Stress cracks

[Striper Scott]

I have a 1998 240 sport.  The boat was new to me last year.  She is in excellent shape, however there are a couple spots where very fine hairline cracks are starting to develop near the railing bases or corners.  Is there a wise preventative measure I should take or is this a cosmetic "live with it" issue.  Aside from that I love my boat.  Space for fishing and usable deck are unmatched in anything I have come across in my price range.  Just need to ditch the gas chugging Ocean Pro 200 when i can afford an E-tec.

That brings a second question to mind.  Boats original rating was for a 300 but todays motors make so much more torque and power should I be thinking a 225 E-Tec is enough and not push my luck?  Current outboard is bracket mounted.

[seabob4]

Scott,
Welcome aboard!  Now, on to stress cracks.  The proper way to fix them is to dremel each and every one of them to form a v-groove, then fill with glass (2415 and resin), grind flush, and gel.  You also might want to see if you can tighten the rail bases, as the flexing at those points is what is causing the spider-webbing.

As far as motors?  250 Etec.  She'll easily handle the 300, but the 250 will save you some bucks.  You'll love it and you don't have to change your rigging. Don't worry about it being over-powered.  The weight of twins would be the real concern, and today's twin Etecs are as light as their old brethren.  BTW, we build Donzi (our sister company) 23 ZFs with twin 225 Verados for Missouri law enforcement.  Not much lamination difference.  I wouldn't worry about a single 250 Etec...

[Striper Scott]

Awesome, Thanks Bob.  Now how to explain "She'll handle it no problem" to the wife......(we'll leave the save some bucks part out) 

[seabob4]

Scott,
Well, you bring the "Admiral" into the equation...

If she know's her boats, and has a good head on those shoulders, she'll see the wisdom behind the repower.

The next scenario will be, once she's sold, prying the check book out of her hands...

That's the way it works in my house...

• C-Lark III