland).
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We live in Newcastle, just outside of Damariscotta. We're looking for a mooring on the river, or in Bremen where there is a nice well protected marina and apprently lots of wildlife to enjoy. We make it up to Rockland often to walk our 3 small dogs who mis the hustle and bustle of urban living. We live here year round.
 
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VMDatSEA said:
We live in Newcastle, just outside of Damariscotta. We're looking for a mooring on the river, or in Bremen where there is a nice well protected marina and apprently lots of wildlife to enjoy. We make it up to Rockland often to walk our 3 small dogs who mis the hustle and bustle of urban living. We live here year round.
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Very nice!

Beautiful lake there in Damariscotta!

I also have close relatives on Friendship Long Island and in Waldoboro.
 
VMDatSEA said:
We live in Newcastle, just outside of Damariscotta. We're looking for a mooring on the river, or in Bremen where there is a nice well protected marina and apprently lots of wildlife to enjoy. We make it up to Rockland often to walk our 3 small dogs who mis the hustle and bustle of urban living. We live here year round.
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Big Damariscotta fan, here!
 
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