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Random Quote: Fishing "A pleasure disguised as a sport"
anyone heard or had any experience with a single 250 on this boat?
Is the fuel tank 180 or 120??
is the weight 3300 or 3600?
Think i will be buying this boat if it wont be too much of a dog with that power.
Any suggestions for transducer for c80 Raymarine for this boat?
Think I can trailer it with a V6 2002 explorer on dual axel trailer?
Really need rod racks under gunnel, preferably for fly-rods, any ideas?
Thanks yall
From a thread on the Boating Forum: Suzuki or Yamaha 4 strokes?
I've got an F250 on a Grady 258. She's 24'9" and weighs 4048, dry. With full fuel, 127 gallons, I get 42 mph top end (6000 rpm). 4,000 rpm gets me 26 mph and about 3 mpg.
I have a 24.6 foot Aquasport explorer @ 4800 lbs + 800 for motor and then add gear. I powered with 250 four stroke yamaha ... top end speed 45 mph . just missing 50 hours without a problem.
My own experience with a 1997 Proline 231 Walk around (now the 241) 255 LOA, 3800 lbs. 130 gal fuel, Hard Top, 1997 Johnson carbureted 2-stroke 225, Top speed 47 at 5800 RPM, cruise was 30 at 4000 RPM. I usually fished 2-3 people, never more than 4. The boat was powered fine. It had a good hole shot and more than enough reserve power for climbing the backs of 6-8 foot waves on the two occasions that I was caught out.
You will be hauling 300 lbs more fuel than I did in my Proline , and the 4-stroke probably won't have the raw power of my older 2-stroke, but as long as you dont plan on loading the boat down, I think the 250 will be fine for the boat.
Contact Kee McKee. I had the same question. He indicated that a single 250 would be more than adequate. He felt that the boat could run with a properly propped 150. He said that on a twin 150 set up he simulated a dead engine and planed the boat with the remaining engine. The difference between the 22 and 24 is 300 pounds and 2 feet. If a 22 will run 50 with a 250 there shouldn't be much differnce with the 24. I think Kee might have sold me that boat and he should give himself the commission.
Let me correct my post above. A single 250 on the 24 Freedom will probably push it in the mid 40's WOT. I'm basing this on one that I tried out with twin 140's. Had a great hole shot and topped out at 45 mph. For me it was marginal, as I prefer more top end, but that just me.
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2005 McKee 23 TE/FS with 200 Zukes
50 Ton Masters with Towing Endorsement.
i dont think you are really going to find any actual experiences with a single setup on the 24. there are not all that many out there in the first place, and those that are, are set up for either maximum performance with twin 200s, or for best performance for the buck, and rigged with 150 four strokes (or the 140 suzis). there are several folks on here that will attest to the performance with the 150s, and realisitic expectations should be WOT at around 50ish mph with a cruise in the mid to high 30s. for the weekend angler these numbers sound inline. the boat is designed to take the sloppiest conditions and make the day comfortable. in order to do this, having adequate power is paramount. i dont want to argue that point (its physics), there are enough threads on here about that and opinions abound. as for the weight. well... the advertised 'dry weight' is not unlike other makers advertised weight. unless you have put your boat on the scales, i do not recommend making any high-dollar bets on the trailering weight or the fishing weight of the rig. in all actuallity, you can expect a ready-to-fish rig to weigh over to 5500 lbs, with a hundred gallons of fuel on board. (ours holds just over 180 gallons, by the way, which makes the fishing weight more like 6100 lbs) keep in mind, that too is your trailering weight, unless you run to empty, and only fuel up in the marina.
as far as getting up on plane with lower horsepower, ours will get up on plane with only 200 hp in the water (long story, dont ask), but will only maintain mid 30s and will slide off plane fairly quickly. of course we are carrying an extra 427 lbs on the back that a single outboard configuration would not be, but i can only imagine the performace with that 250 might not meet the expectations of an owner.
from everything we have heard on here and from the only other 24 owner in our area (with T150 hondas), the 150s are probably the best bet for the typical angler. i think the price is right with the 150s, too. i really think that would be my personal recommendation to a prospective buyer. i cannot say that i would recommend a single power option, at 250 or even at 300 hp. this hull is, in my humble opinion, simply the finest all around fishing in comfort platform to be had. couple that with its aggressive performance in less than favorable conditions and its potential for outstanding handling and top end speed, i just cant say that i would want to see it powered at the low end of its performance curve. it would be like having a throughbred wear flip flops. (or crocs ) i really think that would not do justice to what we consider the pinnacle of the 23/24 CCs produced today.
the 22F may be only a few hundred pounds lighter, but the reduction of weight is in the right places to keep that hull's performance at a maximum with single power. sometimes its by mistake, and sometimes its engineered, but when a motor and hull combination 'click', you really know it. it seems the 22F with the 250 single is one of those combos.
of course, these are just my opinions, and only based on what we have experienced ourselves and gathered from talking to other actual owners.
There is a 24 with a 225 Merc/Yami 4 stroke for sale in VA Beach (new). I looked at it repeatedly before deciding on the 22 with a F250 Yamaha. I'm reasonably sure it is underpowered with the transom deadrise the boat has. The dealer is firm on the package though. They dropped the McKee line for whatever reason. If you purchased the boat and unloaded the motor and hung a couple of 150/200's it would be a great setup. I thought about it but couldn't tow it with my present vehicle. I asked the dealer for some performance numbers but they could only estimate. Not a selling point!
There is a 24 with a 225 Merc/Yami 4 stroke for sale in VA Beach (new). I looked at it repeatedly before deciding on the 22 with a F250 Yamaha. I'm reasonably sure it is underpowered with the transom deadrise the boat has. The dealer is firm on the package though. They dropped the McKee line for whatever reason. If you purchased the boat and unloaded the motor and hung a couple of 150/200's it would be a great setup. I thought about it but couldn't tow it with my present vehicle. I asked the dealer for some performance numbers but they could only estimate. Not a selling point!
Chas
Chas,
I talked to that dealer in VA when I was shopping and if that is the same boat it is a new 2004 model. They wouldnt budge on the price either. I feel that anybody that bought a F24 w/225 motor would be extremely disappointed in that combo. IMHO, that is the main reason that the boat is still sitting on their lot.
The 22F may be only a few hundred pounds lighter, but the reduction of weight is in the right places to keep that hull's performance at a maximum with single power. sometimes its by mistake, and sometimes its engineered, but when a motor and hull combination 'click', you really know it. it seems the 22F with the 250 single is one of those combos.
of course, these are just my opinions, and only based on what we have experienced ourselves and gathered from talking to other actual owners.
Drew,
You are extremely observant I think your opinions on the F24 are right on the money. Also, the F22 w/250hp is a great combo. When we took my new F22 out to slay fish 10 days ago, we had 3 people onboard (700 lbs) plus a full tank of gas (120gal x 6lbs = 720lbs), so we had 1500 lbs onboard including gear. The boat ran great but did not plane as fast as I would have liked it (understandably so with all of the extra weight), but still ran like a BOOH once we got her up on plane. I will now run it with alot less gas in the gas as I only go out maybe 5 or 6 miles out of St Lucie inlet. I just absolutely love the new Freedom line and I think Mckee Craft has a real winner on their hands.
Thanks you guys- really helpful... Looks like I may not get the financing anyhow, which is very unfortunate as I had already left a deposit for the boat.... I am a charter captain, and the dealer only does recreational financing so I will not get the boat in time for my high season.... was really looking forward to it. BTW 50 mph is more than fast enough for me on any day!!!!!!!!!!!
looks like we might be 'in your neighborhood', come mid november. rumor has it the SKA nationals will be in ft. pierce this year since biloxi has been nearly wiped out. dad lives in vero, so we will probably stay with him for the week. as time grows nearer, i'll shoot you a PM and maybe we can trade boats for a couple of hours one day. you know, just to see how the other half lives.
looks like we might be 'in your neighborhood', come mid november. rumor has it the SKA nationals will be in ft. pierce this year since biloxi has been nearly wiped out. dad lives in vero, so we will probably stay with him for the week. as time grows nearer, i'll shoot you a PM and maybe we can trade boats for a couple of hours one day. you know, just to see how the other half lives.
drew
Drew,
Please do get in touch with me if you come down. I would love to meet you and your crew! Would also love to check out your fine SKA mobile.
Freedom 24 with Single 250 Suzuki?????????? 
) i really think that would not do justice to what we consider the pinnacle of the 23/24 CCs produced today.
I think your opinions on the F24 are right on the money. Also, the F22 w/250hp is a great combo. When we took my new F22 out to slay fish 10 days ago, we had 3 people onboard (700 lbs) plus a full tank of gas (120gal x 6lbs = 720lbs), so we had 1500 lbs onboard including gear. The boat ran great but did not plane as fast as I would have liked it (understandably so with all of the extra weight), but still ran like a BOOH once we got her up on plane. I will now run it with alot less gas in the gas as I only go out maybe 5 or 6 miles out of St Lucie inlet. I just absolutely love the new Freedom line and I think Mckee Craft has a real winner on their hands. 
