1998 252 updating thread

[xlint89]

Thanks for the tip, unfortunately there are none to be had at this time.


Started pulling everything out of the engine compartment today to pressure wash.

Always fun to check out the bilge of a used water craft. No big surprises, that's good. Literally a handful of nuts, bolts, screws, and washers. A broken spark plug and part of an electricians fiberglass fishing rod.

Why is it every Tom, Dick, and Harry takes their car to a repair shop, but feels they can "fix" their boat or jet ski?

Now remember, this boat drives fine.

Found 2 weather pack connectors zip tied to the ECM. On each connector both wires were cut off. One connector with 2 red wires, and one connector with 2 blue wires.

Also sitting on the intake manifold was a factory elec connector (not water tight like the other 2) single wire completely cut off.

Butt splice connectors all over the place with no heat shrink.

Green corrosion forming on the connectors of the captain's call.

They kind of installed a battery box for the stereo. Didn't use SS screws to mount it, nor did they drill a drain hole in the box. (screw heads completely rotted, had to drill them out) Lid was missing and nothing holding the battery down other than the plastic battery box itself containing it. No protective boots over the battery terminals.

On a positive note, it was a blue Optima gel battery. However, it was connected to a dual battery switch that joined to a Napa marine wet cell battery. I thought this was a no-no? (different battery types combined)

Inside the engine compartment on the port side was a large black carpeted box. To my surprise, this was a subwoofer. A JL audio 13w3.

And they used JL audio 1/0 AWG tinned copper wire for supplying power to the amps in the porta potti cubby. Maybe 15' of each + and -

I'll post up some pics soon.

[xlint89]

Old, dirty, and plain ole' WTF?????

[xlint89]

JL Audio 13.5" Subwoofer mounted in bilge with only a 200 watt amp?

[xlint89]

Much better.....

[akorcovelos]

Looking good! Jealous of that beautiful 502!

[xlint89]

Thanks. The engine is why I overlooked a lot of issues when purchasing this boat.

I need to CLR those rust spots in the port back corner. Previous owner had a bag full of bungee cords back there. Then put all the "S" hooks from them into a baggy. Those "S" hooks were so rusted, they actually fused together. That's what those stains are.

Good note: ordered up the SS cup holders (not the lighted version though)

Got to wonder though. Capacity is 12 people (not even sure how they came to that number unless they meant small children) but only have 6 cup holders on board. What's up with that????

[akorcovelos]

Not sure what changed, but mine is only rated for 9, which is fine for us, but you have literally the exact same boat but can fit 3 more than me...

[Big Block Power]

Not sure what changed, but mine is only rated for 9, which is fine for us, but you have literally the exact same boat but can fit 3 more than me...

2 years newer. Diff stringer set up. Totally diff.

[akorcovelos]

Not sure what changed, but mine is only rated for 9, which is fine for us, but you have literally the exact same boat but can fit 3 more than me...

2 years newer. Diff stringer set up. Totally diff.

Really? They redesigned the stringers but kept the interior layout the same? Odd.

[Big Block Power]

Not sure what changed, but mine is only rated for 9, which is fine for us, but you have literally the exact same boat but can fit 3 more than me...

2 years newer. Diff stringer set up. Totally diff.

Really? They redesigned the stringers but kept the interior layout the same? Odd.

I'm sure Kate will chime in and tell us what they did. I'm sure they are all fiberglass and more of them and even changed directions of some of them. Or maybe because you got the tiny engine the 280. Hey are the ski lockers in the same place? Gas tanks the same size?

[akorcovelos]

2 years newer. Diff stringer set up. Totally diff.

Really? They redesigned the stringers but kept the interior layout the same? Odd.

I'm sure Kate will chime in and tell us what they did. I'm sure they are all fiberglass and more of them and even changed directions of some of them. Or maybe because you got the tiny engine the 280. Hey are the ski lockers in the same place? Gas tanks the same size?

The only thing not glass or composite from a structural perspective is the transom on mine as '96 was the first year for wood free(ish) construction on the 252. Curious what formula they use for ratings (now and then)?

I've always used the USCG formula, but apparently the 252 is right at the limit of that formula's rating capability.

This formula, L X B/15, has been around a long, long, time. I have traced it as far back as the 1940’s. In the boating world, that is ancient. It has shown up in a lot of well respected boating publications, books, and even in the US Coast Guard Boatbuilders Handbook. It is not the formula that boat manufacturers and builders are required to use to determine persons capacity for recreational boats, or for commercial passenger carrying boats. The formula is a rule of thumb. It is only meant to be used as a rough estimate. It is in the handbook only as a way to estimate the number of passengers. It is also only intended for use with small mono-hull boats, usually outboard powered but it has been used for small inboards. It should never be used for boats more than 25 or 26 feet in length. It is simply not applicable to larger boats. The USCG, ABYC, Canada and ISO all rate capacity for boats under 20 feet (6m)the same way. It is not based on a specific weight of a person such as 150 or 160 pounds. Capacity on small boats is based on displacement weight. This is the amount of weight it would take to sink the boat. First the displacement weight is determined either by calculation or a test. Then the maximum weight capacity is determined by dividing the displacement weight by five or seven depending on the type of boat. The weight for persons is then determined based on the maximum weight capacity. Then the number of persons is calculated using the formula, persons weight + 32 /141. The important figure is persons weight, not number of persons.

https://newboatbuilders.com/docs/BoatCa ... eating.pdf

I was at one point planning on replacing the capacity tag with the 12 person one, but after using it for a season I realized I would never have 12 people on this boat as it would be way too cramped. On later 2000+ 252s they changed the layout but still retain the 12 person capacity, except the interior could actually accommodate 12 people in some form.

[xlint89]

I'm extremely surprised at the amount of wasted space on this boat. I could smuggle 2 adults in the engine compartment. Put at least 2 more in the ski locker. Another adult under the rear bench seat. And the last hiding place is under the helm.

There's a bunch of room along the gunwales too. Really pretty easy to see how they gained the additional seating in the newer model.

[Kate]

Not sure what changed, but mine is only rated for 9, which is fine for us, but you have literally the exact same boat but can fit 3 more than me...

2 years newer. Diff stringer set up. Totally diff.

That and a Kevlar-reinforced hull added to the load bearing capacity of the floor. The 9 (as of 1997) vs. the 12 (as of 1998) is not a function of displacement or seating capacity. (Seating for even 9 is stretch.) The +3 "seating" is really +450-552 pounds (depending on whether your use the 150#'s/person or the 184#'s/person calculation).

[akorcovelos]

Not sure what changed, but mine is only rated for 9, which is fine for us, but you have literally the exact same boat but can fit 3 more than me...

2 years newer. Diff stringer set up. Totally diff.

That and a Kevlar-reinforced hull added to the load bearing capacity of the floor. The 9 (as of 1997) vs. the 12 (as of 1998) is not a function of displacement or seating capacity. (Seating for even 9 is stretch.) The +3 "seating" is really +450-552 pounds (depending on whether your use the 150#'s/person or the 184#'s/person calculation).

Great info, thanks Rick!

[Kate]

2 years newer. Diff stringer set up. Totally diff.

That and a Kevlar-reinforced hull added to the load bearing capacity of the floor. The 9 (as of 1997) vs. the 12 (as of 1998) is not a function of displacement or seating capacity. (Seating for even 9 is stretch.) The +3 "seating" is really +450-552 pounds (depending on whether your use the 150#'s/person or the 184#'s/person calculation).

Great info, thanks Rick!

Anything for you, akor.

Signed,

Not Rick