I like the idea of getting out of the weather, having a small cabin, and it being a inboard yes I have my eye on one she has a mercruiser 305 inboard!
This boat is BUILT to take the lake erie chop! Do I like mine YES BUT you have to pick and choose your days!
i dont have a s/craft but a 25' s/rayQuote:
Originally Posted by BLACK PEARL
a 25 footer is great for erie...what's the beam?
is a 305 enough motor?.....dunno
I was in the same situation, I just sold my 21 ft. Center console for a bigger boat. I loved that center but absolutely am glad to have the one I just got. Having the cab let's me fish weather and waves that I could not before. I looked at a lot of sportcrafts and they don't last for sale long and people get more than there worth up here,but they hold there value but there a good boat. I liked the 252 but there isn't a lot of room in the back with the motor cowl. Good luck. If your anything like me you will have one by snow fly.
8' 6" Beam :)Quote:
Originally Posted by stubby
305 good fuel Economy good to troll with TOP speed? I really don't care not buying a DONZI with twin 454's LOL
Thanks! She's a Older girl I'm lookin at BUT showroom new WITH 300 ORIGINAL HOURS!!!! or I wouldn't be doing this!Quote:
Originally Posted by BAD KARMA
Might wanna check that out. Doubt the 250 is a 10 ft beam. The 270 is however.
MY BAD 8foot 6 inches!Quote:
Originally Posted by Lakeerieguy
states 8.6 beam .no matter how many hours still checkout the stringers and transom as I know of 3 newer models that needed both replaced even though the boat looked brand new. The 305 in it will give you no better fuel consuption then the 350 as it will run at higher RPM then the 350 at the same speed . Nice boats for sure but will need major work in the next few years if the work has not been done yet as any Sporty owner will tell you .
Good Luck
http://toledo.craigslist.org/boa/4027778152.html
even though you say your not worried about top end. if the boat is underpowered it will never get up on top of the water and plow all the time. this not only cost a lot more to run that way in gas..... but in rougher water it will ride rougher too. I know a guy who has a 25 foot whaler with a 305 and the boat just never gets on top the water and rides like crap. also if there is an emergency at home or a storms comes up having enough power to get in is important too. I am not saying the 305 would be under powered in this boat, but it has a good chance to be. just food for thought. giving all things equal. and running the same speed lets say 20mph a boat with 330hp should run cheaper than the same boat with 260hp or 230 hp this is because you need less throttle and fewer rpm to run the same speed with the higher hp motor. now gearing and prop size and slip and all that comes into play too but a hard top is nice to stay dry when it raining and rough and when its cold it even allows for heaters to be used to help stay warm
I will take out for a test run for sure the boat has been dry racked all of its life except for 1 season! :)
Thats where I got the pic from.Quote:
Originally Posted by Lakeerieguy
Still picking your days will be needed with this boat . Heading straight out the channel with the wind blowing head on in 3fters, you will take a few waves over the bow with the 305 in it due the time it will take the boat to get up on plane . My buddy had an 86 250 and its still a rough ride in 3ft plus chop.
Good Luck
PS . Watch your head walking under the hardtop if your over 6ft tall . It hurts like hell
Thanks for your time Lakeerieguy!:)Quote:
Originally Posted by Lakeerieguy
rack storage is good but does not mean threre is not any rot. we just fixed the transom on a four winns deck boat that had been rack stored its whole life in MI. this was an inboard/outboard though....but it was slowly leaking around the gimbal housing and the whole rear was gone. and to be totally honest I would think unless its already been fixed. most boats made before the mid 90s more than likely have some rot somewhere they are near or over 20years old that's a long time to ask the wood to hold up
I'm running an 88 250 offshore with the 305 I/O the only time I've ever really seen it struggle to plane out was with 6 people on board and 120 gal. Of fuel in the tank, other than that mine seems like it has enough power for a 5500 lb. boat, I've never topped it out but it'll run about 25mph at 3400rpm give or take depending on weight...... As for the fuel well either way its still a v8 : / ill use any where from 15 - 25 gal of fuel depending how far I run.
She will be inspected!Quote:
Originally Posted by branhamautomotive
Teaser PIC!
I fish with my brother in his 1987 25ft Sportcraft convertible. He bought it new and has kept it in great shape. Runs like new with only minor cosmetic issues. Does real good on the lake in up to 3-5 footers. However, if he did it again he would have bought the 27ft hardtop with IO drive. I agreed. I usually drive his boat when we go fishing and the single screw inboard can make for some interesting times when docking in the marina in a strong wind.
Attachment 1199
I run a Sport 252 with a Volvo Penta 5.0FL. My boat will run 20 knots at 3600 rpm. WOT is 4600 RPM so getting the boat on plane at anytime is not a problem for me. It has a SX outdrive and runs really well. No need to duck you head on a 250 though, only on the 252's. The 250 is not a step down. In my opinion, in the 25' class, the Sportcraft rides better than any other. Ever see a 25' baha cruiser in 3' or 4' waves? BOBBER!
Here is a pic of mine. I could not be happier with its performance.
sounds like the 305 in these might be geared enough to work well based on the other ppl that have them. the teaser pic does look nice. is the carpet snap in or not. carpet and minows can make a mess.
dad had a Thompson 25 ft hardtop when we were growning up. it sure was nice to get out of the rain and waves and the cold. I know some ppl use propane heater under them. I know some ppl who have installed like a car heater core and run the water line and a fan to make a car style heater.
dads Thompson would contain so much air under the hardtop it would drift at just over 1 to 1.5 mph some days. could almost troll from it. lol and depending on which window you opened up in the front and how much you could kinda control direction too.
Heres the sad part this boat has NEVER hardly been fish off! Used only twice a year by the owners daughter! Carpet would prolly be ripped out!Quote:
Originally Posted by branhamautomotive
Teaser pic #2
Ok whats it worth???? 1978!
1978???? Can you get a historical plate for a boat? Just kidding.....looks like a nice ride but def get her checked out, looks can be deceiving. Not good for engine to sit idle and I can say from experience that fuel left in a boat will screw up the tank and fuel system.Quote:
Originally Posted by BLACK PEARL
I have talked to ALL Mechanics that have serviced her! :pQuote:
Originally Posted by Eyezcrazy
8 k.....jmo...Quote:
Originally Posted by black pearl
I have not had good experiences with older fiberglass boats. I looked at plenty before I went with an aluminum boat and they all had rot! If you're looking at spending eight grand, I would spring for $200-$300 for a survey first.
Regardless of the low hours and little usage, I would think that they would struggle to get eight grand for a 1978. That said, a 2003 252 does book for 16 grand, so with a perfect hull and engine survey, the boat should be well worth the eight grand, imo.
The facts are that it is a 1978. They will have to pay to store it again if it doesn't sell. Plus, it's past the prime time of year to sell a boat. I would definitely make a low offer on it to see what reaction they have. It is just me, but I would probably start at six grand.
I would tend to believe what one other person posted about the 305 in that boat. It should be ok power. The v-8 should put that boat on plane in most conditions that you would want it to be on plane in. Staying on plane while breaking decent size waves may be another situation.
If buying this boat is intended to make me jealous, it is working! That is one nice looking rig!
Good Luck!
P.S. If you buy it, I will be looking forward to the performance reports as now I am really curious as to how it will perform.
Call Capt. Tony and have it surveyed before you make an offer. His survey will include a value. This guy is anal as they come and will do moisture readings versus the old knock on it with a hammer. After he's done, you will have no questions or reservations and you will know exactly what you're buying and it's value. Good Luck!
http://captaintonyllc.com/
Greg
I bought a 27 ft sportcraft fisherman new in 1984 stringers went out twice transom has little soft spot 350 inboard rebuilt once stringers done 2012 $3500 motor tuned up all fluids changed and new gauges. in the only owner 19.000 was the sticker price now they are around 80.000 I probably put that much in it in 30 years. but its been a great boat when I hear a sportcraft start up its like a Harley you can just tell
I bought my Seaswirl because it has a composite transom and fiberglass stringers to eliminate wood rot issues and keeps the boat light so it gets on plane quick and although it is just a little 21 footer, I can get 52 mph with my 305 and fuel economy is spectacular! :D
That is a nice boat, and I agree with rscotfish...they sound awesome!
I am biased towards Marinettes because I own one. My Sportsman 28' is similar to Sportcrafts 28, Marinettes are constructed completely out of aluminum. Never any rot issues, corrosion issues are only a problem in salt water. The rear deck is completely free of obstructions, the engine is totally under the deck...it's like a big dance floor! Plus the weight of a 28 is about 5500 lbs.
Just some food for thought!
I owned a 81 sport 270 with the 305. Now I have a 91 sport with 454. My advice is to go with more ponies. The extra torque really helps out. I get about the same fuel mileage maybe slightly less with the new boat. They were and are hard tops.
You guys have been awesome on this thread! Yes I will call Capt. Tony when it comes to that time! I really am in love with HER! LOL
Got a 1986 250 fisherman....love it.... 305 ..runs flat out 41 mph...lots of room to fish...trolling is easy to handle got a 9.9 merc.kicker...had stringers injected and .plated
I have a 99 sportcraft and i just took it out of the water yesterday to take it in the shop to get worked on. one thing they did wrong was when they cut out the floors for the inspection hatch they didnt seal the egdes so over time the particle board will collect water and start to rot, at least mine did. the gentleman i am taking the boat to had fixed this problem on other sportcrafts in the past, other than that and the boat not turning the way i need it to in reverse to get off the dock and out the channel lol, it has been a really good boat for us
Might be giving Captain Tony a call testing driving a 1986 270 Fisherman saturday morning! Looks the the 78 isn't going anywhere just yet!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by walleye2go
I have a sport 300 hardtop with a single 454. Very hard to get in and out of dock. Other than that I love the boat. Yes I had to replace stringers.
I have a 242 (24') Sportcraft walk-around with cab & 305 I/O. Has plenty of power even in 4 to 8 footers. Don't like to run full out in 3 foot or higher waves-too hard on the pilot. 1984 model bought used in 2006 with new transom. Had to replace stringers in 2012. Very nice to be inside in bad weather or running into the wind when spray comes into the boat. Has a cuddy big enough to hold all fishing gear with some room left over. Have to use a trolling bag as the lowest idle rpm runs the boat @ 2.2 knts but it is nice to be able to sit in the shade while trolling. Hope this is helpful.
Motor good stringers good but just to many little cosmetic things were bad! The hunt continues!Quote:
Originally Posted by BLACK PEARL
Saw a 27 sporty setting on rte 4, just north of Bucyrus a mile, not bad lookin, want a phone number ? Let me know, Mike
shoot me a number thanks! Not looking for a project boat thanks --DaveQuote:
Originally Posted by fishin2
want a Fisherman not a coastal Hardtop and inboard!