???? on 245 or 250 Aquasports

[rjoe]

Hi guys, I'm new to the forum. I'm looking at a couple of mid 90's Aquasports and have a few questions. I've fished a 24' Skipjack off southern Ca. for the last 2 years but have decided I "need" to get rid of the engine box for my Volvo 350 duoprop. My average trip here is 35 t0 50 miles south and back, for about 100 to 120 mi round trip. My Skipjack gets about 2.25 mpg overall. The Aquasports I'm looking at are a 250 Explorer and whats called a 245 osprey. Both boats from the pictures have small walk around cabins and no top. The Osprey has a euro transum [molded in from factory bracket] and the explorer has a bracket. The 245 has '98 saltwater yamaha 150's and the 250 has '94 yamaha 150's. The ad for the 245 claims 1.75 to 2 mpg. My questions are  1. What is a realistic expectation for fuel consumption with these boats? 2.  what is the difference in these hulls? 3.  How "wet" will these boats be coming "up hill" on the way back?  4. What hp would single engine need to be for good performance with these hulls?  5. Anything I should be aware of before I go see the boats in person? Sorry to be so long winded, and thanks in advance for the help.

[Capt. Bob]

Let's start here.

Model year of the hulls?

The 250 EX is a WAC (walk around cabin). A bracket might indicate a Delta Conic hull design model, again depending on the year. Assuming original motor(s) this sounds like one.

The 245 Osprey is a CC (center console). Euro transom indicates a model year 94-2005. Original motor(s) 98 fits.

Now they both may very well be WACs (then no Osprey) as it appears you stated so.......

Year and exact model are important starting points.

All boats can be (and usually are) wet. Hull design is a big factor but seamanship plays a large role dependent on winds and sea conditions.

Good luck.

[Capt. Bob]

Look similar? 245 Osprey:



250 EX

[rjoe]

Thanks for the quick response. 250 is a 1994 Explorer, just like the picture you posted. The ad for the 245 says its an osprey, but it IS NOT A CENTER CONSOLE. The picture in the craigslist ad is of a small walk around with what looks like a long open deck for fishing. I believe the 245 is an Explorer. It's a 1995 with 1998 motors.

[Capt. Bob]

[rjoe]

The craigslist ad calls the boat a 1995  245 Osprey but it is in fact, a  245 Explorer.

[wingtime]

Sounds like the ad is wrong. A 245 Osprey is a center console.   The 94 250 Explorer is a special hull that was only built for a few years.  It is a pretty fast boat for a Aquasport.  I have 1998 245 Explorer with a 1998 Johnson Ocean Runner carburetor motor.  I can cruise it at 28-30 mph and burn 14-15 GPH  So just at 2 MPG.  Of course heavy seas and a heavy load will burn a tad more.  DFI or fourstroke will get even better MPG.

[rjoe]

Thanks wingtime for the info. I always thought twins were less fuel efficient then a single, so the twin 150s  are probably closer to 1.25 to 1.75 mpg. How would you describe your 245 as an offshore performer. Out here we get a lot of 3 to 6+ ft. swell and coming back from the south the wind is usually from the port bow.

[wingtime]

A quartering wind from the bow will get you wet.  A enclosure for the hardtop will solve that.  How she does in seas depends not only on the size of the swells but the frequency and and how choppy they are.  Rollers are easy....   Here in the gulf we don't get big spaced out rollers...  if we have 3' or more it is due to winds so they are usually steep pointy confused seas. The hulls does seem to ride pretty good with out much slamming.  I'd say the euro transom/ stepped engine mount makes the hull ride like a bigger boat.  I was not a fan of the Euro transom.... until I owned one!  I'll never go back to a open transom boat again.  I've never been worried about a wave coming into the cockpit from behind.

[Aswaff400]

Thanks wingtime for the info. I always thought twins were less fuel efficient then a single, so the twin 150s  are probably closer to 1.25 to 1.75 mpg. How would you describe your 245 as an offshore performer. Out here we get a lot of 3 to 6+ ft. swell and coming back from the south the wind is usually from the port bow.

i think a twin 150 boat will run in the upper 1's for mpg. our 36 contender at work with triple 250 hpdi's burns 27 gph at 30 mph(9 gph on each motor), thats 1.11 mpg