Costco Sea Ray Programmer
However, in the very first brochure for the Sea Craft 19, Moesly included in the options list: “Available as an attractive outboard with huge, deep cockpit and hinged Burma teak panel on motorwell for safety and soundproofing.” With that, Moesly provided an alternative for those who liked the outboard’s simplicity, ease of maintenance and ability to tilt clear of the water. He also perfectly summed up the perceived pros and cons between the two power choices. The outboard freed up more cockpit space, but thesterndrive was quieter and (at that time anyway) more powerful.
Still, for the most part of the next few decades, sterndrives became the definitive power choice for the style. Four Winns HD 220 OBWe ran the Four Winns HD 220 OB with a 250 hp Evinrude G2 outboard. With three aboard and 35 gallons of fuel, we pushed this boat to a top speed of 47.6 mph — under the right conditions, this could be a 50 mph boat.
Four Winns modified the HD 220 hull to incorporate a set-back bracket for the outboard, which preserves much of the swim platform. Plus, the HD 220 OB has a unique running surface, with a pad keel that Four Winns says accommodates the change in weight distribution with outboard power. The set-back motor gives the prop great trim leverage, and the HD 220 OB really aired out when we trimmed to get the last 500 rpm of top speed.
The ride in some stiff lake chop was outstanding, and this all-fiberglass boat feels really solid. Monterey M45This variation of the M4 sterndrive came equipped with 250 horses of supercharged power in the form of a Mercury Verado, which made the M45 both economical to run and a blast to drive. During our test run, the M45 was quick to plane, fearless in turns and rewarding in top speed — pushing 50 mph at 6,200 rpm at wide-open throttle. And it was quiet, registering just 65 db at idle speed. No wonder outboards are gaining ground among runabout enthusiasts.
In our test, the outboard had tons of power for watersports, plus it tilts easily and fully for beaching up. Inside the boat? The helm station has a comfortable, rugged bucket seat. Effortless adjustments and an ergonomic fit let the tilt wheel (with Mercury power-assist steering) and buttery-smooth digital throttle and shift fall right under hand. For the crew, there is much to admire.
Costco Sea Ray Programmer Manual
Color schemes are nothing less than dazzling in their glossy sport colors, yet tasteful, turning heads without blinding eyes. Add to that an appropriate gleam from polished stainless-steel louvers, rub rails, cleats and heavy-duty hinges, and you have a look that pleases and lasts due to solid, through-bolt connections and, where they are needed, backing plates at key stress points. Glastron GT-180Glastron is a boatbuilder that has historically embraced outboard power for bowriders — as evidenced in its cult classic GT-160. The GT-180 is the 21st-century version of that boat, a little bigger and designed to carry many more ponies. While it's rated for up to 150 hp, our test boat had a Mercury 115EL on the transom. This boat performed wonderfully with this power.
We recorded a top speed of 45.7 mph at 5,800 rpm and measured almost no bow rise while climbing onto plane en route to a best cruise speed of just over 21 mph at 3,000 rpm. This entry-level bowrider is a great first boat for a family that can grow into it over the years.
As a starter boat with small kids, the high coamings, thoughtful padding and good handgrips make it secure. But when the kids become teenagers, you can hand over the keys to the boat without worrying. It’s great for tubing and water toys — and if their youthful hormones overcome them, it’s difficult for them to get into trouble. Crank the wheel as hard as you can flat out, and the boat just takes over and cools things down. It is very predictable in turning and handling at speed. Our test boat had the XL package (order it if only for the two helm seats with folding bolsters) including snap-in carpet, pop-up cleats and stainless-steel trim.
The standard boat is fitted with well-padded bowrider seats, great backrests, and a comfy, full-width bench-style seat aft. Stowage is outstanding, with self-draining carpeted lockers forward, a huge centerline ski locker with a rubber mat, and a cavernous glove box fitted with the Bluetooth stereo, MP3 plug and cigar plug. A cooler is hidden under the rear seat, and there is plenty of stowage for everything, from life jackets to beach gear. Most will find a seat on the main cockpit’s huge L-shaped lounge and broad portside bench. Position the latter’s removable seat back to the rear and you have a forward-facing chaise. Move it one cushion length forward to make a forward-facing seat behind the port console and an observer seat aft.
Or add a filler cushion against the port console to fashion an aft-facing lounge. The filler stows neatly below a hinged seat cushion. A sun pad awaits those who want to soak up the rays. Tilt up its forward half and you have an aft-facing couch for two when hanging at the sandbar. With the outboard power, you can trim it up for no worries.
Starcraft SCX 210 OB EXTStarcraft was one of the earlier companies to bring outboard power back to bowriders over the past few years, and the company did an excellent job with the Starcraft SCX 210 OB EXT, a boat with a cool graphic package and solid performance numbers. Our tester, fitted with a Yamaha F200 four-stroke outboard, recorded a top speed of 48 mph and a best cruise of 22.4 mph at 3,500 rpm, where we achieved 4.8 mpg. That's good performance from a near-22-footer that weighs in at 2,785 pounds dry. The boat is rated to hold a 250 hp engine, which should propel the boat into the 50s on the speedometer. One thing to note, the SCX 210 OB EXT employs an Armstrong bracket to securely bolt the Yamaha to the extended swim platform.
This setup affords more room on the swim platform, as well as the use of the structural swim platform as a watersports prep area. Inside the boat, there’s plenty of room for the family to stretch out. The forward pickle-fork design allows for wraparound loungers, fitted with removable center cushions and plenty of backlit cup holders and USB ports.
In the bow section, there’s extra storage for the swim ladder (standard) and a locker for the optional anchor.