If I had a few more $$$, I would be all on this..

[Luna Sea 5]

http://www.boattrader.com/listing/1977-Egg-Harbor-Sportfish-338983


I love the layout of this boat. 

Here is a question though..

What is the difference in fuel efficiency with something like this in a gas engine compared to diesel engine..

And lets compare it further for me.. compare the above to the poor gas efficiency I get on my twin 200 outboards 1995 that age pushing my grady. 

Just trying to take mental notes.. lol

[Hotrod]

It would cost too much to run that boat..

[Hunter 2]

Way to much in fuel$$$$$$$$.

[Kenny]

Lot of boat for he money though

[Salty Dog]

Nick ,you looking to trade up ? Or just making yourself Nucking Futs ?

[Luna Sea 5]

Making myself nuts if course, but what I liked, as mentioned, a lot of boat for the money. I am curious though the difference in running that boat compared to what I am running now.  I know diesel is the way to go in efficiency, but would twin diesels running that boat be more efficient then running twin old outboard like I have.  My last trip, I ran from the Toms River bridge, out Manasquan, set up on the sea girth reef and back and used 60 gallons.  We did run in 3 footers while out there, but since the conditions were unfavorable, we headed back. 

This is a crazy amount of fuel to burn and not even counting the oil i am burning. 

Down the road options.  Sell the Grady, buy something like this and make payments on the difference, or replace my 1995 200 hp Johnson's with the new etec evinrudes or mercury 225's while using my old engines as a deposit and make payments on the rest. 

I figured, the price of the new engines and the difference in money to buy something like this will be the same.  My only concern there after is the cost difference to run. 

[Hunter 2]

Check out Marks "treebeard" boat.  500 mile range on 140 Gallons. 

[bassnblues]

I would think taking taking everything into account like fuel, maintenance, slip fees, depreciation etc. Re-powering with more fuel efficient outboards is the most economical option.

[Hunter 2]

New motors for your Grady will save fuel. But you really have to be happy with the layout before spending around 45 to 50 k on the motors.

[Salty Dog]

 

[Maritime Matt]

Nick, those are 8.1 Crusaders in that egg. Big Block Gas motors will suck it up quick. Best efficient hulls and motors from the guys I've talked to are single diesel engine down east boats. Not fast, but good on fuel, roomy and sea worthy. For me, it would be that new Henriques 42 Charter.

[Fishin Dude]

No easy way out on any boat bill, and usally the bigger the boat, the bigger the bill.

If you sell the Grady and purchase the Egg Harbor, not only do you pay fuel costs, but the loan payment as well.

If you repower the Grady, you have fuel costs and engine payments. I don't think it can balance itself out either way.

Matt has good points on the single engine and hull design if you want to stay with larger boat. You might want to check into prop replacement on the twins you have, fuel consumption vs speed,hole shot,top end, considerations. Maybe a fuel flow meter and careful watch on the tachometer, as well as reducing weight by leaving unneeded gear home, not keeping the tank full,etc.

Finally,you can always down size back to something like you had before, but that's always a tough pill to swallow after you have been enjoying the benifits of a larger vessel. Good Luck with you decision Nick. .

[Luna Sea 5]

My last boat was only 1' smaller and my Grady is paid for, so I am happy with what I have except for the poor fuel consumption.  The 35' class with flying bridge was always my dream boat so the decision is difficult at this time.  I will have to invest in better fuel friendly engines though.  I am a fan of the 2 stroke over the 4 stroke though.  It's just hard to swallow that a fluke trip can cost me $280.00 in fuel per trip. In the long run, my monthly cost in new engines should be cheaper then my monthly fuel cost if I get the right engines. 

I was thinking of getting the Flo scan and monitor my fuel, but I'm afraid to look.  I don't run it hard. Top speed is 42.  When I run it to the grounds, I run her at 28-32 mph.  Then no wake zone through the canal, then 28 mph to the reef sites.  I do keep my tanks full though, it's my safety piece of mind.  I'm just hoping the etec 2 stroke twin 225's will do the trick.  Hopefully I'll get a few bucks for my old engines since they do run like tops in every other way.  I'll research at the winter boat shows.  Maybe I can get a deal on left overs

[Fishin Dude]

Sounds like a good plan.

[Fightin Irish]

1977 is way to old to get involved with if you have a budget genset could be money as well.  And that big is worth a little more and go diesel. The new outboards could probably get you 60% more mile per gallons

[Kevin]

Old, un-restored boats are a big headache!

Think about it. You will spend much more days at sea with your grady then with the egg. It will become a floating condo. I promise.

[BigAl13]

You also got to think about this 1)how many trips do you go on per year in your boat. and 2) how many years of better fuel economy would it take to equal the cost of the new motors? If you put the new motors on and it takes 10-15 years to offset the cost was it worth it??

[Luna Sea 5]

You also got to think about this 1)how many trips do you go on per year in your boat. and 2) how many years of better fuel economy would it take to equal the cost of the new motors? If you put the new motors on and it takes 10-15 years to offset the cost was it worth it??

this is true.  What's the offset.  For me, I'm medically retired so I am on the boat a lot.  Not always fishing, but since I keep it in my lagoon of my shore home, and I am down there all summer, I take my weekly fishing trips, daily crabbing trips with the kids and many evening family rides. Then trips to tices shoal and some tubing fun, It does get a lot of use.  When I go fishing, I have people to split the fuel cost with but all the other tips, I have to foot the bill by myself.  So in my case, I think my monthly payment will be less then my monthly fuel cost from April-October.  Especially when I add the price of oil I burn.   If I was to ball park it, if I fish on a Saturday and weekly boat rides, I'm burning 150 gallons per week from the end if June to end of August.  At a $4.50 a gallon on the water, my weekly cost is about $675 per month with about $80 in oil.   Slightly less during non summer months but still cost about $400 per month in fuel.  No cost from November to April. 

[BigAl13]

Its all up to you Just saying that because i was contemplating getting rid of my truck the gas guzzling pig she is for something better fuel eco. But I took into thought what the payments would be on top of the fuel I would still need and it didnt make cents (sense) at this time. Good luck with whatever you decide. Ps Next year i should have more time off and Ill probably jump on with you on one of your open boats

[Luna Sea 5]

Its all up to you Just saying that because i was contemplating getting rid of my truck the gas guzzling pig she is for something better fuel eco. But I took into thought what the payments would be on top of the fuel I would still need and it didnt make cents (sense) at this time. Good luck with whatever you decide. Ps Next year i should have more time off and Ill probably jump on with you on one of your open boats

I hear you completely.  Its with everything.  I had a very old central air unit and heater and it was costing me a lot of money.  For a few years I thought about it and the higher monthly bills are still cheaper then the price of the new AC and Heater.  Last years I bit the bullet and did it.  Well worth it.

I tried doing the math with the new engines and efficiency on the boat.  It seems to be very close.  I do use the boat a lot in the summer, but why should those relaxing, evening boat rides in the bay cost me  $50.00 per ride?  Right?  In the long run, I think this works.  Hopefully, since my current engines do run like tops, I get a few buck for them in a trade.  I will research more when this winter boats shows start up.  Thanks for all the input.