[dave]

i recently picked up a 1984 wellcraft 228 sportsman i/o. it's in great shape. does anyone have any suggestions on ways to improve on saftey and performance in an old boat?

repower, have 2 batteries on board, perco switch, VHF radio on board, carry your cell phone too. consider SeaTow. just got rid of my 87 grady. starter boat. owned for 2.5 yrs. fixed it up nice. sold for more than purchase price. now i have '01 grady after too many upsetting boating days.

Safety: All the above are good suggestions, I'd also check the transom and stringers on that boat for rot, and replace/repair as needed. Also, on a boat of that vintage, go through the powertrain with a fine tooth comb, and check the fuel system (lines, fittings, and the tank itself). Make sure your bilge blowers work, and that all the wiring below descks is up to snuff.

Performance: If the boat doesn't already have them, install a set of trim tabs of the proper size. You're actaully better erring on the large (conservative) side when it comes to tabs. Make sure the boat is properly propped. Assuming your I/O is a V8 mill, you're most efficiant crusing speed is around 3000 RPM (check with the I/O manufacturer and/or a surveyor).

I have a 228 too. '84. This was my first season with it. So far it's been great. Had only one problem:
the fill hose to the gas tank had been quietly rotting away for about the last 20 years, and one day it suddenly gave out and there I was with a bilge full of gas. Not good. Replaced that hose and a couple other hoses that vented the tank (and flushed out the gas in the bilge, of course) and lived to tell about it. Good luck with your boat.