Viper Coral ????

[Drakecaller]

Looking into a used 20ft. fish and ski, The Viper Coral seems to fit the ticket. By far the stylish and best looking F/S boat for the years 96?through >?. And whitin my budget... 60K for a new F/S ????

Couple questions for the Coral guys here, any info thanks.

*Years of the 202? any changes after 2K? What was last year of Production?
*How much tackle storage?
*sea star stearing optional? What years ?
*Any advise on what to look for ? Besides the obvious # of hours, wear and tear and cosmetic stuff.

Thanks, Tim (soon to become a Viper Owner)

[AlanW]

Tim,
If there is specific Coral you are looking at, it would help to know what model year it is. There are not many for sale anymore.

The Viper Boats, Inc. production years ran from 1995 through 2003, but they might not have started building Corals until 1996. I used to have the exact figures on how many were made, I think only about 250 to 275 Coral Model 202 boats were ever made. Most are between 1998 and 2002 models.

I believe all the Coral 202s came with Sea Star Hydrualic Steering as standard equipment. I have never seen one without it. The boat has a lot of storage in general, but no specific tackle storage made to hold the plastic boxes like on newer bass boats.

Somewhere along or before the 2000 models, they made a change in the rear seat. They went from a center seat section with 2 removable fishing seats on each side arrangement, to a big one-piece sofa-like seat that has a huge storage compartment under it.

Some year models (1999 & 2000, I think) may be affected by a Gel-Coat problem where the white gel turned cloudy or had spots that bubbled up. I know my 2000 model Coral 191 (one of 76 ever made) is one that was affected, but it only has a few small places below the rub rail where the white gel bubbled and left little pits, but I only notice it when I'm waxing down there.

The main complaint I hear about & can see about them, the cockpit area is kind of narrow compared to other wider-bodied F&S boats out there, and the front seat area behind the consoles is kind of tight. This may not be a comfortable boat for real big-bodied people. However, it runs like a scalded dog and turns like a sports car, which those big, wide, and deep Fish & Ski boats WON'T. !!!!!

If top performance is priority, look for one with a 225 EFI on it, as opposed to a 200 motor.

[Drakecaller]

Thanks Alan,


Looking at a 99 202 with a 225 EFI.
Also a 2000 202 with a 225 Opti Max
And a 01 202 with a 200 EFI

The '99 has only 64 hrs on it and is in decent shape.

The 2000 has 280 hrs on it and is a little abused plus the owneer drilled a bunch of holes in it for some snap rings for a full canopy.

havn't seen the 01 yet.

Do Corals have a 3 battery system (one cranking and Two Trolling)

[Backlash Ar]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Drakecaller &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">... Do Corals have a 3 battery system (one cranking and Two Trolling) </TD></TR></TABLE>

Yes, and as standard equipment it came with a 3 bank 30 amp on-board charging system (10 amps per bank).

[AlanW]

I thought they all came with a 12/24 TM with just a 2 battery setup where the cranking battery doubled for the TM also. Also didn't think the Corals came with the chargers in them...but if Larry sez they did, they probably did. My smaller one came with 2 batteries and no charging systems.

You can, however, rearrange the battery and oil tank locations and squeeze a third battery in there. On my smaller model, I have to use all small Group 24 size
batteries to get 3 in, but on the 202s, I think you can squeeze in 2 Group 30s + a Group 24 cranker.

Of the 3 you listed, assumming all the motors are in good shape, the 99 w/ 225 EFI will be the strongest performer by a little over the 225 Opti, but the 225 EFI sucks gas like crazy. It is very reliable compared to some years of Opti Maxes.
The 225 Opti will obviously give the best gas mileage.
The 01 with the 200 will be a little under-powered, which will end up bothering you and making you wish you had the 225

[Backlash Ar]

Alan, you may be right. I took the info from the 2002 brochure I still have.

[AlanW]

And I have certainly been wrong before.....
But it seems like that question has been asked several times by Coral people, and most people have the bigger 202 model......but either way it came, you can cram 3 batteries into one

[GatorViper]

My '99 Coral 202 w/225EFI came with 2 group 30's for trolling and 1 group 24 for cranking. It also came with a Dual Pro 30A charging system. The batteries are stuffed into the compartment but they do fit.

[cutter_33]

Tim,
I have a 2002 Coral 202 and the boat is perfect for me and the family.
-Plenty of storage space, eight 6 1/2 foot rods fit in one of the front compartments.
-I use the other front compartment for the tackle.
-The storage area under the bench seat is perfect for life jackets and rain gear.
-The rear area has two large compartments that can be used for dry storage or have drains and can be used as coolers.
-My boat came with the three battery set-up.
-I have a 225 Optimax and the boat will do 71.2 MPH with just me and the boat loaded for fishing.

This is the best boat out there for me, I wouldn't trade it for any other fish and ski, it runs like a bass boat with a full windscreen. I hope the information helps.

Cutter

[Drakecaller]

Hey guys,


Thanks for the replies.

Is there a big differance between the 200 EFI and the 225 EFI? Economy ( who cares) vs. Performance ( I friggen care!!!)

Rod Locker lengths?

Any modifications to make more of a FISH and Less of a SKI? Cuz I could tug the kids around in a Bass boat just as well but the ole wifey poo likes the extra seating.

In my opinion the Coral is the best designed F/S out there. Especially for a boat that is over 10 years old. Ranger, Champion, ProCraft and Triton have nothing on the Viper designs. The only thing close is a Ledgend??? Too bad that they are not around anymore.

I just have to decide on the balance between 225 EFI, really low hours, not so cool color vs. 200 EFI little more hours and good color. I'm real close to pulling the trigger. I might just go bad color (it could be ugly fast) And either way Its a Win Win. Plus its a buyers market for sure .....

[AlanW]

Just about everyone who has one really likes them, and your right, nobody else has or is making anything like them.

I would say, on the 2 motors, there will be a significate difference in performance between the 2.5 liter 200 EFI and 3.0 liter 225 EFI on a 20' boat. With a jackplate, good prop & setup, and light load, the 225 efi 202 will run lower 70s, cause I v'e got a friend who has one. A 202 with 200 EFI most likey would top out in the mid-60s. (now watch-some Coral owner who has not responded to any other part of this thread will immediately post he has a 200 EFI 202 that goes 70... )

And the 225EFI is no doubt a gas hog, but the smaller block 200 EFI will have to work harder for the same speed, so that would negate some of the economy advantage the 200 EFI would seemingly have.

[waterjunkie]

I just happen to own the last 202 Coral ever made. It was produced in 2004 under the Venom brand. I love it... although I don't get to use it enough for a number of "temporary" reasons. My Coral has a 2 bank 24V charger for the trolling batteries. I believe the cranking battery charges via the engine alternator. The steering is Sea Star and I believe it was standard as is the 4" manual Slidemaster jack plate. Great boat... lots of positive comments when I have it on the water

[bassin_dan]

I have a 202 w/ 200 EFI - runs in the low to mid 60's depending on load and air temp/humidity. I made and installed a front deck extension and I modified the windshield braces to make it more fishable from the back. I also built rod storage for one of the front lockers - holds 14 rods and 6 or 7 can be 7 footers - 1 or 2 can be 7 1/2 foot. Absolutely love it and wouldn't trade it for anything.

[Drakecaller]

OK guys I got a 201 Coral '98 with the 225 EFI with 64 hrs on it. Took it out and got it a little fishy. Awsome boat!

* It has a two battery system and that has to get fixed. Any pictures of some three battery set ups? Smaller Oil Resivior?

* Prop ? What are some of your prop set ups? Small hub ok ?

* Are the side plexi windows replaceable? Any leads ?

Thanks for all the previous replies ... I'll post a picture as soon as I can get her a little more cleaned up. The original owner quit the TLC about two years ago...Damn!

Tim

[bassin_dan]

Drakecaller - send me your email address and I will send some pics or my windshield mod., rod storage, and battery modification and configuration so you can get in 2 group 30's and 1 group 24. Mine came with 3 group 24's. I'm running a 23 pitch Trophy Plus - great hole shot, handling, and bow lift, but a little slower than a Tempest. DRFOX@MHTC.NET