mw243

Thanks for the Info. It is a lot easier shopping on the west coast for this style boat. The top is different on the thunder jet, but the high bow, reverse chine and dead rise are details to consider. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537 using Lake Ontario United mobile app

What dealers are you dealing with out west and do they ship? Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537 using Lake Ontario United mobile app

18 degree deadrise and a reverse chine sounds nice in comparison to the hewescraft ocean pro spec hull. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537 using Lake Ontario United mobile app

I'm just catching fish from mercury powered tracker currently, not really an "offshore" boat. I'm in the market looking for a Defiance, Parker, Grady, Pursuit, Albermarle or similar. The problem is, there is very little market around here to shop or deal with, as I'm sure you are aware. Anytime I'm in FL or even Maryland there are vastly more choices and dealers to talk to than around here. For aluminum boats, I'd second one of the starcraft 19 degree deadrise hulls as mentioned earlier here, but they are smaller than what you are probably looking for. The Hewsecraft Ocean Pro would be great if you want a big boat but aren't concerned with rough water performance. Keep in mind, the great lakes is nothing more than a secondary market to them. They constantly advertise as being the most popular boat in "Alaska", where most of the fishing I've seen is within sight of shore, often in inner passage ways. The boats are designed to run in saltwater. The 240 OP is worse than the 220 OP for being bow heavy because the helm to bow distance was maintained on the 240, the same is with their core design 220. This "forward justified" layout as they call it in their literature makes it difficult for a single outboard to lift and give you a good attitude on your bow in rough seas, especially in freshwater. Its obvious they have a rather limited dealer network around the great lakes with very little in the way of actual dealers with mechanical / welding repair capabilities in this region. The hulls were never developed for nor tested on the great lakes. In the end, you have to make our choice and my only recommendation is to drive it in a good north wind before putting your money down on one. Make up your own mind as to whether the boat inspires confidence as compared to a Grady or Parker. If you only plan to fish on fair weather days, it may be a decent choice for the amount of room offered. At the end of the day, its a bow heavy 15 degree deadrise boat that tows easy for its size.

Three group 31 batteries, plus minnkota second alternator, plus on board three bank charger, plus bow mount motor were certainly contributing. If all the weight was set in the rear it would be a significant change. In my opinion the 240 op is going to be more nose heavy than the 220 or any of the sea runners simply due to the longer moment arm to the single outboard. No matter how far back you trimmed the bow would not rise enough to clear waves. Have run similar heavy hull welded aluminum in salt water and never had as much of a concern. The ride is rough, but if you prefer it over a parker or steigerctaft, go for it. It all depends who you talk to and what conditions they fish...one man's rough seas is another's walleye chop. Make sure you test drive in a heavy blow before buying is my advice. Also, may want to check the welds of a model with ten plus years on the great Lakes with a dye penetrant examination, for possible signs of stress crack formation. Of course that would be under warranty but it's a long way to Washington for a repair. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537 using Lake Ontario United mobile app

I had a 240 OP rigid frame soft top. The frame of the soft top puddles water that later drips on you, as the hull is overly nose heavy and will not run with a high attitude on the bow to clear waves, even with a 250 hp engine. Keep in mind they were designed for saltwater and don't have the same freeboard in freshwater. Other owners describe them as submarining in the great Lakes and recommend the hard top for that reason. The ride is very wet and rough compared to a 196 fishmaster or superfishman with 19 degree dead rise and reverse chine. Doesn't compare at all in ride to a 23 ft to 28 ft fiberglass boat from pursuit, seaswirl, grady, sportcraft, bayliner, etc. I've fished British Columbia, Alaska and Washington waters for salmon. There are islands, bays and coves to break up the wind there. In the middle of Lake Ontario, it's just open with no place to run, hide, or shelter from weather. You may also like a raider, north river, or Duckworth boat if you like the hewescraft layout. The Duckworth have reverse chine design, which offers a drier ride in the variable seas the great Lakes are known for. I've fished raiders before and they were not as nose heavy as the 240 OP. If I can answer any further questions, feel free to message me. Good luck in your decision.