Chisox

Sprockets, What's up, bud? Get yourself a new boat yet? Haven't been on THT for awhile, just wondering...

Wiley, let it run it's course. A lot of venting needs to be done. So far nothing confrontational. Let us get THT out of our system, as well as try to deal with the real world right now...

Drop, The 29 Grand Sport has been my girl since her inception. Her hull, as an Express, is one wet boat. Same hull, but CC, and she is a dry rider, even with her slab sides. She has a good bottom. My personal preference? Twin Zuke 300s or Verado 300s. 250s will move her well. If your serious about buying one, let me know. My responsibility at Proline is the "big" boats (29, 32, and 35), and I started there 1 month before 29 Grand Sport HIN 001 was seatrialed. I know her oh so well. In heavy slop at speed, she is awesome!

Badgered, Not to sound like it may be obvious, but it sure sound like an HG. What were the signs of "failure" that led you to this issue? Overheat on the Temp gauge? Perhaps a blocked intake?

Drop, Take a look at our latest offerings, the Pro-Lite series. Offered with Suz or Etec. Proline used to be one of Merc's biggest customers. But they didn't want to play the "money" game (hint: easy financing). That's why you see those 2 motors on the Transoms of Pro-Lites. Every little bit helps a company in these times. BTW, The Suzuki 300 is my favorite motor, so I'm happy...Soon to be a 400, I hope...

Matt, My employer? Proline. Yours?

When an engine company owns a boat builder...well, we don't see 4.6L Fords in Chevys now, do we? I build boats, you build engines. Let's keep it that way...

Not particularly. Engine rigging and ancillary parts (gauges, controls, helm layout) are of course different, but easy to accomodate. The key, in my opinion, and having spent 15 years at the OEM builder level, is that the customer is much more likely to purchase if he/she can have their choice of power right out of the box. Rigging the boat at the onset is so much easier, and therefore less costly, than rigging it later. When I was with Stamas Yacht, initially they were a "Yamaha Only" builder (although Suzuki made inroads in '04). Yet, with their I/B's, you could get Yanmar, Cat, Cummins, Detroit, Volvo Penta Diesel or gas, Mercruiser, or Crusader. Didn't matter. So obviously there was no monetary incentive of any great value to persuade Johnny Stamas one way or the other. At the very least, OEMs should offer a pre-rig, with all gauges, controls, harnesses, and cables in place, and let the dealer sell and hang the motors. But give the buyer a choice! Off my soapbox now...

Now that wouldn't be any fun, now would it?

BTW, where are my friends Menzies, Hydro, and Kloweree?

I see the fun is just beginning! Jeez, I s'pose we WILL need a "bilge"!

That's a helluva first post!

Hare, Contact me via email.

Fishinspot, The difference between I/O and O/B hydraulic steering is in the cylinder, not the helm. What outdrive do you have? SX? DP? The Uflex helm is compatable with your Teleflex cylinder. Give me your details and I will find out the applicable helm at a damn good price (ask ScarabChris).

I learned the shaft thread size change was due to the Verado helm pumps, which Uflex makes also. Perhaps we'll see Glen E chime in here also and have a little more knowledge about it. Hell, even our Merc field guys didn't know about it. I believe it is actually 15 mm. Don't quote me on that, but I'm pretty sure...

Well, I know ScarabChris has converted over. How is it , as far as a direct comparison to Teleflex? Turns hardover to hardover? Steering effort? Feel? Ease of bleeding? I'm interested of course, as well as my Uflex rep. She could use the business...

:lol: :lol:

Man, this is nice. Seabob/Osprey here. Good to see EVERYONE!!! Back out of work for a while. I don't think ANYONE is going to be at Proline next week. But still have my contacts...

An emphatic YES!!! The way you want it? NO!!! Being in the boat building business, I don't agree with this policy. But then, I don't write the checks either...