215 DC radio location

[pigbike]

Damm doodad had five prongs that wires had to be hooked to, the problem was H.D. rerouted horn wires to operate the engine fan. Stock horn was deleted, and horn button was useless. Jared got it to work but we still had the left directional problem. I finally figured it out, and we changed two wires. Everything now works, and I can pi$$ people off who aren't paying attention when they drive.

[Capt. Bob]

Here you go Bob...

Now I see said the blind man

The 215 DC really is a sweet boat, excellent for fishing and for family stuff.  Always loved that boat...

Agreed. The "walk thru" is very handy and the bow seating is what the family likes. You can do an enclosure over the helm (ever seen one with a hardtop?), plenty of seating and fishing room. The 80's Sandpiper was the CCP hull and had the recessed bow rail. I came very close to going with that model. Perfect fish/dive platform especially with a full bracket/swim platform installed .

[scrapper01]

Here you go Bob...

Now I see said the blind man

The 215 DC really is a sweet boat, excellent for fishing and for family stuff.  Always loved that boat...

Agreed. The "walk thru" is very handy and the bow seating is what the family likes. You can do an enclosure over the helm (ever seen one with a hardtop?), plenty of seating and fishing room. The 80's Sandpiper was the CCP hull and had the recessed bow rail. I came very close to going with that model. Perfect fish/dive platform especially with a full bracket/swim platform installed .

Hey Bob,

I was intrigued buy your comment regarding the 215DC and the hardtop with the enclosed cockpit. I have a 215DC and the Bimini just died, so I am giving heavy consideration to a hard top. I have never seen any pics, if you have any you can share or perhaps point me in the right direction that would be awesome. The other thing you said, I was not sure if it corresponds to the 215DC, was about the full bracket/swim platform. Does adding a full bracket to the 215DC improve ride quality? Again I have never seen one with a full bracket, so if you can share any pics, much appreciated.

I am starting to give thought to a re-power, I have an '02 250hp OX66 and am considering a new 300, if you have an opinion you can share with regards to that amount of power on my hull, I would love to hear it.

Should I be concerned with weight of all these options? My current setup includes a 36v MinnKota with 3 Group 29 batteries (2 in the v hatch in the bow, 1 in the ski locker area), the 250 OX66. Plus considering adding the weight of the hard top, engine bracket, and bigger motor. When diving in the Keys we'll head out with 4 divers, 8 tanks, and all the other crap.

[wingtime]

A 300!?!?     What is the hull rated for?  Also are you talking about a four stroke or a two stroke?  I would think a four stroke 300 would be a tad heavy.  Does your 215DC have the engine well like the one in picture Bob posted?    An engine bracket will bake the boat perform like a long boat.  It will also increase your fuel economy... just a tad. (engine is mounted a bit higher for less drag and the prop runs in cleaner water)  Back to the power and weight question.  You need to take a good look at your data plate and see what the maximum horse power and weight ratings are for that hull.  I haven't been on a 215DC but I suspect you will be way over both maximums.  On my 245 Explorer I usually consider a diving load such as yours a full load.  The weight of dive gear, tanks, ice, etc etc add up REALLY fast.  It doesn't take much to make these boat turn turtle real fast!  Bob of course will know much more than I do.

[gran398]

This one SB shows has a 200. If had to guess max HP 225, certainly no more than 250.

It would be uninsurable with a 300, not to mention liability if involved in an accident. Just a head's up.

Nice ride

[seabob4]

Well boys...max power, 300 HP...

[gran398]

Well...open mouth insert foot!!  

Thanks SB....that's a little fireball

[seabob4]

Scotty, can't say I ever saw one leave the plant with anything bigger than a 225.  Standard power was a 150, most were sold with 200s...

[seabob4]

Scrapper, I have seen 1 with a custom made hard top, many years ago.  It really looked good, the fore and aft legs were mounted to the gunnels, with diagonal fwd mounts sort of coming down across the windshields and bolting to the consoles.  Do a google search of "Aquasport 215 DC images", a pic may turn up...

[wingtime]

I'd like to see a pic of his data plate.  I'd be shocked if it says 300 HP on that.  As we know sales data can be wrong and the max HP option listed is a 225.  Even if it is rated for that much HP a 300 four stroke would be too heavy.  It don't think the extra 50 HP would gain you much anyways since the 250 is already overkill.

[seabob4]

I'd like to see a pic of his data plate.  I'd be shocked if it says 300 HP on that.  As we know sales data can be wrong and the max HP option listed is a 225.  Even if it is rated for that much HP a 300 four stroke would be too heavy.  It don't think the extra 50 HP would gain you much anyways since the 250 is already overkill.

Bruce, even the 2000 PIG book (Product Information Guide) shows the 215 DC (renamed to the 215 Osprey Sport, same boat) having a 300 HP max rating.

Keep in mind at that time there were no 300 HP O/Bs, save for the Evinrude V-8, which I believe was no longer being produced for the US market (overseas, yes).  The max anybody was building were Merc 250 Offshores and Yam 250 SW2s.  So it's not like the transom, which is obviously a single engine transom, was ever gonna see a factory 300...but the cap plate says you can throw one on there if you want to!!!

[wingtime]

Like I said I'd like to see a capacity plate for that thing.  When it comes down to it that's what will matter.

[Aswaff400]

remember Bruce, that hull is shared with the explorer, and wellcraft's coastal, both where offered as an IO with a Mercruiser 350 mag mpi  as the top motor, and was rated as 270-300 hp... and a 350 small block, transom and out drive weigh a good bit more than most 4-s outboards.

[wingtime]

remember Bruce, that hull is shared with the explorer, and wellcraft's coastal, both where offered as an IO with a Mercruiser 350 mag mpi  as the top motor, and was rated as 270-300 hp... and a 350 small block, transom and out drive weigh a good bit more than most 4-s outboards.

True Arron but the weight of the I/O is further forward and considerably lower than the outboard.   Maybe the max HP stems from the I/O models.  Like Bob said there was no such thing as a 300 hp back then.

[gran398]

IMO, forget the factory rating of a 300 HP OB for that little boat. A 200 would be a ball of fire...a 300 overkill from a weight/danger standpoint.

Anything over 50 mph...she could chine walk over to port and be on the six 'o clock news.... :(