1997 Aquasport 225 Explorer transom weight capacity

[koho99]

I am looking at repowering my 1997 225 Explorer with a 250 hp 4 stroke. I know the boat is rated for up to 300 hp but that was 1997 standards. Today four strokes are quite heavier than 2 strokes so I am a bit concerned about the weight on the transom and added stress to 25 year old corner braces. I currently have a 2000 Johnson 225 Ocean Pro 2 stroke on it that weighs 455 lbs. I am looking at the Suzuki DF250 which weighs 591 lbs. I have tried searching the forums for a similar post without any luck so my questions are, does anyone have any info on what the motor weight rating was on the 1997 poured cast transoms, not horse power but weight in pounds? Additionally, has anyone repowered this particular model with a large 4 stroke? If yes, what motor and what effect, if any, did it have on how the boat sits in the water, on planning out, on general performance? Any insight will be greatly appreciated as this is quite a large investment and I want to make sure I have investigated it fully.

Also, I am brand new to the site and to the forums and want to say thanks for the add. This is my 2nd Aquasport. My first was a 1988 250 Express Fisherman with a 350 Mercruiser I/O that I ran for many years fishing offshore here in North Carolina.

[RickK]

Since there wasn't a 300 hp engine in '97, I would get the weight of two 150 HP outboards. Looks like they offered twin Merc 150s back then. If you want to see what the effect of another 136 lbs on the boat, fill and weigh sand bags and stack them on top of the engine and see how it sits in the water.

[koho99]

Thats a great idea. Looks like the 150 Mercs weighed in at 407 lbs a piece according to NADA specs. So if OMC offered the 1997 225 Explorer with a twin 150 Merc option that would put the transom weight rating above 800 lb capacity. That definitely makes me feel better. I see numerous used 4 strokes for sale here in NC due to being too heavy for the boat the person repowered and just don't want to be one of those guys! It's going to be about a $25k investment and a 6 month wait so certainly want to get it right the first time. Thanks for the info and alternative way of figuring this out.

[jdupree]

You should be fine.  I just hung a Yamaha F250 on my '99 245 Explorer.  To be honest, can't see any difference in the water.  It doesn't appear to me that the stern is any lower.  One thing is for sure, it's a whole new boat with that motor!

I guess the main question is the transom.  Mine has the composite transom.  Not sure what year Aquasport went with the poured composite transom.  I am guessing somewhere between '97 and '98.  I don't think anyone really knows.  Even if your transom is wood, as long as it's solid you won't have a problem.

[Capt. Bob]

 

[nestorpr]

You'll be fine, I recently repowered my 215 Explorer with a 2021 Suzuki 300 and even with a full fuel tank the boat handles it well so yours' being a larger boat should be even better.

[koho99]

Nestorpor, what kind of fuel economy are you getting with that 4 stroke Suzuki 300? What would you say the difference is roughly from the 2 stroke to the 4 on these heavier Aquasport hulls? I have been told I can expect about 2.5 times better efficiency. My dealer calculated that it would be like turning my 100 gallon tank into a 250 gallon, if that makes sense. Would you agree? I get that they're trying to sell engines so I like to get the info from folks who have actually done this and your boat is quite similar to mine. Any info would be appreciated.

[nestorpr]

Mind it, it's still got only 17 hours and the prop is not the correct one, it's too pitchy and the dealer will replace it during the 20 hour service. For now though I get approx. 3.5-3.7 mpg at approx. 33 mph, its best cruising speed. Originally had a Mercury 200hp 2-stroke and the difference is unbelievable; really quiet at idle, sometimes I have to look at the RPM gauge to ensure it's running! No smoke, very little vibration and even at speed it's quieter than any other outboard I've ever experienced. Even with the wrong prop and only making 5200 RPM's the boat ran up to 52 mph so I expect better performance with the right prop. The digital controls are excellent and make maneuvering at slow speeds very easy.

It wasn't cheap but all in all one of the best purchases I've ever made/

[koho99]

If you don't mind me asking, ballpark figure, how much did it end up costing you to repower with that 300? I am being quoted roughly $25k for a Suzuki DF250, installed with new cables, new hydraulic steering cylinder, new fuel tank sending unit, new controls and the LCD computer control gauge. I have never done this before so I am completely ignorant as to what it should run investment wise. Also, this opens up the new possibility of going with a 300 instead of the 250 if the price is not too much more. Again, any info will be greatly appreciated.

[nestorpr]

That sounds about normal for today. I paid $21 for a 300 this past January with everything you mentioned except the steering, mine was OK. But the dealer did not charge me for tax and labor as a gift for my 20 years in the USAF so if you added that in it would have come close to your price. There's only a few hundred $$ difference between the 250 and the 300, if I were you I'd get the 300, you'll be happier in the long run.