» 1988 Lionmar (Center Console)
Boat Information
| Owner | Jack Hexter |
| Boat Type | Center Console |
| Manufacturer and Model | Lionmar |
| Year | 1988 |
| Length | 23-3 feet |
| Hull | Fiberglass |
| Fuel Type | Gas |
| Engines | 2 |
Additional Information / Boat Review:
Engine Manufacturer, Model, and Horsepower Rating:
1996 Saltwater Series Yamahas, 200 HP
What do you like and dislike about the engine(s)?
Very reliable. Parts are expensive. The starboard engine tends to pick up floating grass when it's heavy. This causes it to overheat. A couple seconds in reverse to clear the intake and about 5 minutes to cool down solves teh problem
What type trailer do you have and what do you like and dislike about it?
South Florida Trailer. A drive on. It has center bunks and is extremely easy to load the boat. Put the bow in the center bunks and the boat self centers itself. Straighten the engines and drive it up. It comes up the same way and place every time.
Is this boat trailerable and if so what type vehicle, at minimum, would you recommend to adequately pull this rig?
The rig weigh's 8000#. I pull it with an Excursion. Used to pull it with a Suburban. Minimum would be an Expedition.
How much fuel does the boat hold and what is its approximate range?
2
Describe the ride and handling in moderate chop and in rough water:
The weight of the boat, coupled with a 24* deadrise makes a moderate chop a breeze. 3000 RPM produces 25 MPH and a comfortable ride. 3500 RPM on smooth water produces 30 MPH cruise. Top end is 52 with a half load of fuel and only me in the boat, trimmed out. I've been caught in some storms and had to run thru 6' - 10' seas but the high gunnels have prevented any green water from ever getting in the boat.
If applicable, what type of fishing would you say this rig is best suited for and why?
I've fished this boat in South Florida and the Keys, the Western Bahamas and the Gulf off Hudson and Port Richey. It's ideally suited for any offshore work from live baiting sailfish and kingfish, trolling for dolphin and wahoo, grouper digging or deep jigging on the reef.
Describe the layout of the boat including storage, live wells, lockers and so on:
Large access to a large anchor storage area which is thru a vertical bulkhead. I carry 600' of rode in this locker, plus an anchor ball and a Fortress Anchor with 10' of 3/8 chain. There are two large semi dry storage areas in the raised front deck with enough room to store extra anchors, lines, cast nets, marker bouys, oil, drift socks and buckets. Between the raised forward deck and the center console is a large below deck insulated fish box which is not used often as it drains into the bilge. I carry a 120 Igloo on top of this area for fish. There are large storage areas below deck on each side of the console. The areas are narrow with only a 13" wide hatch, but are 8' long, great for storing dive gear, downriggers, wash down hoses etc. There is also 2 small storage areas in the transom, ideal for storing gloves, balloons, rubber bands, first aid kit, sun block, dock lines, etc. The 20 gallon live well is located in the top half of the leaning post with a tackle locker in the bottom half. If I'm going with an exceptional quantity of bait, I have a large oval tank which I sit in front of the transom. I fill it with my washdown pump and drain it overboard with a fitting and hoses in the transom. There is a large hatch between the transom and leaning post for easy access into the bilge. The center console is large for dry storage. It has an insulated seat for drinks and lunch. The top half of the front of the console folds open for access, as well as doors to the rear of the console. The sides of the console hold 12 verticle rod racks which are tilted out so the T-Top does not interfere with verticle rod storage. The top of the T-Top sports Lee T-Top outriggers and a search light which is controlled via a joy stick on the console. It also has an electronics box which contains all electronics except my primary GPS. Starboard side of console is fresh water washdown (40 gallons) and an EPIRB. Gaffs are stored on transom bulkhead. Horizontal rod storage on each side of the gunnel holds 4 rods and there are 4 rod holders on the rear edge of the T-Top as well as a spreader light.
How has the rig held up over time?
Boat has some minor gelcoat cracks in drain channels where gunnels, bulkhead and deck meet. It also had some minor gelcoat dings from where the boat was banged around during Hurricane Andrew. Gelcoat is starting to haze and needs polish a couple of times a year. The boat came with twin 140 Seadrives which I replaced in 1999 with a Stainless Marine Bracket and the twin 1996 200 Yams
What are some things that you find exceptional about this boat?
The storage on this boat is then most you will find on a 23' The high gunnels and weight make it a very smooth and dry and safe ride.
What are some things you do not like about this boat?
The only thing I wold change is the fish box draining into the bilge. TO change this would take a maserator pump to pump the fish box out and IMHO, not worth the hassel of the moderation. Just as easy to use the Igloo on top of it until I get it too full or catch a fish too big for the 120, which is rare. Boat came with an anchor winch which I do not use because I find an anchor ball faster and just as easy.
Do you know of another manufacturer that makes this same boat under a different name?
This boat was last built in 1988. Bluewater currently makes a similar boat
Would you buy this boat again or recommend it to a friend?
Yes
What would you say this boat is worth in its current condition?
30,000 - 35,000
What other boat would you have bought for roughly the same money if you had it to do over again and why?
Contender for a lot more $, SeaVee, Whitewater, an old Potter built SeaCraft.
Add any other details or comments you think people should know about this boat if they are considering buying one like it:
Keep up the maintenance
Owner: Jack Hexter [Profile] [View Dock]
Color:
Times Viewed: 920
Last Viewed: 6:06 PM 11/17/2009
Last Updated: 12:32 AM 6/5/2004
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