The port engine on my Grady quit running while heading back in last week.
The problem was diagnosed as a faulty low pressure fuel pump. It's a pretty
inexpensive part, so I told the dealer to replace it and the five other ones
as a precaution.

But that same day, the owner of the dealership called to pitch me on
four-strokes. With my old motors as trade, and reusing my existing gauges
and binnacle, it became pretty cost effective to replace the old
two-strokes. I figured that the fuel (gas and oil) savings alone should
be about $3-4000/year. But more importantly, I'm going from a 5 year old
motor with no warranty, to a brand new motor with a 3-year warranty.

I may not keep the boat the 7 years it would take to recoup (in gas money)
the additional cost of upgrading. But if something major went on the
two-strokes in the next couple of years, I'm way ahead with the new engines.
Also, if I sell the boat in 4 or 5 years to upgrade to a different boat, I
figure it would be much more marketable with 4 or 5 year four-strokes, than
9 or 10 year old two-strokes.

I'll be sure to post performance data on the engines vs. the old ones once I
get past the break-in.

The new engines are twin Yamaha F250 four-strokes.

"Harry Krause" wrote in message
...
NOYB wrote:
The port engine on my Grady quit running while heading back in last week.
The problem was diagnosed as a faulty low pressure fuel pump. It's a
pretty inexpensive part, so I told the dealer to replace it and the five
other ones as a precaution.

But that same day, the owner of the dealership called to pitch me on
four-strokes. With my old motors as trade, and reusing my existing
gauges and binnacle, it became pretty cost effective to replace the old
two-strokes. I figured that the fuel (gas and oil) savings alone
should be about $3-4000/year. But more importantly, I'm going from a 5
year old motor with no warranty, to a brand new motor with a 3-year
warranty.

I may not keep the boat the 7 years it would take to recoup (in gas
money) the additional cost of upgrading. But if something major went on
the two-strokes in the next couple of years, I'm way ahead with the new
engines. Also, if I sell the boat in 4 or 5 years to upgrade to a
different boat, I figure it would be much more marketable with 4 or 5
year four-strokes, than 9 or 10 year old two-strokes.

I'll be sure to post performance data on the engines vs. the old ones
once I get past the break-in.

The new engines are twin Yamaha F250 four-strokes.


I saw a pair of those on the new Parker 28-foot pilothouse. Made me glad
Yo Ho runs fine on one engine. Next year, I was told, there may be a new
block Yamaha fourstroke of 300 hp. If so, and if I still have Yo Ho, I'll
trade up.

Email me if you will with what you figured you got in trade for the old
engines.

I'm pretty sure I got ripped on the old engines. I'm getting the new
four-strokes installed for $28k out the door. There is some incentive money
from Yamaha right now for rigging on the new engines. He's showing me about
$8k in trade on the old engines, but I'm guessing that he's giving me about
$4-5k in real money.


The older 250 two-strokes aren't worth much money right now with fuel prices
as they are. The dealer says that he plans on shipping them to a buyer "in
the islands". Your F225 would be worth quite a bit more on resale, because
everybody wants the four-strokes now.

On Mon, 22 May 2006 16:30:32 -0400, Harry Krause
wrote:

NOYB wrote:
"Harry Krause" wrote in message
...
NOYB wrote:
The port engine on my Grady quit running while heading back in last week.
The problem was diagnosed as a faulty low pressure fuel pump. It's a
pretty inexpensive part, so I told the dealer to replace it and the five
other ones as a precaution.

But that same day, the owner of the dealership called to pitch me on
four-strokes. With my old motors as trade, and reusing my existing
gauges and binnacle, it became pretty cost effective to replace the old
two-strokes. I figured that the fuel (gas and oil) savings alone
should be about $3-4000/year. But more importantly, I'm going from a 5
year old motor with no warranty, to a brand new motor with a 3-year
warranty.

I may not keep the boat the 7 years it would take to recoup (in gas
money) the additional cost of upgrading. But if something major went on
the two-strokes in the next couple of years, I'm way ahead with the new
engines. Also, if I sell the boat in 4 or 5 years to upgrade to a
different boat, I figure it would be much more marketable with 4 or 5
year four-strokes, than 9 or 10 year old two-strokes.

I'll be sure to post performance data on the engines vs. the old ones
once I get past the break-in.

The new engines are twin Yamaha F250 four-strokes.

I saw a pair of those on the new Parker 28-foot pilothouse. Made me glad
Yo Ho runs fine on one engine. Next year, I was told, there may be a new
block Yamaha fourstroke of 300 hp. If so, and if I still have Yo Ho, I'll
trade up.

Email me if you will with what you figured you got in trade for the old
engines.

I'm pretty sure I got ripped on the old engines. I'm getting the new
four-strokes installed for $28k out the door. There is some incentive money
from Yamaha right now for rigging on the new engines. He's showing me about
$8k in trade on the old engines, but I'm guessing that he's giving me about
$4-5k in real money.


The older 250 two-strokes aren't worth much money right now with fuel prices
as they are. The dealer says that he plans on shipping them to a buyer "in
the islands". Your F225 would be worth quite a bit more on resale, because
everybody wants the four-strokes now.






I was quoted my F225 and $2500 for a 2006 250 hp, a bit higher than
usual because "Gee, you take really good care of your stuff." I suspect
if there is a 300 hp four stroke next year, I'll have to pop for
$3500-$4000 and my trade.

Parker, by the way, had a nice price increase in its lines. There's a
used 2003 boat just like mine in the area for sale for $63,500. I love
it. I've had virtually no depreciation. There are similar boats "on the
market" and on the web for the high 50's, but around here, Parker and
Grady rule, and they are easy resales for damned good prices if they
have been maintained properly.

This is definitely *not* the place to get a 'good deal' on a used Parker or
Grady!
--
'Til next time,

John H

******************************************
***** Have a Spectacular Day! *****
******************************************

On Mon, 22 May 2006 16:30:32 -0400, Harry Krause
wrote:

PS. Knowing how much you like Goldfinches, I posted a picture of one for
you 'over there'.
--
'Til next time,

John H

******************************************
***** Have a Spectacular Day! *****
******************************************

"Gene Kearns" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 22 May 2006 19:34:12 GMT, NOYB penned the following well
considered thoughts to the readers of rec.boats:


But that same day, the owner of the dealership called to pitch me on
four-strokes.

I'm with Harry on this. If you go to 4-stroke.... go for MAXIMUM
horsepower and prop accordingly to hold the RPMs in the lower
acceptable max band.


Max. hp on the 2001 Marlin is 500hp.

Yamaha has a performance bulletin on those engines with 15 1/4x19 props. It
runs 47.5 mph at 6000 RPM.

"Harry Krause" wrote in message
...
NOYB wrote:
"Gene Kearns" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 22 May 2006 19:34:12 GMT, NOYB penned the following well
considered thoughts to the readers of rec.boats:


But that same day, the owner of the dealership called to pitch me on
four-strokes.
I'm with Harry on this. If you go to 4-stroke.... go for MAXIMUM
horsepower and prop accordingly to hold the RPMs in the lower
acceptable max band.


Max. hp on the 2001 Marlin is 500hp.

Yamaha has a performance bulletin on those engines with 15 1/4x19 props.
It runs 47.5 mph at 6000 RPM.




Be sure to let us know what GPH that speed translates into...it should
be...astronomical! I'm not too unhappy burning 10-11 gph at a nice cruise
speed in Yo Ho. Faster than that, and I have to wield a scimitar.


According to Grady-White and Yamaha...

42.6 gph at 47.5mph.

http://www.gradywhite.com/popup/spec...300&file=F250T

But I should be burning 4-5 gph less with these engines at 30 mph than with
the old two-strokes.

NOYB wrote:

The new engines are twin Yamaha F250 four-strokes.

Not E-Tec's?

NOYB,
Did you consider a E-Tec instead of the 4 stroke, and what was your
reasoning behind buying the simpler, less complex, but HEAVIER 4
stroke, vs. the realitively new high tech, complex but much LIGHTER
E-Tec?

NOYB wrote:
The port engine on my Grady quit running while heading back in last week.
The problem was diagnosed as a faulty low pressure fuel pump. It's a pretty
inexpensive part, so I told the dealer to replace it and the five other ones
as a precaution.

But that same day, the owner of the dealership called to pitch me on
four-strokes. With my old motors as trade, and reusing my existing gauges
and binnacle, it became pretty cost effective to replace the old
two-strokes. I figured that the fuel (gas and oil) savings alone should
be about $3-4000/year. But more importantly, I'm going from a 5 year old
motor with no warranty, to a brand new motor with a 3-year warranty.

I may not keep the boat the 7 years it would take to recoup (in gas money)
the additional cost of upgrading. But if something major went on the
two-strokes in the next couple of years, I'm way ahead with the new engines.
Also, if I sell the boat in 4 or 5 years to upgrade to a different boat, I
figure it would be much more marketable with 4 or 5 year four-strokes, than
9 or 10 year old two-strokes.

I'll be sure to post performance data on the engines vs. the old ones once I
get past the break-in.

The new engines are twin Yamaha F250 four-strokes.

Harry,
Since your current engine does the job without any problems, and your
current usage would never justify the expense of the new engine, why
would you consider buying a new engine ?

"-rick-" wrote in message
. ..
NOYB wrote:

The new engines are twin Yamaha F250 four-strokes.

Not E-Tec's?

I'm tired of buying oil.