Serious about a 1997 2320 - Some questions...

[grantrobarts]

-Any specific info on a 2003 Yamaha 225 4 stroke with 800 hours on it?

-Weight issue with 2 large batteries in the aft storage compartments (100 lbs each) Owner reports that the scuppers don't work as intended because of the weights. Any experience with this and what can you do to fix this?

-There is a transducer just to the starboard side of the keel far aft. Apparently at slow speeds it acts as a rudder and you cant take your hand off the wheel. Has anyone mounted a transducer in this area and had a problem like this?

Other than these issues the boat is immaculate. It has a very nice tower and the trailer is almost brand new with a lot of stainless hardware on it. The motor looked in very good condition with 3 blade and 4 blade stainless props. It hasn't been used in about a year which was another concern, but I am sure this is not that uncommon.

I am going to call Parker to ask about the weird issue on the transom to see if a 225 4 stroke is too much for a '97 transom. And if I get some good feedback I will probably have a sea trial and marine surveyor scheduled to make a final decision.

Any information is greatly appreciated! Thanks

 

[Megabyte]

100 pounds per battery? :shock: What size are they, 8D's?

As for the transducer... I would seriously doubt the 'ducer was acting like a rudder affecting steering. What you might want to do is to look at the skeg just above the prop to see what position it is in. That skeg is there to counteract the tendency of the prop to 'turn' the motor when running.

I would look at the position of the motor skeg first, and adjust it to compensate for the steering.

 

[grantrobarts]

The owner did say they were about 100 lbs each. They are some pretty heavy duty gel cell batteries, bigger than normal ones I have seen. But he did say that the boat weighed around 10,000 lbs so maybe he was way off on the batteries too.

 

[Megabyte]

Here is where you can find information from the factory on that boat:
http://www.parkerboats.net/pages/boat_l ... ?boatid=14

Remember that the figure there is dry weight...

Hopefully some other 2320 owners can chime in with the actual (wet) weight of their boats.

 

[MaxOut]

10000lbs? That sounds heavy for that hull. It may be a weight combination of the batteries and tower that explains your scupper issue as well as the wondering issue. Adding excessive weight changes the attitude of the hull in the water and can cause both of your concerns. I would be more concerned with the scuppers than the wondering because the scuppers are a safety feature and if submerged and flap breaks off you sink. I would also be concerned with the Coast Guard Certification max weight. Look on the certification tag for the max weight go weigh the boat and start subtracting the known weight of the hull + motor, trailer and see what’s left. You may be at the max certified capacity before you even get on. Not good. On my 2007 2520SL the certified capacity is 3180lbs for persons motor and gear.

There is many boats at great deals to choose from in this market don’t buy based on emotion. Be careful just because someone knows how to build a tower does not mean they are qualified to engineer it into a specific boat taking all variables into consideration. The factory tower option is small and light and not sure if it was offered on that specific hull. Some travel lifts can weight front to rear and would be an easy quick way to get the weight numbers to call Parker with. They would be your best source for engineering advice. Good Luck.

 

[BradV]

10k lbs is alot for a 23. I have a tower and an extra 90 gallon tank and twin 225s and im around 10k light loaded with the Extended cabin 25. My scuppers sometimes go under if i have 8 people sitting on the transom. No big deal. I have 4 batteries in the back compartment. I would take the boat out and see if everything he says you notice ie. rudder, scuppers. Plus see how that 225 does after not running for a year.

 

[BradV]

im assuming its the 23 in Huntington. I would imagine that 65 gallon bait tank has something to do with the scuppers sinking a little more. If they are the gel batteries you should be able to stick them forward in the cabin somewhere and help the weight situation. that electric shift system he has on there is a good one. check the towers welds for cracks. and how the tower folds down. I dont think that boat has a bracket so that should help with the weight of the 225. I wouldnt pay 50 for that either tho.

 

[DaleH]

No transducer is causing that 'steering' issue at slow speeds ... that is called V-hull wander. V-hull wander is that tendency for boats of this design (specially prone to deeper Vs) to alternately turn to the left and right at idling speeds, e.g., headway speeds or whilst in No-Wake zones.

It is a hydrodynamic phenomenon due to the way the water goes over the V, as combined with the hand of the prop (left or right twist, thus R or L 'push'), plus the 'grip' (read: friction) of the water against the hull. Some boats and props due it more or less than others.

 

[grantrobarts]

im assuming its the 23 in Huntington. I would imagine that 65 gallon bait tank has something to do with the scuppers sinking a little more. If they are the gel batteries you should be able to stick them forward in the cabin somewhere and help the weight situation. that electric shift system he has on there is a good one. check the towers welds for cracks. and how the tower folds down. I dont think that boat has a bracket so that should help with the weight of the 225. I wouldnt pay 50 for that either tho.

Yes, it was the one in Huntington. Unfortunately it was bought from underneath us. He was going to sell it to us for $37k cash but someone showed up today, offered $42k and took it.

Thanks for all the info guys, I have a better understanding of all the issues I asked about that I may see on other boats in the future.

 

[BradV]

dont be too upset. I spent 2 years looking for a boat before i bought mine. I would imagine out in California you would be able to get away with a mod v since you have a swell and not as much chop? Then you can get a 25 with a single.