Great to Find this board

[231CALIFORNIA]

I own  a 231 w/a 1996  5.7 4bbl Bravo II IO & Honda 9.9 Kicker.
Its been a mixed experience with Dealers, Factory and Mercruiser.
Some great Some relly Bad.
But I still have her and Hope to keep her for a few more years at least.
I hope I can help others with my experiences and get help with Problems and Ideas
from others and or official reps from time to time.
I fish when the crazy rules here and the wind allow and normally keep her in a gargage, waxed, full and charged.

Thanks Much  for putting his forum Up Proline, nice Job. I just hope owners and prospective owners find it and use it.

[seabob4]

California,
Welcome aboard!  I'm sure you'll be getting more of these!  So, what's wrong with your boat?  Or, for that matter, what do you want to improve?

Bob C (AKA seabob4)

[Robert1]

California
      WELCOME ABOARD!!!!!!!    Thanks for joining      Post some pictures enjoy



                                                                 Happy proline boating
                                                                          Bob 

[231CALIFORNIA]

Whats Wrong? what was wrong is what I hope we are talking about.

I hope not a lot but when I get time I will list  a few.
Many of the problems have been remedied, some by me, some by the dealer, some by mercruiser.
many of the problems were mercruiser or Component supplied to Proline so its important to point that out. Like i said , some things were taken care of likety split, some others took a fight, including one with a customer service guy that seemed overworked and  didnt follow through well.
I dont know why the name Steve Lopez sticks in my head? did you have a guy by that name back them? this is just a foggy guess from my middleaged memory. I might have record of it in my log book.

Dont you have my 12year old CSI survey? here are a few I  do recall without my log book.

2 blower failures, 1 wiper failure, anchor rode hatch blows open(i put latch mechanism on it now)
cabin water pump failure, bait tank lid sloshes most of is  water out if/when boat rocks(expensive bait dies),gelcoat spidercracks, windshield leaks,throttle lever failed immediately(merc replaced under recall) but couldnt use my boat for first month. Merc  engineCoupler failure (was never greased on istall by either factory or dealer), bravo II  upper bearings were replaced(factory defect under warranty) various small parts were missing at delivery, Water drips off engine cover  rear edge onto top of engine, bad Exhaust manifold casting  when new(merc finally found and fixed)caused burned battery switch,could have frozen engine or worse.

Now , after all that,  and more, I still like my boat well enough not to dump it.

Every boat is a compromise it seems.  A board like this could help a lot of people improve their experience. Most of my pictures arent digital but i will take some and post when more  time.
Thanks again for the great new board.

[seabob4]

California,
First and foremost, I, and others, hope this site is beneficial to you and your experience with your boat.  That is the main reason Bob started up this site, and is has proven to be both beneficial, and fun, for many.

In 1996, I was 3 years into a 6 year stint at Wellcraft, most of the members here had different boats than they do know, and some weren't even old enough to own boats.  We commend you for your longevity "enduring" with your 231.

It would seem that your latest post is a bit of a "vent", considering the age of the boat, and the issues you had with her 12 years ago.  That is understandable, but absolutely irrelavent in regards to the purpose of this website.  12 years have passed.  Your issues with the days of yore are simply that, the days of yore.

I actually met Steve Lopez when I was with Stamas Yacht, I believe it was '05.  Stamas hired him as their purchaser.  It wasn't until I left Stamas in '06 to join Proline that I learned he had been fired from Proline for stealing!  Guess that would explain some of your dealings with him!

If there is anything we can help you with currently, we'll be glad to.  But old stuff?  It is simply that...

[a7ewizard]

A couple of suggestions......

I took a length of "U" channel aluminum with a slight bend in the middle and siliconed it to the transom so that it is below the edge of the motor cover. Now, as water drips past the seal on the motor cover, its caught by this channel and flows into the bilge instead of the top of the motor. I'll try to attach a picture but PM me and I will e-mail this to you. Easy fix. Buy at Orchard Supply hardware. Has held for a number of years now....no need to attach with screws.

Take some adhesive backed weatherstripping and line the top of the livewell....will virtually eliminate water sloshing past the lid.

Warren

[231CALIFORNIA]

Thanks, I already got A useful suggestion for a probelm from another owner! How great.
Im sure that idea should work. already worth my time here.
And as far as that guy Lopez goes, I didnt even know if the name was right but he was a pain to deal with, im not surprised if its true what you say about him.
As far as the boat being 12 years old, its "Newer" than many 3 year olds I see here, it spend its time in a Garage, waxed,polished ,lubed,charged, preserved and protected in almost every way, It wants for little or nothing in the way of protection preservation and maintenance etc.
I hope to get some pictures Up this spring, its still closes season where I am until 5/1.
I maybe have 500 hours on the meter, really only 340-350 on the engine and drive as soe of the hours are from the key being left on by mistakewith battery switch on.
A lot of my on board hours are drifting ,and in the early years slow trolling with the 9.9 honda not the 5.7Mercruiser. most mercruiser hours are at low load planing speeds 2800-3000rpm for fuel conservation. BTW 3 years got almost no use do to work and family  except maintenance starts , salt away and new batteries. But she is my Girl and she wants for little if you lifetime boaters know what I mean.
Now How do I get the anchor rode locker and the area in front of the helm seats to drain  past those est .25"-.33" tall protruding white platic fittings? the stern drains fine and its seldom a probelm underway but at rest or on trailer after washdown i have to squeegee and towl it up?

who knows, many of my issues may heve simple solution like that last one.
I owe you a Beer(or Whatever)

[seabob4]

California,
Try these from Marine East.  Grind out a circular area so they sit truly flush, and it should solve your helm/passenger seat draining problems.  Unless you want that area ABSOLUTELY dry...

Glad to hear your boat is in the condition she is in.  More owners should pay as much attention as you have.  A hearty congrats!!!

Bob C

[231CALIFORNIA]

Thanks Seabob4, if i can reach the old ones from behind the tackle boxes I will get a couple of these. they look like they will make for dryer mooring ,trailering and storage.
If i can put them in without  cutting the boat up they will be a significant improvement.
I dont think I can access the bow rode locker without cutting a hatch as i have no windlass or other portal but if you know another way to that im interested, i have been putting atowel down into it to wick the last inch and airing it out  after a trip as I dislike mildew in the locker.
Those helm area ones if i can cut/widen the right holes for them will be worth some trouble and make washdown easier.

Thanks again.

[seabob4]

California,
This is the best way to drain an anchor rode locker.  BTW, have you ever noticed that the anchor locker holds the rode, not the anchor?  Why don't "they" rename it?  Who is "they"?

Anyway, at the very corner where the floor of the "rode" locker meets the hullside, drill a 5/16" hole, angled at a perpendicular to the hullside at that point.  On the hull, install a clamshell over the hole pointed about 45 degrees, facing aft.  Be sure to coat that hole with some gel, at least, or even some 5200 and let it kick.  That way, you don't have a shoulder on a t/hull drain that the water will never climb up over.

This is the way we do all of our "rode" lockers now, and we haven't had any complaints.  "Rode" locker.  Or, "Chain and rope" locker...maybe it will catch on...

[231CALIFORNIA]

Thanks.
Does the corner of the locker touch the hull side? What is the  clamshell fitting you are refering to?
will it  fit flush with the low part of the locker? I think its lowest on the starbord side where the current drain is. im not getting a visual on htis one well.

I dont call it an anchor locker because mine wouldnt hold and anchor but holds near 300feet of anchor line and a few small items. I keep a large danforth type in the roller, small safety cord tied to the bow cleat(along with the bitter end) and A lunch hook with about 70 feet that of line that mounts across the pulpit rail (secured with weed whacker mono). I have chain but I seldomcarry 10'+ 30 ft light as its a  royal pain to keep aboard and I normally only anchor in sand anchorages with decent scope if i am moored for more than an hour. I would have to cut back on the rode to carry the chain. once again thanks for your time.
while im new I will probably ask lts of Questions.

[seabob4]

California,
You may be "new", but you know your s***...

Get back with you, just checking the forums.  That tree-felling experience was pretty damn entertaining this afternoon!

• C-Lark III