251WA 1999

[panhandlephinsphan]

New to the forum and new to my 1999 Proline 251WA. we just picked up up near the end of December. OB225 Johnson and trailer. Love it so far. Already used the forum to help find the fresh water pump (remove port side cockpit area cover (the one right to the port side swivel chair). Replaced it and tested out. Works great with a functional pump. Still adjusting to the boat. Came from a Shearwater flats boat and a sundance skiff flats boat. Looking forward to a great summer of fishing and family boating.

Any tips or things to be aware of are more than welcome.

[231CALIFORNIA]

BIGGEST TIPs for 251
keep bottom clean if not on trailer.if you can buy/use ethanol free fuel do so.
(many have no choice).
For a boat that size ,with a single, if you don't have a fuel flow meter, get one, make sure you are propped right to reach recommended WOT rpm,
run fuel consumption @ various  speed tables for it so you will know sweet spots and not so sweet spots including various angles of engine trim and tab.
make sure your water separator is clean, and carry spare element.
enjoy a great boat.

[panhandlephinsphan]

Great tips. Thank you.
I do keep it on a lift, keeping the bottom clean should be good to go.
I have been making the drive every few days with gas cans for ethanol free fuel. I have my last boat get gummed up pretty badly from regular fuel a few months ago.

Fuel flow meter- that sounds like a great idea. Any suggestions on brand? I definitely would like to run it at the most efficient speeds/settings.

[a7ewizard]

Any tips or things to be aware of are more than welcome.

I doubt you have an Owner's Manual.......FWIW, my '98 manual was not very informative. I had poor bilge pump splices that corroded in short order. Pull the circular access panel on the floor of the cabin towards the 'V' birth to check that bilge pump (its fuse is behind the panel below the steering wheel). Ditto for the main bilge pump (float switch and helm switch).

Check the macerator pump for the fish boxes (diaphram type). The automatic switch never worked right so I eliminated that along time age.

Mostly, the wiring/electrics have been very trouble-free.

I recently replaced my dual wipers. If you have them, and they are still working satisfactorily, pull the arms and re-seal below the spindle nut and washer.

[231CALIFORNIA]

CHECK any marine supplier for "flow scan" or "flo scan" brand fuel flow meters.
easy to install on most configurations (unless you have a diesel or gas engine with a fuel return line or some outboards with dual fuel pumps/reservoiors under hood).
a flow sensor with 3 wires goes in the fuel line, the meter mounts in a dash hole or a separate pod or box, need a few swithes for power,reset and light.
defender, west marine/boat us ,wholesale marine,hodges,Boe, all should have a selection of them. $250-350 most models except dual or  computer

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