Shearwater 25TE

[Tonka337]

I'm the new guy around here and was hoping to find out some information about the Shearwater 25TE. I have spoken with a few of you guys on here and would like to say thanks for the suggestions and advise.

I'm looking at a 2010 Shearwater 25TE. Its my buddy's boat. Though I've riden in it a few times, I have no prior experience with Shearwater's capabilties and I've always been a Triton 240LTS man. One day I might be running in foot of water, and the next 30 miles offshore. I enjoy this type of versatility in a boat.

I have to admit that the 300hp Verado on the Shearwater means business. Boat is loaded with pwr pole, 2 Lowrance HDS units networked with structure scan, jack plate, rip tide trolling motor, timers on bait and live wells, and wash down. It pretty much has everything (except a radio).

I did notice when I drove it, the boat porpus's a little. I would have to keep the engine trimmed almost all the way down when running. With my Triton, I could trim the motor up and run with just the very back of the boat in the water. With the prop the Shearwater has now, the boats tops out at 55mph. The Shearwater is supposed to run 60+. Could this just be a prop isuue?

So, minor issues but the price is definitely right. Anyone have any input that would help me in my decision? Much appreciated.

[PaulMyers]

Trim tabs and the correct prop will make all the difference in the world.

EVO

[Tonka337]

The owner mentioned using the trim tabs, but I though that might be robbing the boat of its biggest asset, it's speed and fuel consumption? Definitely will be trying different props if I get it. I heard of a prop guy in LC that was brilliant with finding the right prop for the boat.

[bjhooper82]

no experience with a shearwater but imo they sure are some of the finest boats out there!!

[noodle creek]

fish in one all the time. good boat, just gets you a little wet sometimes. and yeah with the right prop it should run about 60

[southern151]

I'd float it!!! Pretty boats...the ones that I have seen.

[meaux fishing]

Why is he selling it? I looked at a few shearwaters before I bought my boat. IMO the Triton is a better boat. Thats why I bought one. Shearwater is a damn fine looking boat I just didnt like the way it was layed out. I also heard some negative opinions from people I trust about them so thats my .02. Never rode in one though. Go back with the Triton

[Dink]

I personally will not ever get a boat with a verado on it

[meaux fishing]

Originally Posted by Dink

I personally will not ever get a boat with a verado on it

x 2

[Montauk17]

Originally Posted by Dink

I personally will not ever get a boat with a verado on it

X1000

[Tonka337]

Thanks for the comments fella's. He is selling the boat because he is down sizing to a 22' boat. What's the deal with the Verado's? You boys don't seems to be fan's of the Verado? I know they had a lot of problems with the 275 back a few years ago. Here of any issues with the new 300's? And yes, Triton 240LTS was my first choice but could not find one lately without bustin my cash for a new one. LMC in Houston wants 63K for a new 240LTS and it's bare bones. By the time I would add everything, I'd be 70+ in a new boat that would be worth about 10-15K less within a year. Hard decisions.

[Montauk17]

After working at a merc service center I would never own a verado. Way too many recalls,burnt powerheads,lower units,the list goes on. If you really want a merc go with the optimax.

[Tonka337]

I hear you on the Optimax. I just sold my 2005 240LTS a few days ago. It had a 225 Optimax on it. I loved that damn boat. I owned it for almost 4 years and never, ever did I have a problem with the engine. I just wanted a newer one with a 4 stroke on it. When I sold mine, I couldn't find anything like it in the 2008-2011 year range. Having a hard time biting the bullet to get a new one. This Shearwater has been very well kept up and out of the weather, it seemed like a sweet deal at 53K. I do appreciate the comments.

[Montauk17]

Originally Posted by Tonka337

I hear you on the Optimax. I just sold my 2005 240LTS a few days ago. It had a 225 Optimax on it. I loved that damn boat. I owned it for almost 4 years and never, ever did I have a problem with the engine. I just wanted a newer one with a 4 stroke on it. When I sold mine, I couldn't find anything like it in the 2008-2011 year range. Having a hard time biting the bullet to get a new one. This Shearwater has been very well kept up and out of the weather, it seemed like a sweet deal at 53K. I do appreciate the comments.

If you want a four stroke go with the yamaha 300 four stroke v6.

[ckinchen]

If you do get a Verado, check out the lower unit. I have the larger lower unit on my 300 and I really like it. I had the standard 300 Verado lower unit and it left me stranded offshore once and I didn't care for a few other things about the engine. Now I would consider getting another one although the Yam 300 would be my first choice.

On the Shearwater, I think the LE is the one with the T-top. I have a friend with one and he only sees around 56 out of it, without the top you should see 60 or better. A guy I buy props from in Fla has one without the top that he claims will do 63 with a V 300.

[Tonka337]

How do I know if it has the smaller lower unit or the larger one? Does the 300 come from the factory with only the smaller and the larger unit has to be purchased aftermarket? If so, how much is the larger lower unit?

[ckinchen]

Originally Posted by Tonka337

How do I know if it has the smaller lower unit or the larger one? Does the 300 come from the factory with only the smaller and the larger unit has to be purchased aftermarket? If so, how much is the larger lower unit?

They call the larger lower unit the offshore version. I believe it is only around $500 more for it when you buy the engine. When my lower unit went out after only 15 hours of use, they upgraded me to the offshore version. The one I have now is actually larger in size than the standard lower unit. We parked my boat next to another V-300 and the difference was noticeable. You mentioned that you deal with LMC, David at LMC is the person that helped me get the upgrade. They have both smaller and larger lower units on thier Verado's in stock so you could go and take a few pictures of them if you wanted and you would be able to tell the difference. I'm sure there is a model or number difference on the lower unit itself but I am not sure what that would be. Chances are, unless he requested it, the boat you are looking at probably has the smaller lower unit.

If his boat is newer you should have a Version 2 verado, the version ones are the really bad engines that Mont and others on here are really scared of.

[Montauk17]

Originally Posted by ckinchen

They call the larger lower unit the offshore version. I believe it is only around $500 more for it when you buy the engine. When my lower unit went out after only 15 hours of use, they upgraded me to the offshore version. The one I have now is actually larger in size than the standard lower unit. We parked my boat next to another V-300 and the difference was noticeable. You mentioned that you deal with LMC, David at LMC is the person that helped me get the upgrade. They have both smaller and larger lower units on thier Verado's in stock so you could go and take a few pictures of them if you wanted and you would be able to tell the difference. I'm sure there is a model or number difference on the lower unit itself but I am not sure what that would be. Chances are, unless he requested it, the boat you are looking at probably has the smaller lower unit.

If his boat is newer you should have a Version 2 verado, the version ones are the really bad engines that Mont and others on here are really scared of.

I agree the 2010 and newer verados are much more reliable. Only time will tell if the newer ones hold up. When it comes to a boat motor I use the KISS rule. Less moving parts = more reliable. Most of the verados we worked on was wildlife and fisheries and offshore rigs that hardly ever turn off on the water. It was not unusual at the time for a verado to burn up with under 300 hours. I have seen some old WLF boats with optimaxs on em with over 5,000 hours. Sure over time the opti will need some work,but not as many burn up and need a new powerhead vs. verado.

[Duracraft19]

Just wanted to say congrats on getting the boat and introducing me to this site. If you haven't put a VHF or radio on the boat let me know. I'll give you a great deal whether you want iCom,Standard Horizon,Cobra etc....

[alphaman]

tonka337 check this one out if u havent seeb it yet!! its an 06 24ft with 250 yami 260 hrs. in florida $39,900

http://www.boattrader.com/listing/20...0-Lts-99301420