Crownline 250CR 'eLJay'

[Matt13]

This is my second boat and it is a 26ft 2008 Crownline 250CR with Mercruiser 350 Mag on a Bravo 3. She has only done 60 hours. An electric windlass which im sure I will find handy. Normal setup in terms of cabin for american boat of this size however it was the cockpit that was the deciding factor when buying this boat. Double helm seat which swivels 180 degrees towards the 3 seater bench which converts into a full sunpad. Also a chaise lounge type seat adjacent to the helm seat which faces aft. A very sociable layout.
More pics will follow at the moment ive got a few jobs to do before I take it out for its first blast.


Cabin shot

I was really impressed with the condition of the engine when I first viewed the boat, looks brand new




messing about with a photo app

Name on transom

Video of her arriving at her new berth at Saxon Wharf

[Torque of the Devil]

She is absolutely beautiful Matt! I bought a Regal 1800 (2nd hand) this year and aspire to owning a Crownline like your's when I've grown out of it and have the money! I've always loved the shape of Crownlines, they are the sort of boat that I can sit and look at for hours. Such a beautiful shape and lines etc... I bet you can't wait to take her out on your maiden voyage! Are you plannning to between now and next Spring? Mine's just been winterised so my weekends are less fun to look forward to now All the best and happy boating!

[Matt13]

Thanks very much I am really chuffed with it. Definately want to take it out for a couple of trips before I winterise though but as it's that bit bigger I won't be going out singlehanded until I'm more confident with how it handles. I notice from your other posts your boat is at hamble point so may see you around the Solent!

[Matt13]

edited to include more photos /\

[JORIDAPILOT]

edited to include more photos /\

Engine looks imacuate Matt, can't have done many hours. Nice and clean inside.
How did they let the leg so mucky.
I had a similar problem when I bought Jorida.
The 1st owner used the boat for 2 years and then succombed to illness and it just sat in the water unused for a year.
I am hoping to get down to Saxon this weekend and have a look at eLJay.

[Torque of the Devil]

I feel utterly sick with envy Matt! I'll be drooling BIG TIME when I see you in the Solent next year Thanks for sending in more pics, that engine is gleaming!

[jokaboat]

I feel utterly sick with envy Matt! I'll be drooling BIG TIME when I see you in the Solent next year Thanks for sending in more pics, that engine is gleaming!

You (and the rest of us) will just have to get the polish out and get up to spec Otherwise Matt will not talk to us

[Matt13]

I feel utterly sick with envy Matt! I'll be drooling BIG TIME when I see you in the Solent next year Thanks for sending in more pics, that engine is gleaming!

You (and the rest of us) will just have to get the polish out and get up to spec Otherwise Matt will not talk to us

I can't take any credit for the gleaming engine I've just got to try and keep it like that!

[Torque of the Devil]

Matt, just out of interest- what sort of average fuel consumption would you expect to get out of 'eLJay', and what is the tank capacity for a boat of her size? If I'm ever going to work up the ladder and own a boat like your's I'll be keen to know how often I'll be tied to the fuel barge! I only have a 3.0l but having gone from a 60hp outboard on my previous boat I've certainly noticed the difference in thirst. I wish I'd opted for a 4.3l but I like to try and prevent regret by telling myself that it would have cost more in fuel, my girlfriend usually slaps me round the chops when I go too fast, I don't tow toys, and more often than not it's too choppy in the Solent to go too quickly in a boat the size of mine without it being uncomfortable (if you're a girl). I guess when you have a 26ft boat you wouldn't really notice much discomfort at aroung 30 knots in a S/W force 3-4? I think if I were in your shoes I'd be busy spending the winter months planning my first 2012 trip away in her! Taking a passage down to St Mawes/Falmouth areas of Cornwall for a week would be right at the top of my list. Paradise!

[markanddawn]

I guess when you have a 26ft boat you wouldn't really notice much discomfort at aroung 30 knots in a S/W force 3-4?

Don't be fooled with that idea, like I was (24' Maxum Sports Cuddy). The ride is drier but can still slam heavily. It is all about reading the waves rather than increasing boat size.

[Matt13]

Matt, just out of interest- what sort of average fuel consumption would you expect to get out of 'eLJay', and what is the tank capacity for a boat of her size? If I'm ever going to work up the ladder and own a boat like your's I'll be keen to know how often I'll be tied to the fuel barge! I only have a 3.0l but having gone from a 60hp outboard on my previous boat I've certainly noticed the difference in thirst. I wish I'd opted for a 4.3l but I like to try and prevent regret by telling myself that it would have cost more in fuel, my girlfriend usually slaps me round the chops when I go too fast, I don't tow toys, and more often than not it's too choppy in the Solent to go too quickly in a boat the size of mine without it being uncomfortable (if you're a girl). I guess when you have a 26ft boat you wouldn't really notice much discomfort at aroung 30 knots in a S/W force 3-4? I think if I were in your shoes I'd be busy spending the winter months planning my first 2012 trip away in her! Taking a passage down to St Mawes/Falmouth areas of Cornwall for a week would be right at the top of my list. Paradise!

Regarding fuel, baasboat1 dug up some info in another thread here http://www.sportsboat.co.uk/forum/index ... =viewtopic where he says the fuel consumption at cruise is about 12gph or 24gph at WOT. I think I only had WOT once on my Karnic and that was the Round the Isle Of Wight trip so I doubt I will be doing it much in the Crownline. The equivalant boat in its diesel form is currently for sale at £20,000 more than what I paid for mine so for me it was a no brainer. I am fearing the worst though when it comes to fuel, I dont really want to be filling up nearly every trip but thats the choice I made! One good thing is that I am an MDL Outlook member I get fuel 'at cost'.

Boat test did a comparison here of the 5.0l Mercruiser and the 350 Mag, not a lot of difference except in acceleration.

http://www.boattest.com/resources/view_ ... ewsid=4354

Incidentally I hear quite a bit that single engined sports cruisers around 25ft are the most difficult boat to handle at slow speeds so im sure im in for a bit of a steep learning curve, all part of the fun

[Gazjen]

Well the handling of my 25ft is far better than my ex 19ft Maxum so you may be surprised its a lot more predictable at slow speed

[JORIDAPILOT]

Incidentally I hear quite a bit that single engined sports cruisers around 25ft are the most difficult boat to handle at slow speeds so im sure im in for a bit of a steep learning curve, all part of the fun

Practice makes perfect Matt, a lot of practice.
Single sterndrives with no bowthruster are a pig whatever. Your new boat will pick up more wind and more tide than the Karnic and so you have more to think about when docking.
I also have to deal with a wandering bow which never stays pointing in the right direction for longer than a few seconds. Once on the plane it is fine but going up and down the Itchen or the Hamble it is a matter of constant correction, but you get used to it. I will be interested to see how your boat handles at slow speed, what do you recall from your sea trial?

[JORIDAPILOT]

Matt
Are you going to change your avatar piccy now or is it your only memory of 'Little Rascal'.

I had a quick look at eLJay yesterday when I was down for a few chores, looks good from what I could see at ground level. A bit of work to do on the leg but I am sure it will come up like new.

[markanddawn]

[quote="Matt13
Incidentally I hear quite a bit that single engined sports cruisers around 25ft are the most difficult boat to handle at slow speeds so im sure im in for a bit of a steep learning curve, all part of the fun [/quote]

It is a strange sensation (or actually it is more annoying than strange), that my boat at slow displacement speed will wander and not track a true course. Having got used to this (i believe it to be the paddle wheel effect???), if I can resist constantly correcting the course, it seems to correct itself. That is, it will steer to starboard for a few yards then pull back to port, then to starboard and so on - the effect is that the boat is maintaining a course albeit with a slight zig zag.

Regarding mooring, I don't find manoevering a challenge at all, except the higher freeboard and awkwardness of reaching to tie off.

If I am single or short handed (not sure if this is good practice but it works).

Come in to pontoon as slow as possible and tie off the aft mooring line as I pass or near the pontoon's cleat, then return to the helm and put back in to forward gear (no RPM just engage forward). The boat will pull itself gently against the secured mooring line, bringing the bow in. I then step off the boat, while still engaged in forward and secure the bow line before finally selecting neutral, switching off and adjusting my lines accordingly at my leisure.

In an ideal world, you would have someone ready to catch your lines forward and aft but that is a rare novelty.

I'm sure you will be fine