Max HP and/or motor weight for 1988 W/A with single bracket

[Chesapeake Troller]

New to the forum and to ownership of a Proline. Question for the experts here: I am thinking of repowering and taking the 200 Johnson 2 stroke off and replacing with a 4 stroke due to increased range. Any idea of the boats max HP and max weight of outboard? I am looking at the 225's but it looks like my increase in weight looks around 150 pounds or so, the Honda for example is 599 lbs. I have the full transom and single O/B bracket that looks to the standard from the factory version.

One other question while we are at it; what was the standard fuel tank size of the 1988 23 foot w/a? I am thinking like 88 gallons but am not sure. When this boat was rebuilt from the hull up by the previous owner, he replaced the bad original tank with a free 60 gallon one. He told me there was plenty of room for more tank but since the 60 was free he used it. I would like to replace with a larger tank but we are looking at $900 to over a grand based on some of the quotes I have gotten.

Just remembered one other question: Does any one have a good contact for information at the Proline Company itself? I have emailed twice and nobody has gotten back to me on these two questions. Really just an PDF copy of the 1988 brochure would likely answer my questions.

Thanks for the help, look forward to being part of the forum.

John
Gainesville, FL

[seabob4]

John,
Bob Christiansen here, the sole engineer at Pro-Line these days.  Granted, I didn't start there until 4 years ago (Wellcraft/Hydra-Sports/Stamas Yact before then), but I will try to help if I can.  Have you tried to contact Jim Kogler or Faron Mack in Customer Service?  I help them on a daily basis (even on weekends!), so they owe me a few.  Do them a favor, copy down your HIN, located on the starboard aft hull corner of the transom, just below the rubrail.  There should be a file on your boat in our records.

Bob C

[Chesapeake Troller]

Bob I just tried to send to you a PM, however did not get a "message sent" type of window back. Just in case the ID number I have is PLC21457J788. I will also try to contact those guys on Monday, if you can get any answers for me that would be a huge help.

Thanks again.

John

[Robert1]

Chesapeake Troller

   Welcome aboard!!!!!!     Thanks for joining


                             Happy Proline Boating

                                        Bob A

[seabob4]

John,
Yes, today's 4-strokes are heavier, but that doesn't mean you have to go 4S.  How about a 250 Etec or Opti?  Excellent motors, have the benefits of power-to-weight ratios of 2-strokes, and run just as efficiently.

If you want to see what an additional 150 lbs. would have on your boat's attitude, have a 150 lb. friend stand on top of the motor bracket and see where the cockpit drain t/hulls lie, waterline wise.  That is your biggest issue.

BTW, the Suzi 2225/250 comes in at 580 lbs. dry.  Saves you 20 lbs....

[Chesapeake Troller]

Great idea on the 150 pounder on the bracket, never would have thought of that so thanks a lot

On the newer 2 strokes vs 4; how long ago did they get as fuel efficient as a 4? A better question is how far back, ie 2003 or 2005 can I go to get the same mpg or close to it on a 2 stroke. It is hard to justify getting a brand new of either type to go on a 21 year old boat, no matter how nicely she was restored so I need to stay used.

Why did you recommend a 250 by the way? Knowing the recommended HP motor for this hull will be a big help.

John

[seabob4]

You've got a 23.  Back in my old days at Wellcraft, we offered the Wellcraft 220 CCF/Coastal and the Aquasport 225 Osprey/Explorer with twin 150s.  Therefore, your 23 can handle a 250, anb probably would be pretty cool with a 300 Etec or Suzuki.

I'm a Suzuki guy myself...

[Chesapeake Troller]

Have you tried to contact Jim Kogler or Faron Mack in Customer Service?  I help them on a daily basis (even on weekends!), so they owe me a few.  Do them a favor, copy down your HIN, located on the starboard aft hull corner of the transom, just below the rubrail.  There should be a file on your boat in our records.

Bob C

Bob did you get a chance to talk to Jim or Faron about my hull file? I was on vacation for a couple weeks and just getting back in the groove. Need max hp and/or motor weight, original size of tank, and if they know largest tank size possible that would be a plus.

Thanks for the help,

John

[seabob4]

John,
Just sent Faron an email with your questions about tank size.  I also talked to him in the plant today, so he should get back with me tomorrow.

Bob C

[seabob4]

John,
Here is Faron's reply:

Bob

The 23WA had a 90 gallon tank, The 230WA had a 116 gallon tank. Not sure
which one he has.

Faron

Hope this helps.

Bob C

[231CALIFORNIA]

in some models it was the outboard that had the larger tank because of the lack of a V8 engine in the bilge with the I/O. dont know if this is any help or wrong.
anyway, 6gallons not enought for that boat in most cases, pull it and  get a new one. or better yet, 2new ones

[Chesapeake Troller]

Thanks Bob for the followup. I do not know if it is a 23 or 230 WA, I was hoping the hull number (PLC21457J788) would give Faron a clue. Does Proline have any old brochures on PDF I can access? The pictures might help me figure it out.

231California; why/how two tanks? I am thinking the space would best be suited by one tank and cost would be less as well if I go new. I had thought of just adding another, smaller tank in the space allowed and then my cost should be less by keeping the 60 gallon one in there. But then I would need to add another fuel line and cap correct or could I run them inline to each other?

During my off season here (Grouper is closed Jan to March) the plan is to have the tank area measured out exactly and then add either a second tank or go with a single but much bigger tank. I also plan to take the small baitwell in the starboard stern corner and enlarge it for more bait space.

Lots of things to spend my money on with a boat...

[seabob4]

Does Proline have any old brochures on PDF I can access?

Ummm....no.  Don't ask me why.

One of the problems with twin tanks is that typically, boaters fill up both at the same time.  Therefore, if there is a "bad" batch of fuel, it is likely in both tanks.

You would probably be best suited with the largest tank you can fit in the compartment, and carry a spare 6-gallon portable.  We get our tanks from RDS Aluminum in Perry, FL.  Drop them a line, ask for Ray Seals.

Bob C

[Chesapeake Troller]

Thanks Bob, I contacted them last year and they are on my short list, especially since they are close to me. I know a good fiberglass company in Chiefland which is down route 19 from them.

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