opinions on Edgewater 228

[LA Newbies]

Dear Gang,

Thank you for the detailed response to our prior questions.

I think we've decided to go with a center console, the Edgewater 228, if I can get the dealer's price down a little more.

I had a couple of questions for the group:
-does this model's vacuum assisted resin injection make a significant change in the durability of this boat's hull?
-any thoughts on a Yamaha 225 versus a 250? It would appear (at least on paper) that these engines behave about the same on this particular hull despite the actual difference in horsepower probably being more than 25 hp (the data I'm looking at actually shows the same "time to plane" for each motor).
-is there a newer version of the Yamaha 250 that's been updated to include some of the amenities of the 350 (i.e. drive by wire, variable valve timing, etc.)?

Thanks in advance for answering these questions. Any other input from EW 228 owners would be greatly appreciated.

LA Newbies

[triguy7]

The 225 is more than adequate for that boat, but for about the same money I would get the 250. The 225 puts out around 208 hp and the 250 is a 250. I just sold my Edgewater after 6 years. They are great boats and use some high tech building methods. I had no complaints with the build quality or company.

Edgewater makes a fine boat although I chose the Ranger Bay 2400. I got the Yammi F250 with a 10 inch jack plate and the boat performs exactly as shown in the Yamaha brochure. If the money isn't significant, I'd opt for the 250. I think you'd find that the fuel burn would be the same and you'd gain some hole shot and top end. I think you'd swing a 15" prop on the 250 versus 14 1/2 on the 225 (not sure).

[Wicked Awesome]

I have a EW 225 - a 2002 model year version of the same hull. My boat is rigged with a 200 HPDI which provides plenty of power for this hull. The 225/228 hull is set up as a fuel efficient and stable cruiser, not a Contender deep V wanna-be. I rarely run over 4,000 RPM, which gives you a GPS generated speed in the low 30 MPH range (with a t-top). I have always chickened out before pressing it over 5,000 RPM, so I can't tell you where the top end speed is. Given current fuel prices, I may never find out. The 225 4-stroke would seem like the way to go, although I really llike the HPDI and would buy another. The 250 seems like overkill unless you like to go really fast.

[ian_upton]

I have not been on the 22 Edgewater, but I have been very impressed with their hulls. My sister has a 205 EX which I thought rode just about as well as my Bertram 20 (but much drier...).

The SPI single piece infusion used on the Edgewaters from 22' up is pretty cool. It really takes the variability out of fiberglass layup. There are zero secondary bonds in the hull / stringer system. Laminate thickness is uniform and there should be much less 'fitting' required when then hull and deck come together.

As far as engine choices, the performance reviews that you can see on the Yamaha site show very little fuel consumption between the 225 and the 250. If you can afford the extra coin, I think the 250 would be the better choice. Engine weight is the same. I think the 250 adds variable timing and is really a different motor all together.

Ian.

[606zpx]

Great boat. In floor storage a bit limited but otherwise great. If it were me I would consider 250. Only problem with the 250 is having to burn mid grade gas which adds 10c per gallon (so you are aware).

[TheFloater]

If your hull is rated for it, definitely get the F250, way more engine for not that much more money. The F250 has variable valve timing, but the F225 does not. The F250 also has fly-by-wire throttle control. Not sure about the F225.

Yamaha recommends 89 octane for the F250, but you can burn 87 without harming the engine. The only downside is a possible slight drop in power as the engine's computer adjusts for the lower octane gas. In my experience, the performance difference between 87 and 89 octane is not noticeable. Got this octane info from SIM who got it straight from Yamaha, so I consider this data to be reliable. I've run about 200 hours of 87 octane through my F250.

Good luck.