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Random Quote: Dad, is there a depth finder on this boat? Why is the water tan?
Does the factory rig these boat with a single? Obviously the 300Zuki would be ideal for Single motivation, but just wondering if anyone has put a single 250 on one of these boats and what was the performance like if/when it was done? There are heavier boats out there running them, so why not this one?
Supposedly the 250 will push the boat but I have yet to see this setup. THere is a Mckee 24 rigged with a 300HPDI that sat on a dealers lot for quite some time. For me, the only way I would get the 24 with a single is the 300 suzuki. Once you have ridden this boat with twins that is what you will want.
I have a 22 with the 250 etec and it performs well but not overpowered. Heck, Iwouldnt mind putting the 300 suzuki on mine.
I'd say it depends on your intended use and how long you plan on keeping it. The market is smaller for the 24 powered with a single because it's directed at serious offshore fishing. IMO buyers would be looking for twins. The 300 Suzuki would be tempting with the advantage on maintenance, weight, and economy but it is still relatively new and untested.
I faced the same dilema a few months ago. The 24 with twin F150's sold 3 days before I could get to it. There was a new 2004 24 with single 300HPDI that was sitll for sale in March 06!
I guess my intention would be to get the bigger boat, without so much of an added cost. I was looking to see how much slower the 2' longer 24 would be, the weight is about 300 pounds difference in the hull, so if you could order with a single for not that much more money, then it would seem to be a good idea if all you gave up was 2-3 MPH and got the bigger boat benefits. Adding the duals not only increases initial cost, but also maintance, weight, more to go wrong, etc... Now I'd love to go buy a 23TE with twin 175 Zuki's on the back, but I am sure it would be a hell of a lot cheaper with a single 250. Just wondering the cost difference between a 22 single and a 23/24 single and then the performance difference. I would think that it would be like running a 22 with a 225, but that is not based on anything but an educated guess based on the weight difference.
Someone thats posted on here before has the 24 setup with a single 250. Best I recall, he was getting mid 40's+ @WOT but I don't remember what his cruise rpm/mph was. I ran one with twin 140's and 45ish was max, with cruise around 32 or so. Personally, I think the 300 Zuke would be a great setup if you wanted to stay with a single and still have some pretty strong performance.
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2005 McKee 23 TE/FS with 200 Zukes
50 Ton Masters with Towing Endorsement.
I think the DF300 is supposed to be October or similar before shipping. Should be one hella motor! Good lord I want one of those on my boat (dont need it, just want it).
the 300 zuki would be a great option for that boat. she should do high 40's low 50's depending on sea conditions. you will be surprised at the cost on the 300 though. the retail on the engine is 24k and some change.
__________________ beauty may be skin deep, but ugly goes to the bone.
If I went with the 300 Suzuki all I'd do is add a small kicker on a tie bar for added security. It won't get you far but will keep you turned the right way if need be.
What size kicker? We were on a 28' Open/Express (can't remember the mfg.) type boat on Lake Erie salmon fishing. Trolling the entire time and they had a 25HP Yamaha pushing it pretty good. You think that would be a good size on a 24' boat or would you go smaller? I guess a kicker would be a good idea to keep you on course until your tow boat came and got you. Maybe it's too much of a hassle at that point and you might as well go for the twins? I don't know.
I just happen to be working in New York by JFK airport. I was walking down the street yesterday and came across a dealer who has a new 24 Freedom (2004) with a 250 Etec. Old stock obviously but kept in the showroom and clean. He said it had a 7 year warranty on the engine. Looks good and sounds like a decent deal 49.9K. If I hadn't bought my 22' Freedom last Fall I would have seriously considered it.
That is definitely not a bad deal. I would sure want to try running that boat before buying to make sure the power is adequate, but still......not too bad a deal. Now what would be awesome is to move that single 250 to the right just a bit and add a counterrotator. Whooeeeee! 500hp.
does not sound like a bad deal. but its no give a way. its an '04? already 'two years old', so figure a drop in value by, what 20%? there have been a handful of small tweaks since 2004 as well. not a huge deal, but a consideration. i know, i know. i sound negative, but im just playing devils advocate. a 2006 with t/150s is mid 60s. deduct 20% from that and you have $52000. so would that mean a 2004 with twin 150s should cost 52? and this one has a single. so, i say its not a bad deal, but not a give a way, thats all.
Yeah I know. But it is in a high cost area of the country. Point being there probably others in different locales that could be had cheaper. There was a new 24' with a single 225 Yamamerc in my area that was in the mid 40's last year, colored gelcoat, outriggers, etc. They wouldn't repower for me and were standing firm on the package. I see the boat on a lift but haven't seen it on the water yet to "chat" with the owner and see his performance #'s. A 300 anything ought to be adequate I would think.
really, your best bet is to talk to brendan. he's running the crap out of a 24 with a single. if anybody know what the boat will do and wont do with single power, its him.
Dang
Drew I thought mine was worth a mint... ... Still think so, but not for sale. You're right tho, as a single costs 14K - 18K less than twins. No way that 50K would even get close to mine. Not sure the 20% applies when the costs of new should have the increased costs included, but they haven't. Bottom line is that McKee is eating the increased costs for now. Oops, even tho my boat is an '05, the motors are '04. 55K wouldn't touch it.
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2005 McKee 23 TE/FS with 200 Zukes
50 Ton Masters with Towing Endorsement.
libra,
thats good to hear. i hope all the mckee owners feel the same way about the value of their boat. ours will be for sale in, heck, 90 days or so! and i hope the resale value is good, especially with all the toys ours has. i 'hear' the 2007s will see an increase of 15% in price. i think that can be added to the used boats as well, dont you think? if a new boat is more expensive (valuable), then its one year old counterpart should be more valuable, too.
24 Freedom Single Outboard? 
... Still think so, but not for sale. You're right tho, as a single costs 14K - 18K less than twins. No way that 50K would even get close to mine. Not sure the 20% applies when the costs of new should have the increased costs included, but they haven't. Bottom line is that McKee is eating the increased costs for now. Oops, even tho my boat is an '05, the motors are '04. 55K wouldn't touch it. 
