New Owner of a 97 230BR select

[csellers]

Hello Everyone,
My wife and I just purchased a 1997/8 230BR select with 7.4 and BravoI drive. Unbelievable shape. This is our second SR (still have a 00' 180BR!) The boat has verifiable 92 hrs and a 1yr old outdrive. (Old one was stolen). We had our first outing this past saturday and were thrilled. The boat performed great. Although we did not push it too much our first time out, I was suprised to see better than 50mph on a short run with a seen better days stainless 21p prop. I sent it in for repair yesterday. I did see my fuel gauge jumping around a little and was wondering if I may have a loose ground. Or, maybe the wetness of the day and the sending unit being on the floor just inside the hatch may be the cause. It was covered and outside for a short while prior to our purchase so it was a little damp when we took it home. We are keeping it in our barn now so maybe it drying out some will help. Also does anyone have comments on a SE300 or stingray hydrofoil for the lower end? I have a stingray on my 180 and it's great. Any advice or comments are appreciated.

 

[SeaRide]

Nice boat. No bias here. Is you fuel gauge jumping around while at rest or while you are at speed? Mine tends to move around a bit in chop on plane once the fuel gauge moves below "F". Our boats hold 57 gallons and the fuel will slosh around at speed.

Just curious why you would want a hydrofoil? My 230 has a 5.7 and I do not lose site of the horizon while coming on plane. My boat will also hold plane at low speeds, but yours may be a bit more stern heavy with the big block. If you don't have trim tabs, that may be the better way to go. Benetts were an option on the 230. Also, there are two blank out plates to the left of the rocker switches below the fuel and oil pressure gauges. You can probably still get the switches from Sea Ray.

 

[csellers]

The Hydrofoil was just a consideration. I am coming out of a 00' 180 3.0l and it was quick to plane. This boat is not by any means a dog coming up but noticibly slower than the 18 footer. I never actually lost site of the horizon either. No trim tabs here but that may be a thought. My boat also holds 57 gallons and while filling it at the station I watched the gauge jump from E to F several times. It also did this several times throughout the day as well. I plan to have it out again this weekend if the weather cooperates so we will see how things go. BTW that's a beautiful pic of your SR. I moved from FL to Chicago area last year and I am missing the water on the Gulf!

 

[dr.j]

I have a 98 Signature BR with 7.4 BIII outdrive and with two spinning stainless props it comes out of the hole like a shot. I would ensure your trim is fully down as low as it can go and it should rise and go. Check the connections for the fuel guage at the tank and the guage itself. Mine bounces if the fuel is getting low. I would not install the foil.

 

[SeaRide]

The Hydrofoil was just a consideration. I am coming out of a 00' 180 3.0l and it was quick to plane. This boat is not by any means a dog coming up but noticibly slower than the 18 footer. I never actually lost site of the horizon either. No trim tabs here but that may be a thought. My boat also holds 57 gallons and while filling it at the station I watched the gauge jump from E to F several times. It also did this several times throughout the day as well. I plan to have it out again this weekend if the weather cooperates so we will see how things go. BTW that's a beautiful pic of your SR. I moved from FL to Chicago area last year and I am missing the water on the Gulf!

Yep that's a big swing going for E to F, so it could be a wiring/sending unit problem. Thanks for the compliment on my sig. picture.

The Gulf Coast of FL is truly one of my favorite areas for vacationing and boating. I have yet to find a place in the U.S. with better combination of white sugar sand beaches and clear water. Growing up in the late 70s and through the 80s our family vacationed in the Destin Area. My sig. picture was taken last summer just south of the Hwy. 98 Destin bridge.

Also once you burn off some fuel, the boat will pop up on plane a little quicker. Enjoy your 230.

 

[csellers]

Thanks for all the feedback everyone. I am really enjoying this site.

 

[csellers]

Does anyone know why my fresh water washdown is not giving a continuous stream? The tank was winterized with anti freeze. I filled the tank the rest of the way up with water to begin flushing it out and it gives me a good stream for a few seconds then tuckers out. This is the same for the transom and sink sprayers.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Also does anyone have comments on a SE300 or stingray hydrofoil for the lower end? I have a stingray on my 180 and it's great. Any advice or comments are appreciated.

No need for it on heavier boats. The foil will provide "x" amount of force to lift the stern. That "x" amount is a constant - meaning it will always provide the same amount of lift given the same amount of flow over it. Think of it this way: Let's say the foil provides 50lbs of lift (I have no idea what it really does, but it'll work for this example). Whether that foil is on a 2,000lb boat or a 4,000lb boat, it's still only going to provide 50lbs. The heavier the boat is, the less effect it will have. Will it help? Well, in theory it can't hurt. But I'd say save your money to fill that big tank! :grin:

 

[Lazy Daze]

Does anyone know why my fresh water washdown is not giving a continuous stream? The tank was winterized with anti freeze. I filled the tank the rest of the way up with water to begin flushing it out and it gives me a good stream for a few seconds then tuckers out. This is the same for the transom and sink sprayers.

You drained the tank and the lines completely before putting the pink stuff in? Were all of the lines winterized as well? I mean, did you keep all the nozzles on till a nice pretty color of pink came out?

 

[SeaRide]

C,

Check your filter on the inlet side and make sure it's clear of debris. Once you check the filter, turn the system back on and see if the pump is cycling. If so, there is a leak in the system.

 

[csellers]

Thanks for all the advice. The filter was clogged all up. Works great now.

 

[csellers]

Hi Everyone,
Another question about my 230. I am pretty sure my 7.4 is carburated. How do I tell for sure? It has 7.4L on the arrester cover and also says thunderbolt ignition or something. I also read that the HP ratings are the same on carb and MPI motors -300-??? Another thing I did this past weekend while sulking over the weather was buy some compound from my local SR dealer called Buff Magic by Yacht Brite. It worked great removing the little bit of chaulkiness on the topside. I just wiped it on and removed with a highspeed on med speed. Loooks great!

 

[Lazy Daze]

Hi Everyone,
Another question about my 230. I am pretty sure my 7.4 is carburated. How do I tell for sure? It has 7.4L on the arrester cover and also says thunderbolt ignition or something. I also read that the HP ratings are the same on carb and MPI motors -300-??? Another thing I did this past weekend while sulking over the weather was buy some compound from my local SR dealer called Buff Magic by Yacht Brite. It worked great removing the little bit of chaulkiness on the topside. I just wiped it on and removed with a highspeed on med speed. Loooks great!

Well, in '97 you could've gotten a carb'd 454, an EFI 454, an MPI 454 and a 454MAG. The MAG definitely wasn't available in the 230 - not sure on the MPI, but I think not. The carb'd and the EFI both were rated at 300HP. The MPI at 330. Usually the flame arrestor cover will say EFI or MPI. EFI is a glorified carb - the injectors sit right over the intake and you'll see electrical wires coming from the injectors. MPI will have the injectors like they are in your car - and eight of them.

 

[hoosier daddy]

Nice boat. You will love it. I might be just a little biased though...