WesternBass.com :: Ask Gary Dobyns

Q I have a question on the 250HO E-TEC. I just rode in my friend's Z520 with a 250HO on the Columbia here in Washington. The boat was running 76 mph on GPS turning 5600 rpm with a Raker 25" prop. I am very interested in this setup. My question is I'm running a Ranger 521 with a 250 Mercury XS with a 27" Tempest. I'm running 74 mph but I'm turning 5900 rpm. I'm running a bigger prop turning it faster but going 2 mph slower. I know nothing about the Evinrudes and my friend just wants to go fast and doesn't understand a 25" prop vs. a 35" prop so he is no help. What gives? I'm very interested in this setup.

A Well, that's a really easy one. When Evinrude designed this engine they needed to make a much stronger lower unit. In doing so, they changed the gear ratio which enables you to run smaller props and still generate a lot of speed. The 25" Raker is a great prop for that setup but most of us are turning a 24" Raker instead. It gives you a much faster hole shot, seems to accelerate a lot faster and overall, it's a better prop for this setup. It's just gear ratios. If I can help set you up with a dealer, let me know.

Apr 28, 2008

Q I'm looking for a late model Ranger or Triton. A friend of mine said you hooked him up with a seller last year. He said you always know where some boats are. I hate to pay new boat price when I can save $10,000 or more.

A I do usually know where there are a bunch of boats for sale. I know of about a half dozen right now including two of my own. I also know of a steal on a '03 522. You are in luck because the used boat market right now kind of sucks. I know I can hook you up. Please do not contact me at Ask Gary but at my personal address dobynsga@comcast.net. Have a great day!

Apr 7, 2008

Q Just wanted to get your take on Buying used boats. I will be in the market in about two or three months. I wanted to start doing some home work on this. A friend of mine told me he had talked to you in the past about the same thing, and you were more than helpful. My price range will be around 20k to 25k. I'm very open to any ideas or suggestions. This will be my first bass boat, and I will be taking my son who is 3 years old out in this boat. Knowing that you had kids would you ever consider a single counsel boat, or is that plain dumb. Another question is how important w-would you rank having good electronics. I do plan on fishing some tournaments, maybe about 8-10 a year. What size boat? is bigger better? What year would you say? 2000 or newer? And I know what motor you will say EVINRUDE of course! How do you feel about Mercury?

A First off, I just got this message as I never open them before I get to them. I hope you purchased your boat and all is well. These are great questions that I'm going to answer anyway.

I like 20' boats as they handle the bigger water and it will give you plenty of room for your kids and their friends. 18' boats are great. I ran a lot of them. I like 20' boats a lot better and they're also a lot easier to re-sell. This is provided of course that you have the parking room for them.

I like single console boats for fishing. The cool thing is with a 20' boat you have plenty of room for a second console. I will never forget my kid always laying in the floor to stay out of the wind on the cold days. Heck, I was jealous. Even with a console, that was a lot better place to be.

On electronics, I have become a huge fan of the new Humminbirds. Johnson Outdoors has really turned that product line around. They are rapidly taking over. I also think MinnKota trolling motors are the best way to go. I feel that they are just superior products. The good thing about these is you can always put them on later. I wouldn't make the decision not to buy a boat based on something like this.

Of course I like Evinrude motors. I run them and never have any problems. If you're a Mercury fan, they are also awesome engines. They made some good upgrades with the ProXS series. Prior to purchasing a used boat, I think it would be wise to spend $100 or so and have a dealer give the engine a once over and do a readout on the hours and the hour history. This can tell you a lot on how the boat was run and taken care of. I hope by now that you've made your purchase. I still do hook up lots of buyers. If I can help, please shoot me an e-mail through www.westernbass.com with a pm. Please do not do it under Ask Gary. I may not see it for a year with the backlog of questions and the way I open them first come, first answered.

Thanks for the great question.

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