'04 225 explorer, tournament master

[opus68]

I'm interested in buying an '04 225 explorer, tournament master.  Looking for opinions on ride, quality etc...

Thanks

[seabob4]

I built her up until '00.  What motor?  Twin 150s would be real nice, but most likely she is a single.  Excellent quality, all composite, she knocks down spray pretty well, although in good 3-5 chop, those riding aft will get wet.  

With the TM package you get all the goodies.  But you want a 225 on her, if she's a single.  200 is light for what she is capable of.

[RickK]

With the TM package you get all the goodies.

What are "all the goodies" Bob?

[opus68]

I built her up until '00.  What motor?  Twin 150s would be real nice, but most likely she is a single.  Excellent quality, all composite, she knocks down spray pretty well, although in good 3-5 chop, those riding aft will get wet.  

With the TM package you get all the goodies.  But you want a 225 on her, if she's a single.  200 is light for what she is capable of.

it has a single evenrude 225.  Thanks for the info, that's just the kind of thing I was looking for.  Any idea on the dry weight of the boat and engine?  I'd be towing her with a 07 Tacoma (6500lb capacity).

[RickK]

Any idea on the dry weight of the boat and engine?  I'd be towing her with a 07 Tacoma (6500lb capacity).

I didn't realize the newer Tacomas could tow that much - my 03 Tacoma was rated at like 5000 with tow pkg (TRD) and a hitch attached to the frame (bumper is only rated at 3500).  My Tacoma could handle my 170 no problem. My '06 Tundra is rated at 6900 with tow pkg (plus I have 4WD). That's the reason I bought the Tundra so I could get a bigger boat for the admiral. I couldn't see me trying to tow my 230 with my Tacoma - it might pull it down the road but not up a ramp with any grade to it anyway (especially the ramp I just used on the Okeechobee waterway - 35-40% and about 60 feet long - had me concerned at first with the Tundra but had no problems).  I realize the size of the newer Tacomas are bigger, like between the older Tacomas and Tundras.
To give you a comparison, my 230 is 3300lbs plus engine (500+) dry.  Loaded it is probably over 6000 with 140 gals of fuel, 40 gals of water and all the gear.  The 225 will be pretty heavy too.  Not sure what size fuel tank it has in it (80?) and whether it has a fresh water tank in it.  Bob can give you a better idea.  Our docs in the Photo gallery only go up to '92.
Might want to test pull that boat up a ramp before you buy it to make sure the Tacoma can handle it.
My $.02

[seabob4]

OK, let me see if I can remember all the standard items on a TM package for a 225/250 Osprey.

-Custom Aluminum Bow Rail
-Trim Tabs
-Fiberglass T-Top
-Flip down leaning post/double-wide seat
-10 gal. freshwater system w/transom shower
-Armstrong removable dive ladder
-2nd set of rod holders in the gunnel caps
-Dual battery switch (duals w/twins)
-"Tournament Master" graphics
-Choice of hullside colors-Midnight Blue, Hunter Green, Fighting Lady Yellow, or white
-Custom accent striping

Pretty good for not having a sales brochure in front of me!

Now, as far as the towing ability with a Toyota Tacoma, well, I think that would be pushing it.  Look at her on a dual axle trailer, she's a pretty big girl.  I don't know the weights, but, personally, I want a larger tow vehicle.  The Tundra would handle her no problem, but the Tacoma...

[MarshMarlowe196]

I pull my boat with a 6 cylinder Dakota, but then again, mine is a tad lighter than the 225...  

[RickK]

You know that confuses me to this day - I have 66 ft of gunnel on the 230 and the boat has 2 factory rod holders (actually it still only has 2)  
And it was designed to be a deeper water fishing boat - with only 2 rod holders

What about trolling a spread