What exactly does Tournament Master series mean?

[Alan_Tampa]

What is the difference between a regular 245 ( or 250) Explorer and the Tournament Master Series?

Thanks!

[wingtime]

The Tournament Master was just a package of options.  I believe on the 245/250 it included four rod holders, aluminum bow rail (no idea why aluminum over stainless), fresh water wash down, chrome plated bronze thru hulls, cushions, Hard top, custome steering wheel, dive ladder, custom color hull sides... but not all had the (Blue or Green sides)things like that.   Aquasport was known for coming with all the bells and whistles anyways so I don't know why they needed a special package. For instance my 245 has all of the TM options and then some (excluding the aluminum bow rail and bronze thru hulls)   Probably was a marketing thing more than anything.  So basically it means the TM came with all the bells and whistles.

[Capt. Bob]

They also had a "Value Package" and a Dive Master Package" on the larger models as well as both the "Striper" and "Value" on the smaller models.

Seems only the TM and Striper came with decals.

[Alan_Tampa]

Okay, a fee bells and whistles but fundamentally the same thing.

I was hoping it meant a larger fuel tank.

With a 1999 250 johnson ocean pro, at cruising speed (in test about 4400rpm, 30 to 32 mph) what would my range be?

Thanks!

[Alan_Tampa]

A pic of my new girl. Just back from fiberglass guy for a few dock dings.

[wingtime]

Nice looking boat.  Hard to tell if it is blue or green in the pic.  That boat looks familiar. If it is green I'd almost bet I almost bought it in Tampa four years ago.  Doe is have a Lowrance HDS-5 by any chance?  Where did you pick it up?  did it have some minor damage in the middle of the cockpit floor?

Back to your question.  My 245 with a 225 Ocean Pro (basically the same engine) 4200 rpms gives me a 28-30 mph cruise with a 13.5-14GPH fuel burn on the Flo-scan.  So right about 2MPG.  141 gallons x 2 = 280 max range.  In reality I'd say 240 miles without running her dry.  This of course depends on load, winds, sea conditions, etc.  If you split your fuel range into thirds... one third to go out, one third to get back, and one third for reserves.  You can go 75-80 miles round trip easy.

[Alan_Tampa]

Wingtime: it is green and has the same lowrance unit! I haven't seen her in about 10 days but don't remember any damage in the cockpit area?

Why did you skip on her?

[wingtime]

What gave it away to me was the dual spot lights on the hardtop. When I looked at her a Spanish guy that didn't speak any English was selling her.  He lived off of Hillsborough ave.  the boats was in good shape then but had several chunks of the rubrail insert missing (no big deal) of course as usual the green was faded and needed buffing, and there was a fresh new small home in the middle of the deck roughly in the center of the rectangular fuel tank "cut out" lines.  a tree limb had fallen on the deck a day or two before I looked at her.  I passed on her cause I felt he was asking a tad too much.. and I had found my 245 in North Carolina for MUCH less $$$ but hadn't gone to look at it.  Also I decided I wanted the outriggers more than the windlass on your boat.  Clearly the boat has been cleaned up since then.  Last year I drove by the house and it looked like the boat was still in his yard under a tarp.

Here are some pics I took of it then:

[Alan_Tampa]

It was in St pete area when I got her, on a lift.
I got it from full throttle marine, evidently the person between Spanish speaking guy and the guy who had it just before made repairs.

She felt great at the sea trial, and there are/were some minor fiberglass dings (repaired as part of sales contract).


But no holes in that area of the deck.

[Capt. Bob]

Here's a marketing shot from the 03 catalog.



Later on, they would offer a TM "stainless steel" package on top of everything else.

[wingtime]

Sounds like someone was taking good care of her! The deck damage was small so it was no big deal to fix.

[Alan_Tampa]

Capt Bob, thanks for the sales pamphlet!

[Capt. Bob]

Sorry I don't have a 99 catalog and the 98 is somewhat hard to read but you get the idea. There are changes year to year (like hull color) but that's just marketing 101 trying to offer something "new" but basically the change is minimal.

I've always liked the green hull myself.

Good luck.