Older 231 "square transom " walkarounds Spoken here.

[231CALIFORNIA]

Just to get a thread going on a common/popular model. I wanted to start a thead on 231W/A.
They are called a 25 or something in some years I think. share specs on yours?
 They Were avail 1 or 2 Outboard or  Single I/O , Deep Walkaround ,small Cuddy. boat now out of production I think.
Would like to share info, Mods,Repairs, performance data, week points, accessory ideas etc.

1996  231,   Merc 5.7  250hp 4bbl carb, Bravo II, no hardtop (wish I had now),
9.9honda  4stroke kicker, Flowscan Fuel flow meter, dual Batteries, outriggers on coaming,
"flat Fishwells" under  tall pedestal seats, 2penn downriggers (removable), afi quarter platform with second step on stbd side, 138gal fuel, normal  electonics vhf/gpsmap/old loran/epirb (no radar)
No tabs,no arch.
estimate data
 min plane18-19 knots at 2800-3000rpm trim down, top aprox 42 knots/4700rpm med load and fuel, bw trim mid up. cruise anywhere from 3100-3500rpm before secondaries open.

uses= Saltwater fishing , California/pacific, from Channel islands to below Monterey.
occaisonal overnight for 1man up to 3days(tight with gear stowed in cabin).

Dislike= engine access about 1.5 -2.0  inches too tight on sides for access to plugs, manifold drains, some cooing system parts.  alcohol stove warmup flame too close to headliner.

Big likes , Deep wakaround for going foreward, chasing fish, anchoring,kids aboard, docking etc.
Fuel capacity, decent performance with small block.

Issue of possible concern in future, Access to  aluminum fuel tank if replacement ever needed.
opinions.
who should own? =Sportfisherman and Recreational  Divers , up to 4 people normal day load.
 Who should not own?, those who want lots of seats,carpet,stereo,or overnight bunk space.
those who fish with more tha 4 adults.

[a7ewizard]

If you plan on keeping your 231 for a while and want the benefit of a hardtop, contact Pacific Yacht Towers in San Marcos (760-744-4831) or google them to see some of their work.

I am very pleased with the top they did for my 251.

Warren

[231CALIFORNIA]

Thanks , Ive Seen their Work,  Very nice, quite a few on west coast boats.frends have them.
For me the  tough issues are 3.   1)Cost  (top/ Radio box and enclosure if any ) on a 23 are the same as on a 25 ?(est 4k?+) and are double what they were when I first checed in the 90s.  I could "afford" one I guess  but doesent seem prudent right now and i'm not feeling adventurous .

2) distance /logistics, Im about a 600+mile round trip from them, if I Add Time, Tow costs, about  9% sales tax down there (in about 2 days), overnight stay if it could be done in one visit, more if i have to drop and return . the thousands roll up like a government spending program

3) Im considering a 3rd boat 32' sportfisherman in partnership with a couple of freinds (and keeping my other 2 boats.

[proline241]

I've got a '98 241 walk with the same engine and a bravo 3. I picked it up about 3 years ago where I fished it out of Panama City FL.  But I just hauled it to Freeport Tx last weekend, as I've relocated to Houston.  Overall its been a good boat, I only wish it had a bigger livewell.  It has a furuno color bottom machine and HB GPS, no radar yet. 

[CJ Grant]

I have a 2000 24 Walkaround, only year they called it that, but I'm pretty sure it's the same boat. I had a bracket mounted Mercury 225 Optimax on mine when I got her, but I've re-powered with a 2005 Yamaha 300 HPDI. I'm in the process of finding the right prop, but I'm pretty happy with things so far. I trailer my boat to Mexico alot, and use a launcher at a marina when I get down there. It's a perfect size for the missus and I to head out to the 51 Mile reef for a day of grouper fishing, and then sleep on the boat during the spring & fall when it's not so hot. Mine is equipped with a factory hard top, and I've made a custom shade extension that covers most of the cockpit, but is high enough up that it doesn't get in the way when your hauling fish. I also made a kicker motor bracket on the port side swim platform, it's a fixed mount, and I put a 20 HP kicker with a 25" shaft on it, hope to get up-graded to a 9.9 High thrust when I find the right one. With the Optimax I got around 2 - 2.5 MPG on a regular basis, hoping once I get the right prop for the Yamaha I can do a littler better. 

[a7ewizard]

I trailer my boat to Mexico alot, and use a launcher at a marina when I get down there. 

Just curious....where in Mexico? I have a few trips into Baha under my belt. Great fun and fishing but the launching and the driving are pretty sporting! (This is NOT the term my wife would use to describe the drive!!!)

Warren

[CJ Grant]

Puerto Penasco (Rocky Point) is located an hour south of the border on the mainland side of the Sea of Cortez. You cross at Lukeville (south of Ajo, AZ) drive through Sonoyta to Rockypoint. The marina I use is called Safe Marina, it's located on the north end of the harbor, turn right at the Circle K Pemex Station before you get to the main street that takes you to Los Conchas, go to the 2nd stop sign, turn left and drive to the end of the street, Safe Marina is on your right. They have 2 ramps good all the time except at extreme low tide, plenty of trailer & truck parking, plenty of slips available to rent while your in the water. 24 hour security, and they also offer dry storage if you want to leave the boat there when your not using it.
San Carlos (outside Guaymas) is located 5 1/2 hours south of the border on the mainland side (across from Mulege) Lots of slips available (except during a tournament) and a concrete ramp that you self-launch. Plenty of help available to get in-out of the water, clean your fish, boat, truck whatever. Plenty of houses, apartments, condo's available to rent, plenty of good restaurant to eat at.
The road to RP is paved all the way and in very good shape, the road to SC is a divided paved highway, also in very good shape, Momma should be happy.
If you plan a trip down, let me know.

[a7ewizard]

Thanks for the info!

I have a friend who makes that drive S from AZ and takes the ferry over to Baha. He commented that the mainland roads are much better/easier to drive than the 2 lane Baha highway.

If you ever plan a fishing trip to Baha and want some info let me know. I am most familiar with La Paz but have fished S.Quintin twice and once out of Northern Mag Bay.

Warren

[231CALIFORNIA]

CJ   Looks like you have one . about  25.5'  oal to transom from pulpit tip est.

I think some years its a "231" some years a 24 and some years a "25".

 I think there was a 24 that was different and had a 9' beam rather than the " 50state hwy legal" 8.5' beam.
but you have the pulpit, the single porthole and the  curved windscreen as well as the square transom.

The 251 is its bigger  brother I think. but is scaled up with 2ports and a transom door I think.

I see you have radar as well, does it do any good?

Do you have the tall  fiberglass locker seat bases or short  "fishbox"at bases and pedestal seats at the helm?
both were  used in various years.

I see you have a "pacifictrailer"as well ,have same (blue painted/nongalvanized).

welcome again.

[CJ Grant]

I have the little brother, 8.5' beam, 19° deadrise hull, but it catchs alot of fish. The radar was on the boat when I found her, I've used it once in Newport to ease through the fog, and a couple of times in san Carlos to look for birds, other than that it just looks cool up there.
I have the short fish box/pedistal seat combination, but I am in the process of making a pair of tackle boxes to put under the seats and get the pedistal seats changed out. I use the fish boxes for anchor lockers and catch-all boxes and carry a 120 qt ice chest for a fish box (mexican grouper to big to get in the factory fish boxes) The pacific trailer works great, I just changed out the entire suspension system this spring, I had the "monospring" experiment under mine, but it's been up-graded to a heavier multi-leaf spring now. Parts from Pacific are very reasonable and shipping isn't bad.
She's been a good boat, I just re-powered her with a 300 Yamaha and once I get the right prop I'll be in business. I'm going to RP this weekend if the CDC doesn't close the border for the Swine Flu Epidemic, I'll post the sea trial with the new props next week.
Tight lines-

[231CALIFORNIA]

300 Yami  will  nearly fly. when you get prop sttled let us know  your mph/gph etc.
Roger that on the 120qt ice chest.
we  now use about  140qt or so as the "fish box" if we fish albacore . It also makes spare seating and alternately holds ~6 rods / gaffs/etc on front mounted tubes. also have  3tubes on each side of I/O engine cover.
We quit using the starboard hold as a fish box because it was impossible to keep clean.

Fish would slide foreward and rub the hardware of the seat bases making an unholy mess that didnt seem to hose out well and the liner seems real thin and flimsy+Ice doesent last in it very long either.

The port box holds fenders, 25ft white hose and a nylon clean up brush +the flush muff. thats all.

I dont have the hardtop to put the radar on,and desire it less now that gps/chart does the nav work.

[CJ Grant]

I posted the sea trial report for the 2000 24 WA on the Modifications page
check it out!

[Sandjob]

1993 230 w/a 25 year anniversary-thought I would post. If anyone needs and help with there 230 I know them like the back of my hand

[231CALIFORNIA]

any problem areas?

[Sandjob]

These are some pics of my recent endeavors. These are new rod boxes. The originals seem to crack over the years. This was one of the hardest parts I have ever had to find. I do now know how and where to get them if anyones needs. Also new bolsters (hard mounted) turned out nice. The other pic is my new dash. I moved the steering wheel up for easier use and reach with the leaning post I installed (good find)

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