1993 Proline 2950

[Napi]

Hi All,

I just bought a 1993 proline 2950. The boat is a theft recovery and it has alot of work to do. I would just like to ask a few question and hopefully get some help to complete my project.

 1. I would like to put 4 stroke engine on the boat hopefully 2 mercury verado 250hp or 2 Yamaha 4 stroke 250hp, however i have been told that the 4 stroke engines may be too heavy for the boat. Can anyone give me some insite on that.

2. I would also like to put on some new bottom paint but there are so many can someone advuse me on a good brand of bottom paint. I would like to paint the bottom of the boat red.

3. My refrigerator, ac unit, was also stolen can anyone inform me where I can get replacement.

4.the Canvas top was also damage, the one that snaps to the windglass,Can i get that from a proline dealer.

Looking forward to hearing from you all

NApi

[Fishbone]

HI Napi

1. I have heard some good and bad about the conversion...2 stoke to 4 stroke.
Planing issues, ride issues, selfbailing scuppers under water.
A quick look:
verado 250hp weighs 635lb each
Evinrude E-TEC 250hp 539lb each
Roughly 200lbs total difference.
You can move batteries and some other components... but 200lbs worth?
I've read about adding ballast in the bow on and on.

Then the price, fuel mileage, maintenance (they need crankcase oil changes) control change (if they didn't steal that too)...that's another decision.

2. That seems to be a question to ask locally...where you are located.
Brackish or high salt area, north or south, east or west.

3. There are salvage yards for boat parts...check eBay for your area.

4.You might be better off finding a local shop to repair or replace your canvas.

Good luck with your project

[CUSHIONGUY]

I might be able to help you with the upholstery.  I have built the most of the cushions for Proline since 1994.  I just might have the patterns.  Let me know.  CUSHIONGUY

[Napi]

Hi Fishbone,

Thanks for the input.I have read some of the same issues that you speak about. It sound like I might be ok if I go with yahama 4 stroke 250hp, they have a weight of 600lbs which is about 60lbs a engine heavier than the verados.

also if i move some of the other items like batteries etc about 120lbs worth i should be good.

Fuel is alway a pric here that why I want to get foru stroke , right now we ware paying about $5 per gallon on fuel. I am locate din the Bahamas so the boat will be used in a high salt area

I am new to boat mostly i deal with cars, so am entering unchartered waters, when it comes to boat so it's a big project for me.
I did some searching on ebay but I also have to now what am looking for.
I going to have a guy come down from one of the local boat yard to assist me in what all i need to replace or purchase besides the engines.

We do have local shops that can repair the canvas I will try them and if not i will try some places in florida.

[Napi]

Hi cushion Guy,

I would like your assistance that would be great. Let me know how we can do it.

[CUSHIONGUY]

HI Napi, you can contact me at 352 382 1063 or by e-mail at ghelmsfl@hotmail.com.  I'll need some pictures at some point but lets get together first.  Thanks and take care, Gary

[UFM82]

Just my opinion but on a 29 footer, will the extra engine weight really make a difference? That's like putting an 12 year old in the stern. I can't think that would possibly make that big a difference. The 29' ProLine I chartered while in Venice, La barely moved when I went to the stern and I weigh 265.
 For the fuel mileage, noise and ease of use, 4 strokes reign supreme as far as I am concerned.

UFM82

[C-Lark III]

Just my opinion but on a 29 footer, will the extra engine weight really make a difference? That's like putting an 12 year old in the stern. I can't think that would possibly make that big a difference. The 29' ProLine I chartered while in Venice, La barely moved when I went to the stern and I weigh 265.
 For the fuel mileage, noise and ease of use, 4 strokes reign supreme as far as I am concerned.

UFM82

I agree with UFM82 -- That amount of extra weight is negligible on the 2950.  I've got the same boat, same year -- but I have twin turbo diesels - They weigh 1146 pounds each, counting the stern drives.  Get the motors you like best.
Good fishing !!   

[Bruce03]

Napi,

The thieves really did a number on the boat.  Glad that you didn't own it at the time.

The others know more about engines than I do, but perhaps I can share my experiences with the recent 3250 I bought.  Upholstry is normally peeled off the seat and then a replacement made, and the new upholstry pulled back on.  There may be little advantage from someone who works from patterns as you will get a better fit if the upholstry guy works on what you have, rather than what it's supposed to be.  You can actually pull the whole seat out, take to upholstry guy and pick it up later, pehaps a good fall project. 

There are several good brands of bottom paint available.  Some people say that you should put the same thing that was on there before, but in your case you don't know.  They recommend sanding down to bottom, which is a little more work but gives you a better paint job anyway.  Be sure to fix any blisters that you may find when you sand.  they are not that hard to fix.  As for brands of paint, Interlux and Pettit come to mind but I know there are others as well.  If you have a local contact who knows his way around, he may know what works best.  Don't forget that these brands may have several types of bottom paint and some may work better in your area.  Here in the Chesapeake Bay we have lots of crabs and they produce barnacles galore.  One guy sweared that fishermen put chili pepper in their bottom paint because the crabs hate the chili pepper, so I rushed out to buy chili pepper.  Fortunately, I googled chili in the paint and found that there are "very mixed opinions" about this! I would go with the flow on the paint.

I would avoid the dealer for most things, including canvas.  You need custom canvas anyway and a local may be much cheaper.  We had lots of rust on the snaps but Flitz, Corrosion Block, a toothbrush, and some "wool pads", worked wonders.  The wife did them all and then used Woolite on the canvas and something else on plastic windows (they can easily be replaced).  Looks like new!  If your canvas is too tight and won't fit the snaps, lay in the sun (the canvas, not you!) and it will loosen up and then stretch a bit. 

Don't forget new decals!  If you have outboards, they can also have new paint and new decals.

Hope this helps. 

Bruce

Loose Rules V
1998 3250 Express, 7.4LX's, B3's

• apenny