89' 222 express fisherman walk around

[fishguy]

I AM NEW TO THIS SITE AND I AM LOOKING AT A 89' 222 WALK AROUND TO BUY. DOES ANYBODY KNOW WHERE I CAN GET THE SPECS ON THIS BOAT. WHAT SHOULD I LOOK FOR BEFORE PURCHASING? THE BOAT SEEMS TO BE IN OK CONDITION , SOME NORMAL SPIDER CRACKING, NEEDS BOTTOM PAINT AND TLC. FLOOR SEEMS SOLID. IT HAS A JOHNSON 225 W GOOD COMPRESSION AND GALV. SINGLE AXLE TRAILER. WHAT WUOLD BE A GOOD PRICE? ANY INFO WOULD HELP. I HAVE SOME PICS OF THE BOAT BUT CANT FIGURE OUT HOW TO POST THEM. I AM TOLD THAT IT IS A REPO FROM MARYLAND, IM LOOKING FOR A GREAT LAKES FISHING BOAT.   THANKS     ROB

[Bill]

Fishguy, I've got the same model, '88, with an '89 200hp Johnson. It's a great boat - have had it 25+miles off Ocean City, MD on good days and on some that turned not so good - the boat performed beautifully in all cases. As for what to look for before you buy - check out the transom to be sure there's no rot - people with experience can do this just by tapping and pounding with their hand. I'd also check out the gas tank as much as you can - I had to replace mine. Here are the basic specs from a mid-80s brochure:
Beam: 8'0"
Draft, Hull: 12"
Max HP: 240
Fuel Cap.: 85 gal.
Hull Type: Deep V
Transom Height: 25"
Dry Weight, approx.: 2200 lbs.
Max Capacity: 2200 lbs.
Deadrise 19 deg.

Bill Mussen
Shark Shadow
Annandale, VA

[Anonymous]

Bill, thank you for the info. This site has been a great help.[/img]

[Keith Knecht]

Fshguy,

What Bill said! And I know that he knows what he's talking about.  I'd do some serious checking on that single axle trailer.  My guess is that IT SHOULD BE A TANDUM!  I know Bill's is.  Doubt that single axle will carry the load and if you're going any distance, the tandem will get you home on three wheels whereas you're sitting with one wheel.

Sharkark

[fishguy]

The dealer who is selling the boat will upgrade the trailer to  a dual axel for a few hundred more. after considering sharkarks reply, upgrading will be a must. Thanks

Does anyone know how to best check the gas tank ? Pressure test?

[steved]

If you've got a leak in the gas tank, your nose will tell you. Just have a sniff in the bilge. I would recommend againt a pressure test - you might bust a seam that is really OK.

[Bill]

Fishguy, I agree with Steved, I wouldn't pressure test the tank. But I would take the large hatch cover off and get a good look at the tank for signs of corrosion, especially along any welds, seams, etc. You can check out the hose connections via the little access ports, but I'd also want to see as much of the hoses as possible - they may have to be replaced, if not now, soon. As Steved said, if you have an actual leak, you'll be able to smell it. There are holes at each corner of the gas tank compartment, so anymore than a few drips of gas will flow down into the bilge and sit there, easy for the nose to detect.

I also agree very much with Keith - you definitely want a tandem axle trailer - if you can get an upgrade for a few hundred, get it, preferably with brakes on at least one of the axles. (Some states require brakes on all axles, you'll need to see what is legal locally.) But I towed my 222 from FL to VA on an old trailer without any brakes - never again.

Good luck - hope the boat checks out and you wind up with her.

Bill
Shark Shadow