Thinking of repowering 99 Osprey 245 TM....need advise

[Aswaff400]

the only problem in my experience with v-rods all where recalls...

first: the shift linkage which is under the powerhead on the early 2010's and earlier, they used a riveted stud instead of a welded stud, over time the rivet would break(usually when in gear). only way to replace is to lift the powerhead. every I-6 v-rpd in the marina had this done...

the second problem is shift module harness, sometimes there would be a short and cause the motor to shut off when shifting between f-n-r, usually while docking. the fix was to replace a section on the wire harness on the powerhead. this ive seen twice, one with a 250 on a 25 trophy, the other a 29 proline express with 250's

third problem was crank case seal on the bottom of powerhead where the lower units shaft goes in, the seal could easily become damaged and cause a leak. this i have only seen once, it was a pair of 275's on a 35 donzi

all of the issues where fixed as recalls, the customer didnt pay a penny, and issues where fixed within a few hours...

one nice thing a V-Rod has that no other motor has is that unmistakeable supercharger whine!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EygplLJO9h0

[seabob4]

nice design Bob,that would give Parkers some competition,prolines were probly cheaper,and they only built 3?

Was a generator and ac an option on that boat ?

Yeah, it was a shame, Pete.  No clue whether they'll ever get back to production.  And yes, Scott, 5KW Westerbeke and 18K BTU AC were options.  The AC lived under the helm seat, ducted to feed both the cabin and the helm area.  She could sit outside all day in the 95 degree August heat, open the door to the back door to the helm, like walking into your living room!  That back wall alone cost us $3500...

[wingtime]

Bob,  It's hard to tell in the pics.  Was that a walk around model modified into a cabin?

[gran398]

Bob, that's a sweet ride...how much did they go for?

[slvrlng]

If you are going offshore or not is the question to ask yourself. If you go out a lot twin 150s would be my suggestion. Running on just one would still get you home fairly quickly. I am really liking these, looks like they are going for around 11,000 each.

http://www.mercurymarine.com/engines/ou ... rokes/150/

[seabob4]

Bruce,
The 32 Pilot was a 32 Express with a different deck, designed by my friend Steve Austin, down below she was identical to the 32 Express, except the forward end of the v-berth.  That's where the AC unit lives on a 32 Express.  You could also get the Pilot with the upper bunks, like the one in the pics has.  And Scott, she went for around $200K equipped.

You'll also notice in the pic taken looking out the aft bulkhead how empty that building looks.  That was the building I was in charge of, the "Widebody" building.  We built 29s, 32s, and 35s in there.  At the time that picture was taken, there were basically 4 of us in the whole plant building boats, once they came out of lamination.  Brad Bush, who was in our play-off pool, was one of them.  Somedays, except for break time, you wouldn't see another soul the whole day.  Really kinda weird, as that building used to have, at any given time, (4) 32s, (4) 29s, and a couple 35s, and a couple 29 Super Sports, plus 3 outside going through final checks, week in, week out.

That 32 Pilot was originally rigged for for twin 300 Zukes.  Then BRP (my buddy Kim Cagle) came to us, basically "giving" us the I-CON system if we installed it on this boat.  So de-rigged everything, yanked the Zukes off (hung them in a corner on engine stands), then Kim and I spent a day and a half re-rigging her.  The biggest part was at the motors, the newer 250s and 300s have machined in bosses to accept the shift and throttle actuators for the electronic controls, plus the powerhead gets an ECM that ties in with the electronics network behind the helm.  Pretty slick, but, like with any electronic shift and throttle system, pretty pricey as well...

[seabob4]

Lewis,
The "new" 150 4 strokes are supposed to be the way to go, re-power wise, if you want 4-stroke and you want simplicity.  I think I would wait a bit to see how they hold up over a few years...

[levelhead]

Talked to a Merc dealer today about a Vrod 300....he says it mounts into the same transom holes as the 200 Ocean Pro....somethin about universal mount holes since 98?
  This is probably covered elsewhere but my main concern is how any of the motors will hold up once ethonal/gas is all we can get...the Merc guy says ya gotta put $$$$ snake oil in with every fill.
  Anybody running the ethonal/gas thru their Vrod ?

[seabob4]

Talked to a Merc dealer today about a Vrod 300....he says it mounts into the same transom holes as the 200 Ocean Pro....somethin about universal mount holes since 98?
  This is probably covered elsewhere but my main concern is how any of the motors will hold up once ethonal/gas is all we can get...the Merc guy says ya gotta put $$$$ snake oil in with every fill.
  Anybody running the ethonal/gas thru their Vrod ?

What we call the BIA bolt pattern.  All outboards have been this way for a LONG time...

The key to fuel is fuel treatment.  Either Sta-Bil or Startron.  Do a search on THT in relation to ethanol.  And when we water tested boats at Proline with Vrods (almost everyday)?  We filled up at the local Coastal on 19 in Crystal River.  10% Ethanol.  In went a pint of Sta-Bil...

[Circle Hooked]

What we call the BIA bolt pattern. All outboards have been this way for a LONG time...

Wow learned something again, so far I've been lucky, my boat has never seen that crap yet.

[Capt. Bob]

What we call the BIA bolt pattern. All outboards have been this way for a LONG time...

Wow learned something again, so far I've been lucky, my boat has never seen that crap yet.

Funny what ya miss when you skip a post or two.

viewtopic.php?p=69361#p69361

A lot to read and twice as much to remember.

[Circle Hooked]

What we call the BIA bolt pattern. All outboards have been this way for a LONG time...

Wow learned something again, so far I've been lucky, my boat has never seen that crap yet.

Funny what ya miss when you skip a post or two.

viewtopic.php?p=69361#p69361

A lot to read and twice as much to remember.

Now I really learned something   I did miss that post  

[Capt Matt]

CB is right about the new 150 four stroke merc, give it at least a year on the market so they can work out any problems. Never buy any outboard in the first year of production.
If you run the cheap ethanol fuel you gotta use a mixer, Cheap pints of additive are much cheaper than a fuel system rebuild.
Silvring; saw a pair of the new 4 stroke merc's the other day on a trophy, sweet motors shame about the boat though...
Capt Matt

[levelhead]

Well I dropped off the boat today for the repower. After talking to all the dealers and looking at price,warranty,dealer reputation/experience etc., I went with the 300 i-con e-tech. I got a free complete rigging kit inluding all wiring,control,oil tank,guages and stainless prop. Also got the 5 year warranty thrown in.
 Was wondering what prop to get. They offer SSP,VIPER,CYCLONE,RAKER and REBEL. The dealer up here (Canada) has no experience with this type of boat. What model would be best  and would somebody know what pitch would work best ?

[GoneFission]

Propping will be trial and error - get the dealer to let you try a few props.  I would think a 13 inch diameter 4 blade 19 or 21 pitch would be about right, but you never know until you try.