[rookiefisherman713]

So I was locked on a nice 88' 26 foot Grady with twin 2005 200HP HPDI's when the seller got cold feet and "apologized" for the inconvenience but decided not to sell the boat after all. Originally I was going to go halves with my best friend on a boat but I thought more about it and would like to get something that I can call my own. I am looking an another 88 Grady with a 1997 Johnson engine and he is asking $8900. The motor apparently was completed rebuilt at a local marina and there was close to 8000 spent with installation and since then, there is 35 hours on the motor. My question to you fellow barners is, is this the motor that put Johnson out of business? This is a much smaller boat (20 feet) but with a 225HP carbarated motor, this thing must fly and I am also worried about it being over powered? Your thoughts/opinions would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[Capital Gain]

The fuel injected Ocean Runner was the motor that put Johnson out of business. I had a 20' Grady with a 175 carburated Johnson for many years. It is a bulletproof boat and engine - very durable. The boat is rated for a 225 hp max so the engine will work fine. However the old 225 and 175 used the same engine block. Both engines weighed about the same but I heard the 225 hp had cylinder walls that were too thin at the expense of generating the extra horsepower. The result was that they had a tendency to blow head gaskets, overheat and wear out the powerhead prematurely. My friend had an old 225 on a 23" Gulfstream which he bought new in 89. He blew a powerhead after 4 or 5 years as I recall - I mean it overheated, popped a head gasket, and warped everything. I don't think the boat had alot of hours on the motor when it happened. His boat was alot heavier than a 20" Grady as it had the 10' beam and the Grady drive. So you should not be stressing the motor. If you take care of it and drive it sanely I think you will be fine. Have the motor checked by a good mechanic and make sure it was properly rebuilt and is running well. If it checks out I think you will be OK with the rig.

 

[High Wire]

That boat should do about 48-50 WOT. Make sure the transom is solid for that much hp.

 

[Mike Miskiewicz]

Well don't feel bad about the old owner getting cold feet. He just saved a good friendship. We have been in the marina buisness since 1962 my family go's back to the early 50's in the headboat Charter buisness. Partnerships in boats never work or at best not very often. I would be careful buying a boat someone spent that kind of money to repair and then let it sit. Unless it has only been a short time. I don't know of any one motor that put OMC out of buisness. Pormanagement and spending lots of money they didn't have trying to keep up with the compatition did them in. If you decide on that boat get a mechanic to test compression test first cold if ok then run the engine and test it hot all cylinders mut be within 10-15 psi for fair condition Within 10 or less of spec. to be good. Get what you can afford also don't forget Ins, Docking, Storage, Mait Ect. Most people buy a boat and max. themselves out and then can't afford to keep them it good shape or operate them at all. Good Luck

 

[SSawed]

I thought it was the Evinrude FICHT motor that did them in? If not completely, then it certainly was the final blow before Bombardier bought their remains.

 

[missingtwo]

Have Dunk Survey the boat. He was in buisness rebuilding Grady's so be sides being a great surveyor he knows the boats. He is also a Johnson/Rude guro so he will be a great help on it.

 

[TheAdamBomb]

Early FICHT engines brought down OMC. The old carbed loopers were good engines.

 

[kraken24]

I know for a fact that the 99 ficht was a dog from the factory. After Bombardier took over and setteled in, the made available an improved set of pinned heads and a new program to correct the issues. Im not sure about the 97, but if it is a ficht without the newer heads I would stay away.