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pop-pop Forum Member

Joined: 16 November 2005 Location: Cochranville,Pa Posts: 1535
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| Posted: 29 September 2009 at 8:44pm | IP Logged
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Try this link.
http://www.ebasicpower.com/
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Berg Forum Member

Joined: 25 August 2008 Location: Long Island, New York Posts: 54
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| Posted: 02 October 2009 at 12:02am | IP Logged
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I'm partial to GM power, and I like Crusader. Never had a problem with any of them. Mercruiser is good too but I just like the Crusader. You can still get the classic series 5.7, it puts out 315 hp and is still simple-carbureted. You can even use your old gauges if you wanted to but i'd reccomend a decent set of new ones with matching sending units. Crusader marine has a great product and parts are everywhere for them. It should fit clearance-wise if you re-use your original mounts but luckily they bolt right up to a new gen 1 5.7 or 5.0 as long as its GM. If your fluid isnt cooked and the transmission isn't banging or leaking, I'd say run it if it is a good unit. It saves some money and I've seen a Borg-warner velvet drive with 2000 hours on it and it has never been out of the boat. Just do yourself a favor and put a new engine coupler in while its apart. I can't stress that enough. Do a fluid change on the trans and it will most likely be fine, even with the added power. The only thing I'd question would be the height of that stupid plastic cover they put on the intake now, but that can come off and just get a low-profile USCG approved flame arrestor. Just remember to get a shorter stud to go with it. idf you plan on keeping the boat for a while I feel thats the way to go
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barletta Forum Member

Joined: 19 July 2005 Location: alexandria,va Posts: 30
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| Posted: 02 October 2009 at 9:10pm | IP Logged
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thanks- i called the ebasic power guy and he said to get a reman long block.. the crate engines he sells are going to be too high. i will check the internet. my transmission was redone three years ago and i was told it was should last last another 20 years. if you guys know of any web sites i would be very appreciative.
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pop-pop Forum Member

Joined: 16 November 2005 Location: Cochranville,Pa Posts: 1535
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| Posted: 02 October 2009 at 9:41pm | IP Logged
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reman long block link
http://www.dougrussell.com/Products/index.cfm?fuseaction=Pro ducts&Category=6
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floater251 Forum Member

Joined: 15 April 2008 Location: 0 Posts: 27
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| Posted: 02 October 2009 at 10:53pm | IP Logged
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Hey Pop-Pop! Where you been and how you doin?
Floater!
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pop-pop Forum Member

Joined: 16 November 2005 Location: Cochranville,Pa Posts: 1535
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| Posted: 03 October 2009 at 8:55am | IP Logged
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Hey Jim
I have been around. I keep trying to log onto the chris craft boat forum but it won't let me log in. I can read what you guys are posting.
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bob&sandy Forum Member

Joined: 11 October 2008 Location: Cape May, New Jersey Posts: 47
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| Posted: 03 October 2009 at 9:35am | IP Logged
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Hey phil,
i have been having same troubles logging in. keep having to change my password.... any way hope your well. we have had a hellatious summer.
16 year old broke his leg in 3 places. new baby in july. same week as 16 year olds accident.
been bogged down trying to keep up with daily doc appointments with kids etc.
no time for boat.
bob
__________________ 1974 251 Catalina
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pop-pop Forum Member

Joined: 16 November 2005 Location: Cochranville,Pa Posts: 1535
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| Posted: 03 October 2009 at 11:45am | IP Logged
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Bob
I didn't get the boat in the water at all this year. Scraped 4 coats of paint of her and replaced some engine parts.
When my boys were young I went thought the broken bone thing. One good thing when they are young they heal quick.
Edited by pop-pop on 03 October 2009 at 11:46am
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Berg Forum Member

Joined: 25 August 2008 Location: Long Island, New York Posts: 54
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| Posted: 03 October 2009 at 6:26pm | IP Logged
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Read back through the posts, there are many good suppliers for Longblocks. I think even Jasper has reman 5.7's. There are a bunch of guys around me that have engines available but i wouldn't want to have something like that shipped. it could add a few hundred dollars. I think its safe to assume you could find a remanufactured perimeter bolt head 2 piece rear main seal 350 from $1,500 to $2,200. Some don't need a core back, others charge another $300 on top of the original price if they don't get one.
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Ed / Risa II Forum Member

Joined: 28 July 2006 Location: Camas WA Posts: 50
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| Posted: 04 October 2009 at 3:28pm | IP Logged
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There may be something I'm missing, but wouldn't it be worth checking your local Chev dealer for a "Mr. Goodwrench" early 350 cu in longblock?? Last I looked, they were still available cheaper than quotes stated above, brand new, and delivered to a GM dealer. In the crate, swapping the cam to the reverse grind and to the gear set-up wouldn't be too hard, along with popping in brass freeze plugs, changing intake, etc. ??
Ed Risa II 29 Cat
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aspivek Forum Member

Joined: 01 December 2009 Location: Southeastern Wisconsin Posts: 1
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| Posted: 03 December 2009 at 6:55pm | IP Logged
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Hello Everyone,
I am new to the forum and Catalinas, I found a very nice 1976 Express 25 with a 307k and I was wondering if there are anything things I should look for specifically with this model. It is a fresh water boat that was always on a covered lift. The outside and inside are very clean and it looks like it was very well taken care of. I was wondering what kind of speed I should expect from a 307k, im obviously not looking for anything fast but i'm hoping it will top out atleast around 30mph.
Thanks for any input,
Andrew
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pop-pop Forum Member

Joined: 16 November 2005 Location: Cochranville,Pa Posts: 1535
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| Posted: 03 December 2009 at 8:03pm | IP Logged
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Andrew
I have a 305k and with a clean bottom I get it up to 32mph but that is wide open which I don't like to do. I run her mostly at 3000 rpm's .
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78" 251 Catalina
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chriscraft251 Forum Member

Joined: 06 January 2010 Location: marion Posts: 11
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| Posted: 06 January 2010 at 12:17pm | IP Logged
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hi guy's new here my dad had bought a 1985 cc catalina about 14 years ago and the 305k went to sh*t so he had a velvit drive and a 350 put in the guy had to cut the stringers so the motor wouldint hit the hatch. so ever since the the boat would keep breaking flex plates so he got rid of it 9 years ago so now i can buy the boat back for 2,900 and the guy told me it still breaks flex plates can any body help or sould i pass on the boat thanks
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stephenk Forum Member

Joined: 04 April 2006 Location: Leesburg, NJ Posts: 18
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| Posted: 08 January 2010 at 9:31pm | IP Logged
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The engine was not properly installed and aligned to the strut. the extra force on the shaft is what's breaking the coupler (if that's what you mean by flex plate). The only way to correct the problem is to have the engine properly aligned. That will involve raising the engine and/or adjusting the angle of the strut. The shaft should also be checked for being straight and the strut bearing replaced.
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Ed / Risa II Forum Member

Joined: 28 July 2006 Location: Camas WA Posts: 50
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| Posted: 09 January 2010 at 2:16pm | IP Logged
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Agree with stephenk; assume you are speaking of the flex plate on the flywheel. Hacking stringers and lowering an engine while using the original shaft angle wouldn't work. Inboard installation shaft angles, to be done right, is a "feeler gauge" process on the two coupler shaft flanges to avoid all binding. I don't think that boat is a bargain even at that price; with the possibility of weakened stringers to be rebuilt and the engine relocation expense, you would be "upside down" in my opinion.
Ed Risa II
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pop-pop Forum Member

Joined: 16 November 2005 Location: Cochranville,Pa Posts: 1535
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| Posted: 09 January 2010 at 7:21pm | IP Logged
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stephenk wrote:
| The engine was not properly installed and aligned to the strut. |
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Listen to yourself!
Edited by pop-pop on 09 January 2010 at 7:24pm
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78" 251 Catalina
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chriscraft251 Forum Member

Joined: 06 January 2010 Location: marion Posts: 11
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| Posted: 09 January 2010 at 11:22pm | IP Logged
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Thanks guys for all the replys. I thought the boat was an '85 but its '82. The boat that im talking about was 251projects boat. He was a member here on the forum. It has been so long ago that i have seen the boat i dont think the stringers were cut.
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chriscraft251 Forum Member

Joined: 06 January 2010 Location: marion Posts: 11
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| Posted: 11 January 2010 at 1:20pm | IP Logged
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pop-pop did you put the carpet in the cabin or was it there from when you bought the boat.
thanks
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pop-pop Forum Member

Joined: 16 November 2005 Location: Cochranville,Pa Posts: 1535
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| Posted: 11 January 2010 at 3:34pm | IP Logged
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chriscraft251 The mouse hair was in there when I bought the boat.
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78" 251 Catalina
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chriscraft251 Forum Member

Joined: 06 January 2010 Location: marion Posts: 11
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| Posted: 11 January 2010 at 3:40pm | IP Logged
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pop-pop do you know where i can get the carpet at for the cabin.
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pop-pop Forum Member

Joined: 16 November 2005 Location: Cochranville,Pa Posts: 1535
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| Posted: 12 January 2010 at 8:30pm | IP Logged
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matt
Check out this link.
http://www.boats.com/listing/gallery.jsp?entityid=107731021& amp;mid=1287&ceid=298791&galleryBack=%2Fboat-details %2FChris-craft-250-Catalina%2F107731021%3Fno%3D1200%26ro%3D3 7%26bdi%3Dtrue%26r%3D107731021%26Ntk%3DboatsEN%26uom%3D126%2 6duom%3D126%26sm%3D3%26wuom%3D126%26luom%3D126%26currencyid% 3D100%26ps%3D50%26ic%3Dtrue%26sfm%3Dfalse%26man%3DChris-Craf t%26slim%3Dquick%26entityid%3D107731021%26mid%3D1287%26rs%3D boats.com&pic=0
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78" 251 Catalina
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chriscraft251 Forum Member

Joined: 06 January 2010 Location: marion Posts: 11
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| Posted: 12 January 2010 at 8:45pm | IP Logged
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thanks pop-pop that boat has been sold.
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stephenk Forum Member

Joined: 04 April 2006 Location: Leesburg, NJ Posts: 18
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| Posted: 17 January 2010 at 10:28am | IP Logged
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pop-pop wrote:
stephenk wrote:
| The engine was not properly installed and aligned to the strut. |
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Listen to yourself!
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And what? That's how you do it. The strut has to be perfectly aligned as well as the transmission output shaft to the shaft coupler. Even if those are close in this case, the shaft is surely hitting the thru-hull because the engine was lowered.
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chriscraft251 Forum Member

Joined: 06 January 2010 Location: marion Posts: 11
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| Posted: 17 January 2010 at 11:33am | IP Logged
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so how would you fix it.
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pop-pop Forum Member

Joined: 16 November 2005 Location: Cochranville,Pa Posts: 1535
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| Posted: 17 January 2010 at 12:26pm | IP Logged
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stephenk
I was talking to chrissraft251.
chriscraft251 wrote:
| sould i pass on the boat thanks |
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78" 251 Catalina
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stephenk Forum Member

Joined: 04 April 2006 Location: Leesburg, NJ Posts: 18
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| Posted: 17 January 2010 at 5:14pm | IP Logged
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How to fix? It's a lot of work.
you have to disconnect the shaft coupler and raise the engine so that the transmission output flange mates with the shaft coupler without flexing the shaft. You will probably find that either the front or rear engine mounts don't have enough adjustment for this meaning that you will have to rebuild the cut-outs made in the stringers or have custom mounts made. Once it's close you can then use the adjustments on the engine mounts with a feeler guage at the flange. Raise both the front and rear mounts by the same amount to change the engine height. Raise or lower the front mounts only to change the angle at the shaft. Recheck everything again with each adjustment.
Use a 2x4 between the stringer and the engine to kick it over left or right. Move the engine from the front and rear the same amount to move it left or right. Move the engine from the front only to change the angle at the shaft. Recheck everything again with each adjustment.
Connect the couplers and check the angle at the strut. There should be no deflection of the bearing top or bottom while looking from the front of the strut or the rear of the strut. If so, raise or lower the engine until it's right. Make sure there's enough room at the thru hull so the shaft is basically centered. If not, you can't raise or lower the engine any more and you'll have to either replace the strut with a different one or make a custom wedge for it.
While your tooling around with this, check the shaft for scoring at the packing nut and replace the packing. If the shaft is scored, either cut the shaft log 1/2inch shorter or get one a 1/2inch longer so the packing nut is compressed on a clean area of the shaft. Also replace the strut bearing. Now you have to deal with your floor issue. If the engine is too high you will have to customize the floor to accommodate it. You might get lucky and can get away with just a low profile flame arrestor.
Pop-pop, sorry, I misinterpreted your posting.
Edited by stephenk on 17 January 2010 at 5:16pm
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chriscraft251 Forum Member

Joined: 06 January 2010 Location: marion Posts: 11
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| Posted: 17 January 2010 at 8:04pm | IP Logged
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thanks stephenk. this all most makes me want to keep my i/o grady.
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chriscraft251 Forum Member

Joined: 06 January 2010 Location: marion Posts: 11
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| Posted: 17 January 2010 at 8:10pm | IP Logged
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and how much is a shaft for these boats.
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Ed / Risa II Forum Member

Joined: 28 July 2006 Location: Camas WA Posts: 50
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| Posted: 18 January 2010 at 4:43pm | IP Logged
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Seems that I/O's have their own set of problems. Their big advantage - like front wheel drive cars - they are cheaper to manufacture. Ever had a leaky bellows or water in the gear case? I don't know why a builder like Grady would use I/O's.
Ed
Risa II '83 Cat 292
Edited by Ed / Risa II on 18 January 2010 at 4:45pm
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stephenk Forum Member

Joined: 04 April 2006 Location: Leesburg, NJ Posts: 18
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| Posted: 18 January 2010 at 6:14pm | IP Logged
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As mentioned, I/O's have their own set of problems. Not the least of which is corrosion and water intrusion to the transom. That alone wants me to always stick with an inboard. BTW, when you change an I/O's engine, you have the same issues if you alter the stringers or use different engine mounts.
The key to any retrofit project is to spend the time upfront to do it 100% right. Before you can do that you have to have an appreciation for what is involved and estimate the time, parts, and custom work involved. If the work is above the shade tree mechanic's abilities, there's no shame in paying someone else to do it.
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chriscraft251 Forum Member

Joined: 06 January 2010 Location: marion Posts: 11
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| Posted: 18 January 2010 at 9:46pm | IP Logged
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I did all the work to my boat. I rebuilt the 4.3 and did the drive I went to school for I/O's not inboard's but always ready to learn.and a inboard looks simpler. im only 21 so i got a lot to learn lol. but i want a 251 bad.
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stephenk Forum Member

Joined: 04 April 2006 Location: Leesburg, NJ Posts: 18
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| Posted: 19 January 2010 at 4:56pm | IP Logged
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You mentioned above that you didn't know if the stringers were cut or not. Bottom line here is you need to know for sure. At this point I'd suggest you get a survey. Based on that survey you have ammunition to demand a cheaper price or you walk. If you have to walk, do it and don't look back. Even if you like the 251 (mine is a 1978), these come around frequently on Ebay, Craig's List, or your local marina. These are common boats and there are three in my marina right now. One is for sale and I know of another one down the road that's for sale but it's a rough looking boat.
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chriscraft251 Forum Member

Joined: 06 January 2010 Location: marion Posts: 11
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| Posted: 07 February 2010 at 12:19pm | IP Logged
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how do these boats ride in rough water.
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pop-pop Forum Member

Joined: 16 November 2005 Location: Cochranville,Pa Posts: 1535
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| Posted: 07 February 2010 at 5:31pm | IP Logged
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matt
I found that my 251 can handle 3-4 fters ok. It not something I want to do for a long period of time.
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78" 251 Catalina
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chriscraft251 Forum Member

Joined: 06 January 2010 Location: marion Posts: 11
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| Posted: 08 February 2010 at 11:49am | IP Logged
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thanks pop-pop i need a boat to handle the rough water arond here. and can run nice threw it.
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