202 Stinger Build
 

Hi Everyone new to the sight. but would like to share my current build, 1987 202 stinger Chris, the boat is currently all white with new interior, just installed a 2007 Volvo 8.1 with 1:78 DP drive with F6 props, just took the boat out for a test run, the boat ran very well, but i think the hull needs a few tweeks to make it even a better performing boat, lenghten the hull back to the end of the afterpods, giving the boat more lift aft and a longer running surface and a flatter on plane take off, also working on the propping of the engine to boat
combination.
Working on getting pics for your pleasure!
JR

Stinger 202
 

So far you are right on your asumptions,We have a 202 on the sight here,and found out the same thing the boat needs to be longer.We are in the high 70's low 80's on gps depending on how the boat want's to handel on any given day.We are running a small block chevy.Did you take the sand out of the front.To solve the problem of length,this year we went to a imco extension box,external steering and 280 K planes,we are also going procharger this year.We found the boat get's into a chine walk in the mid 60's till the low 70's but you can drive thru it,we have several you tube clips on this boat.You really have to drive these neat little rockets.I know from running drag boats that this thing has a100mph in it,Just watch it the thing will blow over on you.Will be posting pic's ect of the new changes soon.Lot's of luck. JOHN SR.

Thanks Fenderjack
About the sand in the bow, no i havent removed the sand, not yet, because of adding the extra weight aft and yes the blowing over issue, I noticed when trimming the boat out, it didn't react well to trim, so i am going to do some bottom research on the little rocket, see I have been in the product development field for the marine industery for 25 years and have worked for companys like Four Winns,Chris Craft,Larson, Glastron, Azure, and have helped developed hull bottoms for each of these companies and really enjoy taking older boats and making them run smooth stable, fast and more important quick on plane, see most companies when introducing new boats dont do enough testing before launching a new product and have a good understanding on what the customer is looking for in their boat, and the customer dont know until its to late after the purchase.
Anyhow, I have a guy that worked for me at Four Winns that can extended my hull with out to much trouble and i think the boat will run great, but i have to finish a little more testing.
Keep in touch Fenderjack

202
 

If yours is like mine it has a hook in it,I found I was never able to get the bow up to air it out,getting on plane was really never a issue with the V/8 but was with the V/6. The sand is up in the bow under that big mound of foam. We took out almost 200#.Now the boat airs out good. Thanks JOHN

202
 

I just may have to give removing the sand a try!
Also do you have a cruise speed porpoise around 30 35 mph?
I will also check the bottom for hook.
Thannks again for the advise!
John R

Hey Fenderjack
Another thing with extending the afteropds, this will allow for alot less bow rise and a much quicker planing time, also will help prevent chine walk, the boat then will run on the after pods at full throttle and support the boat, should be nothing but air under the whole boat, should also be able to take care of the mid range porpoise.
Just ideas on how to make this little boat even better!
We will see!
John R

You can remove the sand and then add weight 25lbs at a time if you like.. I removed all the sand from the one I had about 10 years ago- - cool boats.

202
 

Mid range porposing,Don't have any never did.You might have it because of the extra weight in the rear.Our boat never had trim tabs on it,and after running this boat for almost 41/2 years I think that the addition of tabs alone might of taken the chine walk out of it.Also never had external steering and you know what a little slop can do.The chine walk is not severe and only is their for a little bit.So I think every one of these 202s are different,because there was no quality control,Just pull out the floors and look at that mess they call fiberglass work. JOHN Sr.

Thanks Fenderjack
i will start digging and testing and see what i come up with!
Thanks for all your insight!
I just may need to pull a mold set after I get this boat perfected!
JR

202
 

If you could pull a mold ,are you capable of laying up a hull and deck,If so I would be VERY interested.Have sum good input as to what the boat needs.Full length REAL engine stringers for one. Thanks JOHN

My backgroung for the past 25 years is been in engineering Marine Products for major brands, i have two other guys that have worked with me building the major brands over the past 15 years we have developed 15 foot boats to 50' boats, this project would be a peice of cake, the biggest problem will be a building, we have some supplies and we have the tools.
I am right in the middle of a divorce, as soon as i get through that i plan on developing a repair and design firm for special boats like this little 202 Chris.
The business will be located in Northern Michigan Eastport michigan quiet little town on the north end of Torch Lake and right next to the Grand Traverse Bay.
Can't wait!

:eek:The 202 is a cool little boat and I was very close to buying one a few months ago.
I have had some experince with 202s and 222s when I did alot of fiberglass warrt work in the 80s for CC and others in Austin Texas.
The early ones had the sand added at the dealer after some very unhappy people raised alot of chit about them.
Neat boats for sure and they have a great look and can be alot of fun but (don't take this wrong:crazy:) you guys are nuts!!!!!:eek: and if you want to add to the bottom with not just start with a 222?
Good luck guys and keep us posted and please be safe:boat::ernaehrung004:

Thats funny i know someone with over 38 years experience doing fiberglass repair who worked at Skater over 12 years that is thinking of moving up in that area and doing the same thing in and around East Port / Torch Lake Area who specializes in Skater's and all high performance boats from wild to mild fiberglass repair including all structural , gas tanks , ext . ext .

Hey Cosmic12
Thanks for telling us we are nuts i think we both know that, but its nice to be reminded!
The reason i bought a 202 is because of the price was a steel and i had the engine.
Because you worked for Chris Craft and you were around to here the buzz from the dealers, what was the reason for putting sand in the bow, dealers were afraid of to much bow lift? the boat got to light on plane?
Good information for my build.
Thanks
JR

Easy Wake, whats up and how is the weather up in Cadilliac ? Hey guy's has anybody ever thought of adding a Ballist tank to the boat and possibly use if needed instead of sand .

LOL about nuts, you guys got bigger ones than me:lolhit:
They were very very light in the bow and I heard tales of them going over backwards at speed when hitting waves and some chine walking that got outa controll probly through lack of experince with any kind of performance boating at all, so that was thier answer........weight in the nose.
There was a red 222 at the dealer that had a big block that was like drive'n and old Allison, very very light. They had us put lead bars in the gunnels on that one and in the nose.
Like I said they are cool little boats but they were never ment for the speeds you guys want. There was alot of lamination problems mid 80s also so check the hull for any cracking that might look like gell stress but could go way deeper than you think, I had to redo a few larger Stingers from bad gell that soaked up water like a sponge.

Good luck be safe the water isn't as soft as it looks:eek:

Thanks Cosmic12
I have a question, did you work for Chris Craft the company? Because i work for Chris Craft durring the OMC days, i was the production engineer that took product from Goshen Indiana to Cadillac Mi to be built, i was responsible for the introduction of the Concept series in the mid 90's and then tranfered the product back to the Sarasota Florida plant shortly after we just got production going in Cadillac the OMC management was forced by Chris Craft dealers to get the product back to its home base in the mid 90's.
John Russell

No I didn't work directly for CC I was just a glass guy that went around to the marina's and did repairs.
I hooked up with C.C./Donzi dealer and they had me dealing with the MFG's for all the warr. work. This was from about 1984 to 89 then I moved back up north.

So Cosmic, from what i understand you are saying that even the 222 was also light in the bow ? Cosmic ,i got to say that i really like the center steering that were on the 222's and did they build any 202's with center steering ?

WOW, what a great weekend on Torch Lake, man i love my little 202 the thing is a blast, got the prop dialed in, havent removed the sand as of yet, but i can see where it want to bow steer a little at 40 mph, and tough to get good trim response, so the sand is comming out!!!! :grinser010:
It pops on plane now, so the hull change is on hold for now, top speed is in the workings, from 30 to 50 in split second, like a little rocket, awesome !!!!!!!
Handles the rough water better than i thought it would. :evilb::drink:

202
 

When you take out the sand you will see and feel the difference,and look out it will get light feeling.Be carefull when you get over 60 mph .Did you get a top speeed on it JOHN SR

Hi fenderjack
I was at 3500 rpm at 50, backed out had girl friend with me and that was fast enough for her, max rev is 4600, so we will see this next weekend, again if the weather permits
One thing thats nice with the DP drive it holds the boat nice and flat, no chine walk yet!?
I think i am going to remove half the sand and test!?
John Russell

Not bad.. Man you should know not to take the girly out when your dialing in lol.. Keep us posted.. :)


John jr

Yeah, but I spent all morning working on boat, and she made me breakfast and lunch and kept the refreshments comming while I was working on the boat, so I felt I needed to take her for a cruise! :kiss:
And she needs to get use to the speed if she is going to be with me! :evilb:
Pics next week!
JR

Well if she is going to ride in that stinger at speeds you better get some velcro to put on her bottom.JOHN SR

my stinger
 

hey best i ever got out of my 1987 stinger 222 is 65gps with factory big block.......Yes I have number 4 of 15 in 1987 that came factory with a 454 mag 330hp with the mr drive

I am hopping i can get that type of speed out of my 202 stinger with a 8.1Volvo (496) 375 propshaft horsepower with a 1.78 Volvo drive running F 9 props. I think I should be able to kiss 70 mph. We will see!
Nice looking 222:drink:
JR

Yeah, well I am a big off road guy also and into the Jeep thing and she has been with me on some very scary hill climbes and almost rolled it:eek:, so she is starting to get use to the motor sports thing!
Velcro? YEAH MAYBE! :drink:
JR

Funny thing , your wish would be my command and we should talk and this is not John and Glass Dave knows me very well .

Well with the weekend behind us, I was able to do some more testing with the little 202, definalty big block is to much weight for the 202 hull as is(which I knew was going to be the case) removed the sand and the hull is just wrong and the center of gravity is just not right, so my plan is to change the hull bottom this winter extending the running surface aft to the sheer, this will help with a couple of things, back wash comming off of plane,aft lift quicker flatter planeing times, (sand removal)for better trim response, flatter and more controlled at high speeds to reduce or remove chine walking and the boat will handle a big block very easily.
Once I perfect the hull, I think i will build a mold for some limited production boats, less power!?
JR

Hey all you Stinger fans
My divorce is final, and you know what comes next!
1987 chris craft 202 with a 2007 8.1 volvo 375 hp with DP drive and f9 props, project completed new interior all white with silver accents
PM ME