2003 246WA

[Russ]

Someone posted a list of improvements on the 2003 246WA about a month ago but I cannot find it using the search engine. If you see this could you post it again or a lead to the original site? Thanks.

[Lucky Lady]

Improvements over 2002 model 246 WA.

1) Deck
a) Change in deck mold
i) Helm Console
(1) Tilts away for ease of maintenance
(2) Space for flush mounting instruments
(3) Improved instrument/switch cluster
(4) Generally better ergonomics, to the helm, specifically the engine controls and tab switches
(5) More room between wheel and engine box
(6) Drainage coaming forward of console/companionway
(7) Drainage ports along window base
ii) Foredeck
(1) Fwd Cleat recess angle changed so no longer holds water
(2) Slight change to deck mold fwd of center hatch
(a) Provides deeper recess for hatch when closed
(i) Eliminates water getting under gasket when running in heavy seas
iii) Cockpit
(1) Drainage gutters deeper
(2) Fuel tank fills recessed with drainage aft
(a) Prevents spilled fuel from potentially getting into bait/fish box
(3) Inspection port covers added inboard of the new fuel vent location
(a) Ease of inspection
b) Hardware
i) Improved hinges in all lids
ii) Improved chromed bronze (replaced plastic) latches in all lids
2) Hull
a) Improved rudder shape
i) Much sharper leading edge
ii) Rudder stock insert fairing is much better
b) Fuel Tank vents moved forward
i) Allows more fuel capacity
ii) Less potential for overfill thru vents
iii) Keeps fuel away from swim platform bedding
(1) Reduced degradation of bedding compound
c) Strut
i) Bronze backing plate used in place of fender washers
d) Bonding system
i) Trim tabs are now bonded
ii) Rudder arm has wire to include in bonding system
e) Rod Holders have drain tubes routed to the stern
i) Keeps seawater from entering the gunwale and passing through the fuel tank compartments
f) Bait Well
i) LED light
(1) Moved to bottom of tank for better illumination
(2) Drip loop added to wiring
(a) Prevent corrosion to wire and connectors
ii) Separate raw water pumps
(1) Wash down
(2) Bait well
(a) Eliminates that difficult to use remote y-valve selector
(b) Provides redundancy to bait pump
(i) Will require hose swap in event of pump failure
(c) Provides two raw water pumps in event of main engine raw water pump failure off shore.
(3) Diffuser added to inbound water discharge in bait tank
3) Cabin
a) Full liner in cabin
i) Adds storage shelf
ii) Easier to keep clean
iii) Improve insulation of cabin
iv) Quiets ride
v) Adds weight forward/better ride
vi) Strengthens hull
b) Companionway hatch
i) Two gas assist struts
ii) Curved hatch cover
(1) Eliminated water pooling on top of the cover
iii) Hinge on tri-fold door shortened
(1) Eliminates damage to paint of the door frame
(2) Small bumper added for more protection
c) Battery compartment
i) Selector switch and breaker moved to position under nose when hatch is open
(1) Much easier to access and see position/reset breaker
d) Inspection port added in cabin sole
i) Access to new location of fwd bilge pump
ii) Inspection of area
e) Cushions
i) Better looking fabric
ii) Feels like denser foam
4) Engine
a) Crusader 330 HP MPI
i) Freshwater cooled exhaust manifolds
ii) EFI vs. TBI
iii) Improved access to heat exchanger
iv) Exhaust cans are insulated from hull with rubber footings
v) Improved engine mounting/adjustment system
5) Documentation
a) Much improved owners manual
i) All systems very well described
ii) Schematics included on all systems

[Russ]

Lucky Lady:
Thanks for the repost. I thought it was you but could not find it searching in your old posts. That is an impressive list of improvements and starts the wheels turning in my head. The bonding system sounds like all the exposed metals are connected together so a single shaft zinc should protect everything. I am pretty happy with my 219 but more room would be nice.

[Big D]

I sure wish I had some of those changes on my 1996 246 Open !!! They seem to have come a long way towards making a better boat.

[Fish]

Many changes indeed, all good from what we see. But tell me something: Does all those improvements command that boats price tag up to 60k+ $ ??? You and I sure as hell know, that that is NOT the case. It's called greed. American greed. Sorry, no 24 & 1/2 boat is worth 60k+ $ to me. I can't believe that the going price of my boat has risen by over 10k $ in less than 4 years. Somebody else wanna take a stab at that one? You can't possibly tell me that the changes KCS has made to that boat warrant this type of increase in price. While that might help us current owners out a bit, where does it leave the guy who wants a new one? I know a few other straight inboard boat manufacturers that would build you one damn nice boat too for 60k+ $. Is KCS trying to sell boats, or price 75% of us out of the market? And who, pray tell made the decision to stop production of the keel drive boats? That's the freekin CORE of Shamrock's reputation! I can tell you for a fact that that decision was fought tooth & nail by the powers that be in Florida, but over-ruled by the corporate peeps of KCS. You can bet your bottom dollar it wasn't a design engineer, it was a freekin bean counter. What's the rest of us supposed to do that simply don't have that kind of disposable income to spend on a boat? And did I mention that that price tag is for a bare bones boat with no electronics or all the rest of the 1500 dollars you gotta put into the boat before you leave for a SAFE journey with family members onboard? I know that Crusader engine is worth alot more money, but not THAT kind of money. Nice changes, and welcome additions no doubt, but don't price yourself out of the ballgame man. I just can't see that kind of price tag being commanded. That's like Starbucks philosophy. Yeah...charge him 5 dollars for a good cup o' coffee, then have the balls to stick a TIP jar on the counter! Fish

[Lucky Lady]

All right, I am not going to get into an operational debate about keel vs. no keel. I voted with my $ in that contest after I evaluated both keel and SPII hulls prior to purchase.

Here is a link to the dealer that I bought my boat from with some sample prices. Click on the 2003 WA and you will see a well-equipped boat whose asking price is much less than the fabled 60K.

http://www.gulflinermarine.com/december02.htm

Crusader engine upgrade net price was $693. This appears to me to be money well spent in that the manifolds are freshwater cooled and the worry about seawater damage to the exhaust valves is minimized in addition to the 3-year manifold replacement cycle. Not to mention the improved performance and ease of maintenance associated with the Crusader. This was a conscious decision of KCS in terms of performance, serviceability, value, and brand recognition as Crusader has long been recognized as the top marinizer for 3 decades.

See attached Pascoe article on this subject.
http://www.yachtsurvey.com/GasEngines.htm

Outside of the engine, I can tell you that “suggested retail” price of the base boat went up $1600. When you consider that this model contains two additional molds over the 2002 model (helm console and cabin liner), not a bad deal. Throw in all of the other minor changes, and the increase appears to be reasonable to me.

On the bigger issue,
When shopping for my boat last spring, I visited with a boat dealer (whose core business is selling ski boats) in my neighborhood that used to carry Shamrock, but had since dropped the line. I asked why. He said it was all about opportunity costs. They typical ski boat purchaser will come in on Tuesday, put down a 5,000 deposit on a $50,000 ski boat, and pick up the boat on Friday with a check for the balance. His inventory turns on ski boats was brisk. Fishing boat buyers move more slowly. He said that his Shamrock sales often took 6 months from start to close, and resulted in much slower inventory turns, and consequently higher carrying cost of the floor plan. As a result, his pricing on Shamrock was higher (as a percentage of the cost of goods sold) to compensate for the higher inventory carrying costs, and the additional sales staff labor associated with the sale. As he had limited ability to carry inventory, he had to make a choice about what boats to carry in his offering. Bottom line is that we fishermen as a demanding group, create some of our own problems with respect to high boat prices.

In my opinion, from a Marketing perspective, (which is what I believe we are talking about here) up to 2002, Shamrock was in a tough spot for 3 reasons:
1. Their historic production levels, (that were limited by the Cape Coral production facility) of 250-300 boats per year
a. Move to the NC plant solves the production limitation.
2. A very diverse product offering for the volume sold
a. Dropping the low volume keel drive line eliminates 3 models from the mix, (in addition to dropping the 219 open) and eliminates the cannibalism to Shamrocks own product line that is causes.
3. Trying to market nationwide.
a. This results in several low volume dealers in fringe markets, whose boats move slowly, whose carrying costs are high, and their boats are expensive to the point that I would not buy from them either. In fact I did not.
b. The Solution set to the dealer network issue is a bit more difficult, with problems associated with all solutions that I can envision. This is probably why KCS continues on in the current scheme.

As my warranty performance, ability to get technical support, and parts availability depends to a large degree on a healthy and viable KCS, I am pleased that the decision makers are making the tough decisions that will, from what I can tell, ensure their financial and operational heath going forward in a difficult economy, and competitive market.

Just my opinion.
:D

[Russ]

My local dealer tells me that the 260 express will be available again in the fall. As this is a keel boat, is it an exception or is my dealer incorrect? Is there a way we kind find out future plans for changes or elimination of models?

[Logan's Pass]

Lucky Lady,

I am looking at a 2001 246 WA and I am concerned that the engine is a PCM and not a Crusader. I was on a 2003 at the dealership which had a Crusader and I assumed that the 2001 that was coming in had a Crusader. But know I don't think that is the case. :( The engine on the 2001 is a 330hp 5.7li mpi but feel that it isn't the Crusader. After reading the link in your post I wish it was. Please let me know if I'm wrong.

Thanks,
Ed

[L.A. z GATOR]

Hi folks, just thought that I'd chime in here. SeaMaxx, Crusader, PCM (Ski boat engines) are all made by Pleasurecraft Marine. Check out http://www.pleasurecraft.com/. I think the only difference between the SeaMaxx and the Crusader's Captain's Choice is with the cooling system. Otherwise, if you look at the specs, they look identical. Maybe Tim the Engine Man can help with any other differences.

[Logan's Pass]

After visiting the PCM website I noticed that the PCM has a fresh water cooling option. I sure hope that the motor on the boat I'm waiting for has it. The dealer did tell me it was FWC. If anybody can help on this subject that would be great!

[Hav'nfun]

All PCM engines can be had with fresh water cooling. Just make sure order that option.

[Lucky Lady]

Both engines are available with fresh water cooling, just the fresh water cooling systems differ.

The fresh water cooling in the PCM engine cools only the block using seawater to cool the entire exhaust system. Look at the page 61 in the SeaMaxx manual and you will see the raw water flow injected in to the mainfolds.

http://www.seamaxx.com/pdfs/L510011-02.pdf

The Crusader freshwater cooling system includes the mainfolds, and the raw water is injected into the Riser or just before the exhaust hose coupling. This reduces the amount of corrosion produced during operation in the cooling passages of the manifold, extending the time between replacement substantially, and in theory, the potential damage to the exhaust valves from sea water intrusion.

See page 62 of the Crusader manual.
http://www.crusaderengines.com/NewFiles/pdf/Crusader%202003/OwnersManual.pdf


Tim the engine man would be better to comment on the replacement time increase.

[Logan's Pass]

I found out that the engine coming with my boat does have the FWC option which I guess is a good thing. However, I would still like to know about the difference in replacement time. Maybe Tim can shed some light.

Thanks,
Ed