Osprey 200 vs Explorer 225

[NoQuarterNoMercy]

I am a current owner of an osprey 200 with a 150 Yamaha carb 2 stroke. I love my boat, I really do... however, I have the itch to move up in class. I want to spend more time offshore, more comfortably. I have run the osprey up to about 20 miles offshore, no problem unless the afternoon seabreeze kicks up. Ive been soaked and pounded more than a few times. My question is, will I get a much better ride out of the Explorer 225? Is this truly moving up in class? Even if the Explorer isn't the driest in its class, its got to offer more protection from the spray than that dinky console and windshield on the osprey. Ive looked at the 250 explorer, I like it a lot, but its a bit too much to tow with my Tacoma and will not fit on my lift.

Anyway, hoping for some real world experience from those who have spent time on both hulls. Will the Explorer 225 really change my offshore experience that much? Or would I be better off going a bit bigger?

[wingtime]

I own a 245 Explorer. I've ridden in 170, 19-6 (200), 200XF (200 CCP hull), and of course the 245/250 explorer.

The hull of the 225 is considerably different than your 200. It has a deep forefoot entry with a 19 degree deadrise vs your 200s 12 degrees. So it will take the offshore waves MUCH better than your 200. My 245 has a much softer ride with less pounding than even my 200XF rode. As far as dryness... in a quartering head wind some spray will get blown back on you. However the Explorer helm is further forward so it's dryer than a Osprey. Also the windshield helps... best bet is a hardtop with an enclosure.

[NoQuarterNoMercy]

Thank you for your insight. Speaking of the forward nature of the cabin, I was wondering about how that felt riding in rough conditions. Seems to me like you get a lot of the up and down movement in bigger seas being so far forward, and a good pound in the chop if you're running it hard...esp in the 250 with all that extra room in the back. I understand you can always dial back the throttle and work the tabs to maintain the most comfortable ride as possible.. But I have this theory that a cc in the same design hull will feel like it has a more comfortable ride than its walk around counterpart due to the helm being more aft... is there any truth to that theory?

[wingtime]

The difference in ride between a CC and a WAC of the same hull has to due to CG and your relative motion to that CG. The further forward you are of that CG on a CC the more you move up and down and the rougher the ride. On a WAC the cabin and all its glass  (and hardtop on mine) add considerable weight forward so this moves the CG of the boat forward. So yes in a WAC you are sitting further foward in the hull than the CC. However I don't think it is much further FWD than the CG. I can tell you my 245 Explorer rides better than the smaller lower deadrise hull models. Also having the weight further forward changes the bow buoyancy and how it cuts into waves. I have had the opportunity to run side by side with a 245 Osprey with the exact same power as mine in some 2 foot swells. The performance numbers were almost identical even though the Explorer weighs more.

[Capt. Bob]

Wing has given you the physics lesson so I'll just talk experience.

I have the 210 WAC (Genmar hull) that morphed into the 225EX (shortened cockpit, added euro transom). Everything from helm forward is the same. My comparison is between my 84 222 CCP and this hull. While they looked similar, there were slight differences and the ride, IMHO was better in the WAC. As stated above, you will notice a much different ride at all speeds. No wake speed feels like you're in a kayak because you settle low in the water and at speed, you will notice a much smoother ride. Yes you will still get wet. That's an Aquasport trademark but once you get use to the feel of the hull, you will not look back.

For me, the cabin is a great place to store items out from underfoot. The cockpit creates a nice fishing platform and I find that while underway, I'm seated due to the ride comfort. Make no mistake, we're not talking world class CC hull comfort at high speed in rough water but a noticeable change from your Osprey in day to day use.

Good luck.

[mshugg]

Captain Bob & Wingtime, thanks for your observations. Do you think that the improvements in the Genmar hull rides were the result of hull design changes or weight that was added to the later gen hulls?

[wingtime]

I think the improvements are the results of the evolution of the design. Improved materials, construction techniques and manufacturing technology help too.

I think the maturing of the design began in the early 90s first by the Hialeah plant then by Genmar. 90-94 is where a bunch of progress was made. This is when the CCP and XF models morphed into the 225/245/250 Osprey/Explorers. Changes to the reverse chine, planing pad ( padded V-hull), Euro transom, and a more rigid hull combined to improve the ride.

[NoQuarterNoMercy]

Thanks again for the insight... when the time is right I will part ways with my beloved osprey and find a clean 225 explorer. If I find she isn't enough boat for me, with any luck I could likely sell  it for what I paid.

[NoQuarterNoMercy]

Off the top of your head, what would u say the explorer 225, with a 225hp 2stroke loaded with fuel and fishing gear weights? Trailer included?

[RickK]

I would guess around 7000 lbs. I have a 141 gal tank in my Exp - that's a lot of weight (870 lbs).  The 225 has 102gal tank - so a little less weight (630 lbs). The 225 boat weighs 4100 lbs dry. Add gear, 100qt cooler full of ice and refreshments.
http://www.classicaquasport.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=11981&title=00catpg11-225exp&cat=749

I'm going to guess the trailer is 900+ lbs for an aluminum bunk trailer big enough to handle the 225.

[wingtime]

I would say 6500-7000 lbs is about right. When I bought my 245 I had my entire rig weighed at a truck stop.  I think the total weight was 15,200. I know my truck weighs about 8000. So that puts the boat & trailer at 7000. This was when I had it on a heavy galvanized steel trailer. I haven't weighed it since I bought the all aluminum Rolls Axle trailer.

[NoQuarterNoMercy]

Is there much difference in weight between the 225 and 245? From what I understand the 245 is the 225 with a few feet added out back. That may not increase the weight too much. Add a larger fuel tank and motor too.. Both of you estimate around 7000lbs which is why I ask.... Rick for the 225 and wingman for the 245...

*Edit*  Looked at the brochhure, quotes only an extra 200 pounds for the 245 explorer

[wingtime]

I would take the weights listed in the brochure with a big grain of salt.  Keep in mind Rick has a 230 not a 225 which is a pre Euro transom model and has slightly different construction and probably has more plywood vs composite and balsa coring in later models resulting in a slightly heavier construction.

The 245 has the additional 2' located amidships between the walk around step up and the rod holder pockets.  Also the stringer grid is made a little differently.  The Fuel tank is about 40 gallons larger and is made of aluminum instead of plastic.

Pulling a boat is one thing... pulling it out of the water at the ramp and STOPING it are another.  Also there is a much larger frontal area on the Explorers resulting in more wind drag when towing.  Most trucks will list a max frontal area listed with the towing capacity info in the owners manual.