Thinking of switching gulfstream to Marlin???

GreatWhite23

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I have realized I am getting one mile a gallon with my 225 OX66 twins. I was shooting for two. I am thinking about hunting a 90 s marlin that needs repower and putting my motors on her, then selling the gulfstream needing to be repowered. Most of my fishing is going to be in the twenty plus range. I like the gulfstream it is a bad fishing machine. thinking that 1. gulfstream is going to be hard to sell overpowered. 2. The cost of operation will stay they same?? 3. Smoother ride in rough seas (wife had accident last year and has issues with 4+ footers) 4. Boat is safer out in the 40 mile range. Are there any negatives to this path???
 
Your in a unique situation.
Yes, I think it would be difficult for you to sell your Gulfstream as you are above the hp limit. I also think it might be difficult to sell your boat without any power on it (especially if you take the gauges and rigging for the new Marlin).

What year is the Gulfstream and what condition is it, this might change things a little?

Your correct the Marlin is a much bigger boat, handles seas much better and you should be able to get at least 1mpg if propped right with a clean bottom and run at 4500 or less. Not sure why the fuel economy is so bad on your Gulfstream, I thought they got 2mpg or very close to that with two stroke(s). Do you run it wide open all the time?
 
Not sure why the fuel economy is so bad on your Gulfstream, I thought they got 2mpg or very close to that with two stroke(s). Do you run it wide open all the time?

I'm wondering about this also - Sailfish owners usually report 1.5 MPG with those motors and my Sailfish does ~1.2 MPG wide open. It might be worth troubleshooting the low MPG some. Are your motors too low so that the A/V plates are underwater at cruise? Is the boat overweight perhaps due to waterlogged foam or something like that? What is your wide-open-throttle RPM and speed?
 
My wide open is around 55 at 4700 rpm. But rarely have water to get it up there. I think the motors just drink gas after half throttle. I did go threw one of NC weight stations the boat and truck weight as it should. I am ok with the gas if you play you pay. But want the biggest bang for my buck.
 
The boat is a 91 with a 93 hull, Grady replaced the hull for a warranty issue. I paid 6500 for it on a trailer put new bottom paint and new canvas if i could get around 7K I would be happy. The boat is in good condition, nice shine not new but far from old. I am guess a mid 90s marlin would be 20-30k needing to be repowered?? I am not looking to set a speed record across the blue water I can live the the gas. I have two choices find a pair of 150 s to put back on or take the motors off and find a boat needing repower that the motors are better suited for.
 
I realize these outboards are the 250hp version, but this will give you an idea what to expect on a marlin.
http://www.yamahaoutboards.com/sites/de ... -GRW-Z.pdf

I believe you are grossly over propped on your Gulfstream. Your outboards are designed to have a 5500 rpm WOT if I recall correctly. I think (despite the fact that you are overpowered) you are lugging your motors. By doing this you are not allowing them to develop the horsepower/torque they are known for. I believe you are also severely hurting your fuel economy by spinning props with way too much pitch. I would try to borrow or buy a used set of props with at least two inches less pitch. I think you will hit 60mph (I would not want to be in a Gulfstream at 60) and notice the boats jumps on plane in about half the time it takes now.

In the future, if you decide to buy a Marlin and hang your 225 motors on the transom, you will likely need 15" pitch props. It will not be a rocket ship, but will probably get you 1.2 or 1.3 mpg at 4500rpm cruise around 27mph with a light load and a clean bottom.
 
My wide open is around 55 at 4700 rpm

Interesting - very fast but isn't that overpropped? Shouldn't those motors get up to 5500 RPM or more? Do overpropped motors use more fuel?

(Edit: Oops - I should have read the above post all the way before responding... Sorry..)

You might be able to sell it overpowered if you work out the fuel economy issue - it's all the in marketing. You can market it as the fastest Gulfstream on the coast and some yahoo will pay extra for it... 8)
 
Thanx
Went to the coast this weekend it does get up to 52-53 rpm my bad. As I have got older(41) 60 mph across the ocean does not appeal to me. If you take off hard you will fall out if not hanging on to something. I do not do this thew afraid of damaging boat. Yes I was thinking some yahoo might get into the overpowered gulf. When selling it I will swear to 2 mpg if driven properly :lol: . I am going for a marlin because of the distance I want to primary fish out of, there is alot of commercial netting and allot of inshore fishing plus my kids use the fishing boat to sleep in. The gas is not the end all in the gulf but would like a bigger boat. I took the gulf out to the beaufort inlet in a small craft advisory just to gain some experience she did great. My wife would prefer to take the gradywhite in the ocean over the SeaRay 340 we use as a camper. Got in some bad waves took the front end of the Searay under alot of bad rocking the grady would of laughed at those waves- 6 footers /4s. Just impressed with the gulfstream. Thank for your help with the props there is a prop shop near the marina. After I sell the fresh water boats we will start the hunt for the marlin. Oh ya a boat blew up at the marina the weekend a gas carolina classic. Guy filled up, did not turn the blower on she blew up the guy on the tower lived the guy in the back is touch and go and the guy in the cabin is badly burnt. This is what I have been told anyhow.