86-250 Osprey sits low in the water

[Wilson]

Keith - I live about 2 blocks from Angler's Addiction!  I'll try to stop by in the next couple of days.

[Keith Knecht]

Hi Wilson,

Great! Look foward to meeting you.  I'd love to show you some pictures of my 281 Osprey that I used to own.  I could post them on the site if I knew how.  It was the biggest Osprey Aquasport ever made. Like a 222 on steroids.  Only made it for two years.  Called it a 271 the first year and then a 281 the second year.  They only made about 50.  9' 7 1/2" beam and 28' 10" long with the pulpit.  4700 # dry hull weight.  A real tank but another great fishing boat.  Couldn't get it in and out of my canal or I'd still have it.

[ddd222]

do you have that horrible live well by the transom like me? Cut that thing out like i plan to do and get a real good picture of whats going on. These boats as much as i love them sit uncomfortably low in ideal situations. That area of the boat is of constant concern, and putting a water tight BIG hatch there will answer many questions

[Keith Knecht]

Hi ddd222,

Thanks for the suggestion but I don't have that boat any more.  I have a 1993- 19'6" and a 1985- 17'. Both are Ospreys.  The 250 that was in this thread did not have a bait well next to the transom.  They eliminated them in that year and just had a large access hatch cover to the bilge in that spot.  By the way the 1993, which is not a real AS has a 25" transom and it gets no water in over the transom.  So for anyone rebuilding an older boat that is also repowering, build that transom up 5" and use a 25" motor.  It's almost like having a full transom and none of the weight distribution problems.  Heck go to a 30" motor and raise the transom 10".  

Keith

[RickK]

Heck go to a 30" motor and raise the transom 10". Keith

Do they make a 30" shaft?  never seen one advertised.

[DEFIANT]

Check this out!
http://www.edsmarinesuperstore.com/yamaha.htm
300 HP HPDI Yamaha 30" Shaft.
I know little about this store and do not endorse it, but what a price!!!!

[Keith Knecht]

Hi Rickk.

They sure do.  150's are the smallest that I've seen.  More 30" yammies around than you might imagine.  I think some of the Contenders use them.  Hard Core Marine down in Miami can convert a 25" to a 30" if I'm not mistaken.  Don't know what the cost is and I'm surprised no one around this site has considered this on the 222 rebuilds.  It would give you a full transom and none of the weight distribution problems. Maybe there's a problem with transom flex with the motor that high up.  I know that the 1993 20' osprey I have looks almost like a full transom and it's just 25".  I'll try to ask a friend that builds boats if the 30" motor is practicle on a 222 and post the answer here.

[DEFIANT]

ddd222,

I had the same live well!

Beware of the fitting running through the transom into the well. Mine was almost worn thru between the transom and the well! If it sprung a leak there, it would have been a disaster!

On my transom rebuild I rebuilt the well with no gap between the transom and the well. I use the well on a regular basis to hold my catch!

[ddd222]

defiant, i ripped that plumbing out last summer, still taking water from some f-in where, has to be either of the back check valves, or the one for the coffin box, that was a discussion from a different thread. But I am still gonna cut the livin s-t outta that live well. Worstplaced live well i've ever seen, not practical to use or maintain, and is in the way of any bilge access. I am 6'1, 230 lbs, and i need 2 people holding me upside down, and reach in as high(or low being upside down) as my neck to get to the bilge area. Going to put a nice big access plate there, that area has been a headache for me on so many occassions, and my mechanic for my repower, had trouble w/ my bilge this year, ADIOS LIVEWELL!!!!!!!!

[RickK]

Check this out!
http://www.edsmarinesuperstore.com/yamaha.htm
300 HP HPDI Yamaha 30" Shaft.
I know little about this store and do not endorse it, but what a price!!!!

I browsed ed's site when I started my repower research - never saw the 30"ers though, of course I would never look at motors that big for my 170 - probably why I missed them.  Is this size shaft new?  For the big offshore boats?

[JimCt]

I think 30" shafts for the smaller engines would be a good idea.  We've got all sorts of freeboard except where we really need it.  Full height transom would be safer and stronger.

[Radioshop]

Danger Will Robinson!!!  The 300 HPDI's have had some major issues with oil injection.  There's a reason they're so cheap.