hey guys, I bought a new boat, 1994 Crownline CCR 225. Has a 7.4L (non Mag) Bravo one drive. Silent choice exhaust. runs about 62-65mph.

GPS? That seems more speedo numbers which are usually 5 MPH or so off at WOT.

The main issue with that boat is that prior to 1998 Crownline did not use treated wood in the construction of their boats. So you will have to keep a close eye on the floor, bulkheads, stringers, etc. for rot. In 1998 they went to XL Marine Plywood that carried a lifetime warranty against rot. I had a 1999 266 open bow with the 7.4 MPI/Bravo III and it would run 48 - 50 MPH GPS. It was a great boat but they have a ton of hook built into the hull so they will never be speed demons.

Knot4Me
VERY NICE looking boat. We have a 2000 Cobalt 226 with the same engine and silent choice - with 25 gals of fuel and 2 people in the boat consistently hit 63mph-- I think with a little less fuel and a very slight chop I could get a little more out of her. Do you have any experience with leaking exhaust headers? I have a slight (very slight) rust line on both sides where the upper exhaust head meets the exhaust manifold - this is on both sides of the engine. I can't post a picture to show as an example- so I don't know if I'm over reacting or not. Any suggestions?

3pointstar

Aren't you asking a little bit late? You already bought the boat!!!!

Congrats and enjoy!

I always like the 225CCR. Real sporty looking and they sound good with thru hull exhaust. I think you'll likely top out in the upper 50s on GPS. Maybe 60

the 226 is the fastest hull Cobalt built (other than the Condurre). With a 502, I've heard of them running near 70 but they get squirrely at that speed.

My thoughts exactly !!!!

It was a deal that I could not pass up, I got it for $4000, long story short the guy got divorced and stuck with the payment. I got it for his payoff. That is GPS speed (according to my friend). seems to be very solid. always stored indoors, covered when outdoors. Seems to be a nicely built boat

Maybe on the speedo. Your real speed is 10-12 mph slower than that, at least that's what my 95 would do.

Point, I sold the boat in 2004. When I bought it in 2002 I noticed a water leak on both exhaust manifolds. I pulled them and it was the plastic threaded casting plugs Merc used at the time to plug up the casting holes. I swapped them out for steel plugs and no more leak. I replaced the riser gaskets as well at the time and that is the gasket area you are referring to. If the riser gaskets have never been changed, I would go ahead and have that done for piece of mind. If they are showing signs of leaking externally you can bet they are also leaking internally. You don't want to wipe out a motor over a $10 gasket. Your rust could also just be from condensation from the bare metal exposed at the riser to manifold joint.