251 walk-around w/ VP duo-prop

[a7ewizard]

I'll start off by saying in my 11 years of ownership and nearly 3000 hours of running time, I am still very, very pleased with my purchase. The boat has held up very well and I haven't experienced any structural or fuel tank issues. I am on my second engine and outdrive....more on this a little further down. I purchased this boat new with the following optional features as I recall, a few items dealer installed: Volvo Penta 7.4Gi with DPs duo-prop; bimini soft top and curtain package, overnighter package (AC/alcohol stove, mini-frig, filler bolster for V berth), dual batteries, macerator head, shore power, battery charger, Horizon 500 windlass, second windshield wiper, trim tabs.

Major Pros:
Seaworthy hull, high gunwales, walkaround, good economy, great range, big fishboxes, excellent tackle storage (large bins behind seats and built-in tackle trays) lockable helm box, sliding cabin door, removable cockpit bolsters, trim tabs (a must!), fishable cockpit for 4 adults.

Minor Cons:
Livewell, separate head, very tight berth for two, low windshield height.

Engine:
The original engine broke down hard with just under 1500 hours on it. I replaced it with the 5.7 GXi. In my opinion, this is a better fit for the 251 since it is about 200 pounds lighter, smaller for easier maintenance, and allows more access into the bilge. It also gets better fuel economy and only gives up 4-5 knots at WOT. A typical albacore run for me means about 45-60 miles running to the tuna waters with 6-8 hours of trolling. I would get about 1.8 nm/gal with the 7.4. This engine gets 2.1-2.2. With a full load of 175 gallons, fuel is never a concern on a day trip for me. The drive was replaced at about 1900 hours due to pitted and worn gear sets. I can't explan this and don't know if this is typical. In any event, the I/O has been very reliable....only towed the one time when my engine failed. It is economical, quiet, steers easily and no torque steer.

Hardtop:
Should have ordered the factory hardtop! When the bimini top needed to be replaced a few years ago, I had a custom hardtop built for me at Pacific Yacht Towers of S. Cal. Excellent workmanship. I had the helm enclosed with heavy Stamoid.

Livewell:
The transom livewell is only fair. It is shallow and sloshes badly when I am on the drift with a typical windchop. My boat drifts beam to the wind and rocks. My solution was to build a set of brackets that I bolted to the front of the engine box. I created a livewell using a 35 gal barrel. This barrel is then strapped to these brackets on those trips when I live bait. I spliced into the existing water supply and use a shut-off nozzle at the transom live well to divert water into the barrel. The barrel drains out the transom door via a hole. A scoop of anchovies lasts all day with minimal loss.

Feel free to contact me if you want any additional info.

Warren

[vitali]

 Hi
You are right  , very  nice boat . I have 5.7 EFI Mercruiser and BravoIII, I wish to change it for more powerful engine ,what your advise. Thank you

[seabob4]

Mercruiser 6.2 MPI (320HP) or a 496MAG H.O. (425 HP).  Both bolt right up to a Bravo 3.  The 251 can handle 425HP.

[vitali]

Thanks , how  about gas burns 320 HP

[seabob4]

Vitali,
Probably around what twin 150s would burn.  Where are you located, and what is wrong with the 32  Express your friend wants to buy?

Bob C

[vitali]

in  Neptune NJ

[vitali]

If I change engine, I should change Engine Control System

[seabob4]

Vitali,
If you are looking at new, you will probably have to go with Smartcraft and DTS.  Is this what you have in mind?

[vitali]

Yes thanks, I will soon make my wife happy, I will tell  how many it costs

[seabob4]

Damn,
If that's what it took to make my wife happy..."Honey, let me introduce you to a pair of 1075 Mercs with #6 drives!" 

She'll you know what in her pants...

[a7ewizard]

Hi
You are right  , very  nice boat . I have 5.7 EFI Mercruiser and BravoIII, I wish to change it for more powerful engine ,what your advise. Thank you

My original engine was the VP 7.4 Gi (310hp) and I ran an F7 prop set. At high RPM's, as I recall 4200 to WOT, my boat had a tendency to porpoise which took engine trim nose down and a touch of tabs to counter. Maybe this was due to the props and you may not experience it with the Merc package. I am now running an F4, and had F5 on for a while and don't have the porpoise issue any longer.

Top speed is not that important to me. As I stated in my original post, I am happier with the fuel economy and maintenance access the small block provides. Maybe that 6.2 offers the best of both?? keep us posted with your decision.

[seabob4]

Warren,
With that 7.4 in there, just what COULD you do, maintenence wise?  Sometimes I wish builders had to work on the boats they put out.  JMHO, and all at Proline know it!  

[a7ewizard]

Warren,
With that 7.4 in there, just what COULD you do, maintenence wise?  Sometimes I wish builders had to work on the boats they put out.  JMHO, and all at Proline know it!  

Bob:

It was a pain with the big block.....couldn't get your arm between deck and manifolds thus hard to change spark plugs and exhaust manifolds. Bilge pump, float switch and macerator pump harder to access also. I also had some bad wire splices to the bilge pump which were routed along base of stringer and under motor mount  These were impossible to fix w/out routing wire along top of stringer (and out of a wet bilge!).

Warren

[seabob4]

Warren,
I don't know if your familiar with the 2950, but it was a great boat with bracket mounted O/Bs.  But believe it or not, some "brilliant" person back in the 90s decided it would be really neat to build it as a twin I/O and a twin I/B!  And the I/Os were tucked under the transom!  That person should have been shot long ago!

Bob C

[vitali]

Bob + 100 , about 295

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