Opinions/Comments Mako 284 CC w/ 225 Optimax

[DroppinLoads]

Greetings all,

First off, thank you to the powers that be for providing this forum, it provides an exceptional wealth of information.

I presently own a 1999 27 Contender with twin 200 Yamaha HPDIs and I love the boat. It has been wonderful for me and over the past decade fit my needs perfectly. I am not certain I am making a change but...

I am considering entering the market for a new boat however this time around I am including boats that appear to have a bit more "family features". My oldest and best fishing partner, my father is getting older, my nephews are coming on more and more trips, and would like to examine boats that have some more cushions/seating, a head, a bit more beam, etc.

I have seen a few local dealers offering older inventory such as 2007, 2008 Mako 284 CCs with twin Mercury 225/250 at what appear to be big price reductions (as they should).

Before I get too involved I am wondering if I may ask for this forums general impressions regarding the ride, construction and rigging of this particular model? How would it compare to the Sailfish for which I have read and seen some good things?

I haven't had a chance to look too far into the workmanship but as an example, I saw a SeaCraft recently whose electrical work looked like a bird's nest shoved into a small box, which I want to avoid (and honestly find unconscionable, though the 23TE thread looks nice).

May thanks to all...

[surly]

All over your glasses!!!

[makosteve66]

I had a 2006 284 w/ twin 250 Verados. I liked the boat. It was a very good value for the price. It is a BIG 28 footer. wide (9'10" beam), high gunwales (mid thigh+ and I am 6'1"), plenty of room, plenty of storage. Boat was solid as a tank and would really be able to hold its own in rough water.

Fit and Finish - Mediocre. Certainly not the best, but also not the worst - again VALUE, you are not paying the same as boats with the fine fit and finish

Wiring - I give it a C+. The factory wiring was passable (but you will want to "clean it up some"), the stuff that was done at the dealer (in my case Bass Pro Shops - Dania) was horrible.

We bought new. Had a nice sized list of "small things" when we brought the boat back the 1x that we did for service and warranty correction. That ordeal was enough that we never went back for service - and let a few additional warranty items slide - just was not worth it to go through the hassle of bringing it back. Some of the small issues. busted gas shock on one of the hatches (several of them broke after that - not high quality stuff) some of the hatches leaked - the bench seating up front is supposed to be water tight -it is NOT - never will be, the door to the console/head compartment is a poor design. also has a hard time staying water tight. their "fix" was to add a latch on top (rubber - tensioned) I spoke at length wiithe the factory about this and was fairly surprised to see the same latch on new boats at the boat shows 2 years later. they should have fixed the issue. we had a short in the molded in spreader lights, fuel tank sender was bad, afew screws that backed out - shoul have been bolts, etc. all small stuff.

Boat ran very well. good in a head sea, but not great (21 degree dead rise) took some finesse to get good at running into a head sea. However the boat more than made up for it in stability. The boast was one of the best drifting, trolling boats that I have ever been on. It was also very dry. It was not the most economical boat around. the beam and bulk had a price. also not the quickest - but plenty fast for me. With the generation I Verado 250s I averaged 1.2-1.6 mpg at most cruise RPMs at a speed of 22-34 knots. faster than that and it dropped off considerably. That is with the thirsty Verado Gen Is, but I had friends with the same motors on more efficient hulls and did better, so I knew it was the boat. Everything has a trade off. A good, solid, safe, all around boat. Watch George Poveromo's show - same boat - you can see the room it gives you and get a feel for the performance.

Would I do it again - yes. But in todays market (a little different than 11/05 when we started looking and 01/06 when we took delivery) I would be looking hard at a late model used boat. For the same dollars as a new 284 you could probably get a 2-3 year old Sea Vee 29, Pursuit, or somehting like that - a tru step up over the mako. That would probably be the route that I would go today.

I will say that - even new - I would have the boat surveyed. Not just a Mako, but any boat. Good Luck!

[bstnsportsfan]

Steve: Excellent write up! Out of curiousity, what does the 284 go for new (approx)?

[23Dorado]

You're really considering going from a Contender to a Mako (especially a tracker built model)? Go find a good fabricator to make you some removable seating and keep the Contender.

[makosteve66]

Originally Posted by bstnsportsfan

Steve: Excellent write up! Out of curiousity, what does the 284 go for new (approx)?

I do not know these days - last years boat show had the "show price" (I do not recall the exact #) but is was in the vicinity of 115K. We got a great deal - that is why I say it was a great value. in 2006 we were out the door for about 90K (including tax) - with everything but electronics. at the same time, a similar sized Whaler or Grady would have been over 40K more! and honestly, I have been on plenty of Whalers and Gradys and I liked the Mako better.

We had the electric head and the full "deluxe package" (hard top, cockpit coaming, folding rear bench). we had every option except the bow pulpit w/ anchor roller - that became available about 6 months after we got ours. That reminds me of one of the poorer designs on the boat. the anchor locker - basically non existent - just a door that was an open - unfinished space in the bow - no way to secure the anchor. we actually ended up keeping ours in a basket w/ the line in the center in deck well (forward of the console) - a holdover from my Giant Tuna fishing days up in the NE.

[tommyr904]

Originally Posted by 23Dorado

You're really considering going from a Contender to a Mako (especially a tracker built model)? Go find a good fabricator to make you some removable seating and keep the Contender.

x2



there was a 284 that sunk last wekend in the GOM.from what i heard a thru hull came loose as they where anchored to the air force tower.

[DroppinLoads]

Appreciate the feedback and a special thanks to makosteve for the detailed review.

Clearly the swap "down" from a Contender to a Mako is not a natural one however I figured it was worth asking.

What sparked this is that my current boat is going to be repowered shortly (currently going through the last of the quotes) and I have spoken with a fabricator who is sending me some ideas for two "little one" jump seats, new padding and an upgraded rocket launcher.

Needless to say, that price tag is going to be pretty heavy too therefore I figured there was no harm in asking.

[project31]

Originally Posted by DroppinLoads

Appreciate the feedback and a special thanks to makosteve for the detailed review.

Clearly the swap "down" from a Contender to a Mako is not a natural one however I figured it was worth asking.

What sparked this is that my current boat is going to be repowered shortly (currently going through the last of the quotes) and I have spoken with a fabricator who is sending me some ideas for two "little one" jump seats, new padding and an upgraded rocket launcher.

Needless to say, that price tag is going to be pretty heavy too therefore I figured there was no harm in asking.

Just invest in a few e-sea rider bean bags, they are more comfortable then any other type of seating you can add to your boat and they stow easy for when it comes time for some serious fishing. Honestly you will not regret it, do a search on here about them and you will see.

[Chiliando]

X-2 on the E-sea Rider Bean bag chairs.

[project31]

do yourself a favor and don't buy a Mako. Tracker Mako's aren't the Mako of yesturyear. Contender is as good as it gets, don't sell yourself short.