Prokat 2200 W/A Cuddy - Aluminum instead of fiberglass hardtop

[aquasport22ccp87]

I just ordered a Prokat 2200 W/A Cuddy.
Because I am 6'7" the dealer suggested I have the 1/2 tower and hardtop custom made locally (for the same price as the factory) to make sure I have enough head room. He also said the top could be made out of aluminum instead of fiberglass to reduce weight. The owner of the dealership had one on his boat. Does anyone know of any disadvatages of this set up.

Also does anyone out there have any experience with this model. I'm putting Honda 130's on it.

Thanks

[tex4771]

i have no information for you, only questions. I am very seriously considering purchasing the same boat and am interested in what kind of pricing you got. We do not have any serious cat dealers over here and I am planning a trip to Fla. next month to make a purchase. I am real interested to see your performance numbers with full fuel, 2 or 3 buddies, ice, beer, etc. I drove one with the lighter 4 stroke yamaha 115s (the factory recomendation) with only two on board and barely enough fuel to bump the fuel indicators and it was 38 at WOT in smooth water. I bet fueled up and loaded it would be hard pressed to do 30. Any personal insights would be appreciated at tex4771@aol.com or on this forum.
Thanks

[Big E]

Aquasport=

I have the same boat . Got it in early March. IMO you are going to be disappointed in the Hondas. I sea trialed the boat last year with the Suzuki DF115's. AsTex mentioned, I was concerned about the expected performance.

Mine has the DF140's with 14 X 20 Suzuki stainless props. With a full load of fuel, gear ice, fresh water and 3 anglers WOT is 35 mph at 5700 rpm. Cruise is 4200 to 4400 rpm yielding 27.5mph and 2.1 mpg.

Keep in mind that cats are NOT speed demons as most people think. They just need a lot less HP to maintain speed. The DF 140's are fine for my use. I like to fish and stay comfortable and dry. I may not get to the fishing grounds the fastest. But when the weather is snotty, I wave bye-bye to those that stay in the bay or don't leave the dock. And at the end of the day I don't usually reach for the pain killers!

If I were ordering now, I definitely would do the 140's since they can swing a bigger prop. As a second choice I would select Yammie HPDI 150's. The Hondas are good engines, but if you do a search on them you will see that a lot of their complaints are performance based.

I think the aluminum top sounds like a good idea. My question is, does it have any effect on electronics like radar or GPS that is mounted topside? Something like "ghost" signals or reflected signals, etc?

Also, how corrosion proof is it? Would you have to go top side a couple of times a year to wax or protect the finish?


TSLTW

[This message was edited by Big E on 08-20-02 at 06:39 AM.]

[This message was edited by Big E on 08-20-02 at 06:42 AM.]

[aquasport22ccp87]

tex4771
The price is $61000. This is with Honda 130's and every option they offer except the custom silver dive ladder and electronics. The price includes aluminum magic tilt trailer/outriggers/electric head/spotlight/dual batteries/fuel water sepaarator/windlass & anchor/bolsters/hardtop w/ e-box/fresh water washdown/jump seats/trim tabs.
I looked at a used 2001 with Suzuki 115's for $39900. It didn't have a trailer/hardtop/head/windlass and had bottom paint. I didn't test drive it but the owner claimed it cruised at 22-24mph at 4200 rpm and had a top speed of 32-34. I am hoping the honda's will give me a cruising speed close to 30 at 4500-4800 rpm. I am considering the 150 HPDI's (especially after Big E's post)but don't want to lose the fuel economy of the honda's. I don't know want the difference would be though.

[gw204]

I've got no direct experience to back this up but everything I have read states that the HPDI's are every bit as efficient as the 4 strokes. Can anyone attest to this?

Brian

[Big E]

Aquasport-

I believe that the most efficient cruise speed for the Hondas will be in the 4300-4400 range. I also think that they have 13" props. With that set up you might get close to 30 mph at 4700rpm but you will have those Honda props "loaded" and will lose the mpg. If the efficiency is what you are looking at and it's not too late, go with Zuki 14o's. If speed is critical to you, the 150 HPDI's will keep you happy. As GW204 mentions, you will be similar in efficiency but will incur the cost of the oil!

BTW, definitely consider a FLO SCAN; the gas gauges are terrible on that boat. I mean, they are off by a half tank at times!



If you have any other questions, let me know!

TSLTW

[aquasport22ccp87]

You are probably right Big E but my dealer doesn't sell Suzuki's. Says they don't have a corrosion warranty. The only other dealers are 2 and 1/2 hours away. Do Suzuki's have a corrosion problem. The used 2001 did have some corrosion on it.
Think I will stick with the 4 strokes for their resale value. Speed is not as important to me (I say that now). I Will just have to take it easy on the long trips. Probably won't get to run at 30+ that often anyway.
I expressed my concerns to the dealer and they recommended the Honda's over the 150 HPDI's. I don't see why they would be biased; they sell both and didn't really try to push me in either direction.

[cat man]

Likely you will want to push the Honda's beyond their fuel efficient range.

The 150 yam hdpi's will be right at their efficient cruise.

It is easy to underpower a cat.

When it's flat,it's nice to have a little extra under the hood!

[SoloScuba]

Aquasport,

E-mail and talk to this person, Ben Lowery blowery@cablelynx.com . He has the boat you are looking at with Yamaha 150 HPDIs. He can do every bit of 40 mph cruising and probably tops out at 48 - 50 mph WOT. Tell him Dave sent you.

Good luck!

[Big E]

Aquasport-

I have the 6 year warranty on the Zukis.

The first 3 are manufacturer's the next 3 covered by Pinnacle. Corrosion IS DEFINITELY covered with the usual clause about obvious neglect, abuse, etc.

There was a short thread on this forum a few weeks ago about one owner who was experiencing corrosion on the lower unit. There was something about the anodes not being zinc, but plastic instead. As I remember, the vast majority of Suzuki owners that responded, indicated that they had no corrosion problems over multiple years and models!

In fact, there was a longer thread on numerous corrosion problems with Hondas. If you do a search on either of these you will find them!

The salesman probably didn't "push" the Yammies, since your boat probably has the Hondas already rigged and it would cost to swap everything out. Keep in mind that Pro Sports uses Yammies when they factory rig.

In all fairness, this is only the first year that the DF140 was available. Only time will tell if there is a corrosion problem that exists. I have over 150 hours on mine, keep it in a wet slip and fresh water flush them only every second or third trip. I don't see evidence of any corrosion at all!

TSLTW

[popl]

Aquasport,
To your original hardtop question, give Kevin or Eric at Top Gun a call(205-489-8609). Top Gun makes Pro Sports tops. (I think I gave you the right #, they are located at Double Springs, Alabama.) I have a 2860SC and the top height seems excessive(but I'm only 5'11").
Don't underpower the boat. Look at as much data as you can on h.p. vs economy. It would be nice to have mid range 4-strokes but they aren't available yet. The pro Kats are planning hulls and benifit from good effeciency at higher speeds. Yamaha has some testing results on their web site.
Joe

Sapelo kat Rider

[Big E]

Popl-

Excellent suggestion.

I think Aquasport will have a couple of inches of headroom, even on the 22OO. I am 6'2" and know that there is a good 8-9 inches left. The only concern is the E-box. He would be looking directly into if not down into it!!

But maybe the guys at Top Gun could move it or do sommething "custom" ith it.

I still would also like to know about the corrosion protection and electronics interference (if any) with an all aluminum Hard Top.

TSLTW

[popl]

BIG E,
Funny you should mention the box. One of my problems is with the box being too high. The box I have doesn't open on the bottom 1 1/2" and I had to boost the lower instruments up. I don't know about the 2200 but my 2860 runs slightly nose up at it's most comfortable trim. He needs to go hop on one and test it out.
As for an alunimum top, I find the frame a big enough lightning magnet without adding more metal mass.
Joe

Sapelo kat Rider

[sr31aj]

aquasport - the only drawback to aluminim tops that I'm familiar with is that many, if not most, fabricators leave the gridwork of square tubing under the top exposed - and it's a pain, if not impossible, to maintain. Solution is easy, should be relatively cheap, and shouldn't add much weight - make sure the top mfr puts a piece of painted sheet stock on the underside of the gridwork, so it's finsihed off the same as the top. Sheet underneath probably doesn't need to be anywhere near the same gauge as the material on top.

Good luck with the new boat.

Don

[aquasport22ccp87]

The 2200 I looked at didn't have a top so I checked the height of the 2660 and only had about 1 inch. So to be safe we decided on the custom job. I had trouble seeing in the box because the door did not open all the way up and blocked my view. The dealership owners boat runs radar without any problems.
sr thanks for the suggestion on the underside.

Big E, keep an eye on the front piece that connects to the steering bar. That is where I saw the corrosion on the used one I looked at.
I saw the thread on Honda corrosion and didn't see anymore problems than other brands.

I other question I have is on trailering. It looks like The total weight will be 7000-7500 lbs which is the limit of my f150.