Repower? or Newer boat?

[Bert]

Here are the facts, I have a 2000 Proline 19' Sport w/ a 2000 Mercury 125 and a Loadmaster Trailer. This was a package from Proline I believe, I am the second owner.

I really like the boat hull, it does what I want to a point, and yes it can be a jaw breaking, wet ride. I like the shallow draft, I like the layout, and to be honest I can find few things that I don't like about the boat. The main thing I really do not like is the engine, don't get me wrong, it works great, only been towed in once and that was my fault (another story). The engine is the 125 2+2, by that I mean it runs on 2 cylinders in idle up to about 1600-1800 RPMs and then shifts to 4 cylinders, it is like going into afterburner when trying to ease up on the throttle, and I truely believe the boat will plane at those lost RPMS. And trolling, forget about any speed greater than 6 MPH.

However, I would like to fish a little further offshore than a few miles on pristine days. I would also like facilities for the grand kids and women that come along. and I would like to keep some of the shallow water capabilities.

First Idea is to repower with a new or newer engine. It would be a 2 stroke because I do not believe this hull was designed with 4 stroke in mind, and I like both the Mercury (no rigging change) and the Evinrude E-Tec, looking at under 150 HP, probably the 135 range.

Second idea is to sell the 19' Sport. I have seen them for as little as $6,500 to 12,000 in the year models 1999 to 2003. and I have seen some that I guess they really didn't want to sell for outragious money. After selling the Sport, find a Newer Proline in the 23' to 25' range Either CC or WAC, just so long as it had a portapotty. The WAC might be better to get the grandkids and their fair skinned Mom out of the sun/weather.

I have limeted myself to Proline for a few good reasons, one I like the hulls, two, where else do you find answers like you can for proline. Call them on the phone, you get someone who is working on the boats right then and they are a world of great info. the other reason is the online info, although niether of them work for Proline anylonger, they can and do help, just can't beat that with a stick!

And yes Mike C. I would consider the brand you now represent if the CS is as good or better than Proline.

Sorry I'm so long winded, you'd think I was a blowboater.

Bert

Clearwater, FL

[Bert]

I forgot to include a question.

What would you do, or how would you advise.

Bert

Clearwater, FL

[JohnBroad]

Hello,

it's been suggested before.so this time,i will suggest it,call grady customer service,ask them ,then post the results of the conversation with them.

Thanks a lot

John Broad

_____________

Ribadventuresnow.com

[Bert]

John,

Thank you for your reply, but why call Grady, do they have something to do with Prolines?

Bert

[SCAngler]

Look at the e-tec 130 . Quiet, effcient ,with plenty of torque.

You will also use very little oil running xd -100 on the xd-100 setting

[Sans Peur]

Right now I would sell the boat and upgrade. It sounds like your needs have changed somewhat with grandkinds and all. I had a Cuddy when my kids were small and needed the cover and a bathroom. Once they grew up I went back to a center console. Now that I have Grandkids (at 48 ) I went back to a cuddy again, although I do miss the center console.

One thng to think about is towing. Will your truck be able to handle a larger, heavier boat? It does make it more of a chore to use. I went from a 25' Pro Line Cuddy to a 28' Hydra Sports Center Console and the difference was remarkable. Weight, Length, Width, 2 axle to 3 axle trailer. Whole new ball game.

[Bert]

The 130 e-tec has been looked at with alot of interest, I got prices for that as my repower and there in lies the delema, right now the boat is worth maybe 8 to 9,000, with a new engine I'll still have a 19' boat (room problem still) worth how much? I'm thinking a newer 23' to 25' CC (WAC is still in the thinking). Tow vehicle is an 07 Nissan Titan.

Thanks

Bert

[Sunbury]

You won't be able to sell the boat for what you'll put in the motor if you repower so if you change your mind in a year or two you'll take a big hit in your investment. If you really like the boat and you know you're going to stick with it then maybe but there are a lot of dealers out there willing to make you a deal.

[Bert]

I would entertain a dealer for the right boat. But the dealer lots I have been to around me basicly say they don't want a 19' boat.

Bert

[lazydawg]

Sunbury has some of the right logic IMHO. I faced the same dilema of having to repower, unfortunately twin 225s, on a hull that was 10 yrs old. If I added new motors I tryed to guess or ask what would the boat be worth after the update. What I discovered was that I could have bought a 2-3 year old model with 4 stroke engines that had only 100 to 250 hours on them along with a new trailer for similar dollars. So I sold the boat "as is, cuz were 2001 optis", added about 5k less than new motors would have cost to repower to what I received for for my old rig and bought a three year old rig with 180 hrs on the motors. It also included updated electronics along with a shiney hull! Just something to consider.

Edited September 7, 2011 by lazydawg