Fuel burn, 248 Coastal

[willy]

I like that idea Oz, nice to see ya pop up here and there.
The boat is a 1986, the transom floors and deck over cuddy etc. are solid as a rock. the cover area over the gas tank has the standard flex to it but is strong. Stringers and area around bulkheads like in front of the helm seats are very solid. They have an expensive full hard top on it from about four years ago with rod holders etc. They even have aluminum reinforcement under the gunnel that goes to the floor for where the back pipes of the hard top mount. Full expensive enclosure for it also, looks to be in good shape.
The engine is year unknown to me or the owner, when he bought it three years ago the previous owner had a complete rebuild engine put in and it is fresh water cooled, new risers and manifolds etc. at that time. I believe it is the alpha outdrive and it was completely serviced last september by one of the better shops here in NJ (D&R Marine) and he has the receipts.
Has some brand new $1500 combo FF/GPS on it that I have not seen yet as it was stored for the winter. New VHF system. Oh and a brand new heavy duty dual axle trailer.
The hull is cherry, just had a strip down done last year and a new bottom paint job done.
Only thing I found wrong when I checked it out was a thru hull valve which I believe is for the potti system is frozen open in the cabin area. At least I could not move it.
The boat has a new wash down system, new cable controls for the engine and a load of other things.
The fellow owns a small buisness next town over and he bought the boat to take his three employees out fishing a half dozen times a year but he has some type of degenerative eye disease and has lost most of his sight. Nice older gentleman, I have talked with him three times and have got the price down to $9000.
I have never had an I/O boat before, plus this thing is huge, you can play ping pong on the cockpit floor and fish and spank a few super models while your doing it.
Sea trialing it tommorow.
Any tips on these things to look for?

[charlie_the_tuna]

sounds like a hell of a deal willy. i say go for it.
i have the same engine and i know its alot more boat but i figure i burn about 8-10 gph at a nice cruising speed.
the thing really sips fuel.

[willy]

yea does not look bad, will find out in the afternoon tommorow. What should this engine cruise and max out at rpm wise.

[THEFERMANATOR]

Depends upon the model. Most of them will cruise comfortably from 3000-3400, but depending upon the heads and intake max could be 4000-5200.

[willy]

thanks

[willy]

Well the weather turned to crap and thunderstorms were popping all around. We decided not to take the 50 minute tow to the coast. Ran the boat on the combo muff and direct hose attachmnet it has for the engine. Ran it thru all rpms and had it running for about 30 minutes. Never skipped a beat. It needs and oil change and a couple of minor dress up issues attended to but it looks real nice. The full curtains will need some re-stiching at the end of this season and it needs a full set of new zincs put on.
This is the cleanest big Welli I have ever seen. The outdrive engages good with a little clunk and it is a little vague when you come out of gear, into neutral.
The trailer is brand new with disk brakes on all four wheels, has only been dunked once in its short life. The electronics are brand new and the top of the line large screen Lowrance with thru hull transducer and external antennae on top of the hard top. New VHF also.
I like it a lot but am in a big quandry with myself right now, this is a big boat. I don't know if I can afford to run around a 11-14 gallon per hour boat and am afraid if the gas gets much more expensive I won't be able to afford it at all. Plus with the huge nice teak swim platform on the back and the bow sprit I will put on for anchoring the overall length will be about 31 feet. Up here at 105-120 a foot for a slip it will be pricey every year to keep her in one.
Love it though.
Any thoughts from you guys that are running a big boy like this or have run one.

[Seacrets]

Go for it. You don't have to go far and burn alot of fuel to enjoy the water. Once in the marina, you will meet others and you can double up on some trips (take your boat one day, their's the next trip). Don't kick youself later because you didn't give it a try. I fished for years on a 248 Sportsman and you'll really like the ride.

[Blue_Runner]

Willy, my vote is for you to buy a V21