WELLCRAFT 250

[THEFERMANATOR]

I know this is a little off topic, but I am looking at an 88 WELLCRAFT 250(ID number says 248 though). It is in overall good condition, has som dings and such in the glass and it needs the wood replaced in the cabin bulkheads. But the major problem is somebody converted it over to FORCE outboards and cut the transom down when they did it. They made a nice aluminum plate to cover it up, but the transom sounds semi-hollow in the corners of the splashwell where the plate bolts down. I got about 3/4"-1" of flex in the transom on the starboard engine when I jumped on it, less than a 1/4" on the port side. So it needs a transom, but all of the stringers felt solid and showed no delamination. The only glass problem I found was some delamination in the bow where the water tank is mounted. It's sitting on a majic loader tandem axle aluminum trailer that is in O.K. shape(easily repaireable, carpet on bunks and needs rollers for the bow). I'm writing the engines off entirely(older FORCE 120's in bad shape). He said he'll probably take $3K for it like it is since he is moving out of the country soon.

I have a semi poor opinion of the ride of this hull, but have been told they are really not that bad. The only one I've rode in was an 84 248 with a 30" setback bracket with 2 225HP EVINRUDE loopers on it, it was super quick but slammed on the waves pretty hard. I contributed most of the rough ride though to the 2 monsters setting 30" off the transom creating a sea-saw effect. If I get it I'll be putting an 18" setback bracket on it with a pair of 140's on it to lighten it up some.

Do you think it is worth it? Are there any forums like this for the 248's and 250's?

[msbhammer]

Strange how you mentioned the sea saw effect. I was just shooting the breeze yesurday hanging out at the boat yard talking about how I like to have a bracket and one guy said, with a bracket you get a sea saw effect. Hmmm, also stated how a bracket grabs air ??.
I still do prefer brackets. 3K is way to much. New/used motors, cost of bracket is gonna kill ya, plus redoing the transom. I'd wait until the last minute before he has to move out of the country and offer a thousand bucks and go from there. Post pics. of the boat, motors and transom if you can.

[THEFERMANATOR]

Didn't have a camera with me when I looked at it. It has the outboard transom with the splashwell in it. He was asking $4600 for it until I found the transom flexing. He even told me to go ahead and check because he thaught it was solid(boy was he shocked when I jumped on the outboard and it flexed almost an inch). I figure the trailer used is worth *around $1200 and the hull around $1000-1500 in the state that it is in. But that is why I held off to stop and think about it. I know where I can get a set of 98 140HP SUZUKI EFI 2-strokes with controls and guages for $5K(probably will get the engines and hang on to them for the future), and was figuring around $1200-1500 in materials to repair the hull plus$1500-1800 for a bracket. So I would be into it for $11K and have a $15K boat. But I am going to think on it for a few days first, and see what feedback I can get.

Can't get the $500 V-20's everyday ya know ;D.

[msbhammer]

Busting my stones on teh $500.00 V-20. If I lived in Fl. I would have grabbed it !!. ;D
Put the money into the V and getter wet. ;D

[THEFERMANATOR]

Busting my stones on teh $500.00 V-20. If I lived in Fl. I would have grabbed it !!. *;D
Put the money into the V and getter wet. *;D
I wouldn't be bustin anybody's stones, not me ;D.

I've just been wanting a boat that I can trailer down to the keys and then stay on while I'm there. The 248 and 250 sportsman seems to be the cheapest one that can do it comfortably for 4 people. The V will probably end up going up for sale when summertime comes around. I've found a 25" foot and trying to see if he still has the mid-section for it as well so I can put my 140 on the V.

[sfprovyn]

I had an 83 248 with an old 235 johnny on it and it was an awsome bay boat that easily fished 4 people and never had any issues with it except a soft delalmination above the gas tank coffin lid which was no big deal to fix. Trim tabs made all the difference in the world with a heavy load and full gas tank etc...The 248 did not in my opinion have the best fishing design as it was designed for families as a weekender but it had an awsome fish box. I personally think the 240 coastal is a better fishing design which I now have . As far as fiberglass work on this hull I would check with Skools Out as he has a couple that he is currently working on in his extensive fleet...In my opinion if it has any serious transom or stringer issues then I would pass unless you can get it real cheap. This hull design is hard to get in to..Frank

[macojoe]

I fished on the same for 3 years with a buddy. We had no worry being 30 miles out cod fishing!
350 I/O and never had that see saw, was a nice stable boat!!
But agree Coastal or offshore anr much better model then the others.

[willy]

Plus I have seen on ebay and other sites those hulls and the others mentioned in good shape and with decent engines on them for under 10 g's. I think you will have a long lag time and a lot of moey and aggravation in the boat that will exceed that when you are done.

[THEFERMANATOR]

But agree Coastal or offshore anr much better model then the others.
Are you refferring to fishability? If so, I'm actually after the cabin space with the trade-off of some cockpit space. I normally won't have but 4 on board(5 or 6 if we bring the dogs) and only 2 will be fishing(the girls like to go with us). I'm looking for a weekender for 4. The 248 I rode in before had A/C in it and extra fuel with the 2 225's on a bracket. I figured I could go with 140's on an 18" bracket add in A/C and possibly some gunnel tanks for extended range and maybe even a small geny to run it at sea(or just bring my HONDA with me). Would make for a good weekender I think.

[macojoe]

It will be good for that!

But are you going to moore this thing??

If so go with a longer bracket! Your never going to be able to get the motors out of the water all the way with a 18" set back, and thats going to cause head aches with the lower units!!

[Skools Out]

that bracket will not work with twin 140's on 18" set back will take at least 24 to trim up. I have 30" set back on mine, i wouldn't give over $1800 for it. There was one on ebay recently with twin 225's on it and bracket only brought $5000 and it was nothing needed plus had new hardtop.

[kamikaze]

Hammer:

In regards to the see-saw effect of bracket, in my experience it is often very true. When installing a bracket most forget the the 26 setback of a motor will dramatically change the weight distribution within the hull - thus it will act funny under power - grab air - sea-saw and such.

Take a look at Willys boat sitting in the water and notice how level it is....( in my opinion the best sitting bracket V20 I've seen)

Most bracketed V20 ( including mine) don't sit that way and often are very stern heavy - resulting in the problems often reported with brackets.

I intend to rip my deck up and move my fuel tank ( 55 Gal) all the way up to the casting deck to re balance the hull this spring. I expect this will correct many of the problems I have been experiencing and make the ride what it should be as well as raise the scuppers so their not even with the water line when dead in the water.


Kamikaze

[msbhammer]

Thats some good thinking on relocating the fuel tank. Will halp balence out the weight.

[Skools Out]

just do what boat companies do put sand bags or lead shot bags in the front till the ride is right.

here's another 250 that was on ebay and was turn key for $5300

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a46/Skools_Out/Other%20Boats/45_1.jpg

[THEFERMANATOR]

I won't be mooring, nor building the transom up to a full transom. I'd build a door in the rear of the transom that could be folded down to allow the engines to fully trimmed. It would allow me to get rid of the splashwell, but still be easy to dive from and get in and out of the boat for swimming and such. I'm thinkin I'm going to pass on this as I don't want to get into that much glass work.

[Skools Out]

hey are you a Sea Ray Owners Club Member? what 250 do you have? any pics?

[Skools Out]

here's my 86 *SR250FC

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a46/Skools_Out/Sea%20Ray%20250/SeaRay007.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a46/Skools_Out/Sea%20Ray%20250/SeaRay009.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a46/Skools_Out/Sea%20Ray%20250/SeaRay008.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a46/Skools_Out/Sea%20Ray%20250/SeaRay010.jpg

[THEFERMANATOR]

Not a SEA RAY club member. But I do have an 86 250 in my yard. Unfortunately it is in need of re-power. Don't do work for friends! He didn't have the money so he gave me his NON-running 86 250 cuddy in trade.

[throwback]

To much $ and a lot of work put your $ in a running boat instead of a project been there done that.

[Skools Out]

go to Sea Ray website and join to get tons of discounts and also gets free 1 yr of Sea Tow for joining. or at least you use too. you will also get several different monthly mags. you'll need you hull ID to join.