Pete280

looking at a 30 w/ 225 efis, is this a good motor for the 30? I have seen a couple with 4 strokes, how do they run with an F250 or other 4 strokes?

The boats I'm looking at are 1994 and 1999, any difference in build quality over the yrs? they all look basically the same from 1994-2012, have they made any major changes?

Thanks

Esquire

225 efis aren't a bad motor for the 30, but I'd prefer a boat with 250s. My 30 originally had 200s and the boat ran in the low to mid 50mph range. I swapped to 250 efis and mounted the engines as high as they would go on the B-bracket. The boat ran much better- mid-upper 60mph range everyday and 70mph on a good day on gps. My guess is that a boat properly setup with 225 efis should run in the low 60s. I've never run one with 4 strokes.

The 30 hull was originally a 28' Concept, but due to changes in coast guard regs, the B-Bracket was added to the length and the boat became known as the 30. My boat would porpoise (this is normal with the 30s), so I added K-planes to keep it under control. With the tabs even with the bottom, the porpoise is gone.

I've found that the Concepts are fairly well built boats. They do have a tendency to develop stress cracks at the corners of the deck in the cockpit area. I have also heard that some of the 30s are wood construction while others are composite. I'm not sure when/if Concept made the change from wood to composite.

rchevelle71

iTrader: (1)

FYI, 225 EFI's can be turned into 250EFI's relatively easy, especially if they already have the 4 butterfly intakes.

BillR

They are nice boats - rigging is top notch.
2 strokes are the way to go if you talk to any of the local tech's. A bunch of the 4 strokes are having problems with ethanol. This info is from Lynnhaven Marine's owner as well as 2 other techs from elsewhere.

Go for it - esp if the price is right!

Pete280

just looked at it, very clean boat, motors have 85 hrs on them so there brand new, it has a T Top, I prefer an arch but probably not a deal breaker, trailer does not have brakes so I would have to add brakes to be legal in VA, he's asking 36K, not a bad deal.

BillR

That sounds like a good deal. Where is it?

Pete280

it's in Naples, just looked at a 302 Scarab that we also liked, might be able to scoop it up for a real good deal. Everyone I talk to says stay away from the merc efi's due to poor gas mileage

BillR

Like my 302! Mknow someone trying to buy one tonite, another guy sold his Cig and bought one - a trend?!?!? Can't offer any advice on Merc's.

rchevelle71

iTrader: (1)

EFI's are fuel hogs, but reliable as can be, very rarely any serious issues, those 225's can be modified to over 300 HP. Optimax is great on fuel, but the early ones had issues. The only way I would own an Opti is if I was the original owner with warranty.

t500hps

Be careful with fuel vs oil.......the EFI's burn more fuel, but motors like the Optimax burns ALOT of oil. 4 strokes will burn the least.