Was looking to get some opinions, reviews, and advice on my first boat. I recently purchased a 1978 Grady White 204c with hardtop, powered by a 1996 evinrude ocean pro 150hp. WOT it runs 25mph at 3500 RPMs? Does that sound right? I have it at a mechanic now so he can check it all over. I ran it this past weekend off Wappoo (was not fun loading the boat), and also on the Ashley River off Dorchester and Ladson (also not fun loading the boat on the trailer), hopefully I can get better at loading with current! The boat seemed to run well, no leaks that I found. I know it’s an old boat, but the price was right where I needed it to be for my first boat.
If anyone has any experience (good or bad) with this boat or the motor, I’d love to hear from you!
1978 Grady White 204C Overnighter
1996 Evinrude Ocean Pro 150
Thank you for the response. I should find out either today or tomorrow what the compression is. The previous owner said he did a compression test and the numbers were 113-119. Doesn’t seem too bad unless those numbers were false! I’ll post again with any updates!
If compression ends up reading good, what else good it be? Power pack? Wires and plugs? I believe it has a 17pitch prop on it. Hoping I didn’t get myself into a money pit!
YOU HAVE A 40 YEAR OLD BOAT AND A 20 YEAR OLD MOTOR, YOU CAN GUARANTEE ITS GONNA BE A MONEY PIT.
DOESNT MEAN IT CANT BE A MANAGABLE PIT, LOL.
TIMING, SPARK, FUEL, INTERNAL DAMAGE TO SEALING RINGS, OPTICAL SENSOR, PLUG WIRES, WIRING HARNESS, HULL IS WATERLOGGED…
Wow that brings back memories. My dad had a 22 just like it with a 6 cyl Chevy inboard. It woluld go 35-40. Good luck, open the check book,old or new they are money pits… But nothing like it. Have fun
From the picture, the boat appears in good shape. If the transom/stringers are ok, you can get a motor.
3500 rpm sounds like your throttle cable isn’t engaging all the way. I’d start there. If the engine isn’t bogging or missing…seems simple. Take the cowl off and check the throttle cable travel.
Just an update, I’m still waiting to hear back from the mechanic. Mdaddy, I like the idea that it’s the throttle cable not engaging all the way. Motor sounded good and was running strong for a few hours both times I was out there.
Just an update, I’m still waiting to hear back from the mechanic. Mdaddy, I like the idea that it’s the throttle cable not engaging all the way. Motor sounded good and was running strong for a few hours both times I was out there.
If the hull is good…an engine is replaceable. Good luck. Those were well planned hulls.
What do you plan to use the boat for? If you are going to stay in the creeks you will probably enjoy it. This is about 12 years before Grady White started using the SeaV2 Hull. You will not be happy with it offshore. Hull technology has far surpassed this hull. That being said, Grady White offers some of the best customer service of any manufacture out there. They will help you every way they can with this boat. Contact their customer service department online and I’m sure they will tell you what type of numbers in RPM’s and MPH you should be getting.
“Temptation may lean on the doorbell… opportunity may only knock once”
I’m new to the area, and new to boating. I’ve taken the boat out to the harbor from Wappoo and in the Ashley river by the plantations. I want to use it for fishing and know that I can’t get offshore with it too far, if at all. I will have to find some spots and landings that I can put in at that will put me in some good inshore fishing. I’ve fished freshwater (mostly bass fishing) my whole life. Caught some big reds last season and I want more saltwater! That’s a good idea to call Grady White and talk to them about the boat and what I should be getting for RPMs/MPH. I know it’s an old boat, but it gets me on the water!
I’m new to the area, and new to boating. I’ve taken the boat out to the harbor from Wappoo and in the Ashley river by the plantations. I want to use it for fishing and know that I can’t get offshore with it too far, if at all. I will have to find some spots and landings that I can put in at that will put me in some good inshore fishing. I’ve fished freshwater (mostly bass fishing) my whole life. Caught some big reds last season and I want more saltwater! That’s a good idea to call Grady White and talk to them about the boat and what I should be getting for RPMs/MPH. I know it’s an old boat, but it gets me on the water!
It is beautiful and worth the effort. Get a chart and a good depth/chart plotter. It'll save you some grief.
Alright, compression test was good on all cylinders, and spark test was good! So that’s a plus. Should find out tomorrow what the problem is. Im hoping it’s either a stretched cable or a bad throttle arm, or better yet, a broken gauge… if only I could be so lucky! I’ll let you guys know what I find out and thanks for the advice!
If you want to own a 20+ year old motor you need to at least learn the basics. First thing you do when you have a problem like this is check compression then spark. You should also be able to look at the motor with the cover off and see if the cable is opening up the throttle the whole way. If all of that checks out start trouble shooting fuel system. Change fuel filters, look for leaks, clean carbs. It’s all pretty basic and there are tons of how to videos out there. Repair manual is also helpful. If you plan on taking it in every time you have a problem you may as well go buy a new 4 stroke, it will be cheaper.
I know this from experience, I have a 1998 Evinrude 200 oceanpro.
Go to a landing on a weekday and practice getting it off and on the trailer. You’ll get it! Welcome to the water! I get jumpy when I’m not on it once a week at least
