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Dusky 252 Open Fisherman (2016-)
1 x 300-hp Evinrude E-TEC G2
Price
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Brief Summary
By keeping extras to a minimum, Dusky can sell the 252 Open Fisherman at one of the lowest prices of any CC in this LOA: she goes for about $52,000 with a single Evinrude E-TEC G2 300 HP. She includes the "Dusky Drive" System, an extended motor bracket that allows the boat to have a full-height transom like an inboard, thus improving her performance. Placing the motor several feet aft of the transom also has the effect of increasing the LOA for a smoother ride in bumpy seas. The mount also functions as an extended swim platform for diving or handling large fish.
Key Features
- Hand-laminated F.G. hull
- Dusky drive with integrated swim/dive platform
- Hydraulic Steering
- Twin pedestal chairs
- Instrument panel with rocker switches and circuit breakers
- Console cushions
- Twin pedestal chairs
- Pair stainless steel rod holders
Test Results
RPM | MPH | Knots | GPH | MPG | NMPG | STAT. MILE | NM | dBa |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
500 | 2.7 | 2.3 | 0.3 | 9 | 7.83 | 810 | 704 | 81 |
1000 | 5.4 | 4.7 | 0.7 | 7.71 | 6.71 | 694 | 604 | 79 |
1500 | 7.2 | 6.2 | 1.5 | 4.77 | 4.14 | 429 | 373 | 81 |
2000 | 8.8 | 7.6 | 4.05 | 2.16 | 1.88 | 194 | 169 | 82 |
2500 | 12 | 10.4 | 5.85 | 2.04 | 1.78 | 184 | 160 | 80 |
3000 | 18.7 | 16.2 | 6.25 | 2.98 | 2.59 | 269 | 234 | 83 |
3500 | 27.6 | 24 | 7.95 | 3.47 | 3.01 | 312 | 271 | 88 |
4000 | 33.5 | 29.1 | 10.55 | 3.18 | 2.76 | 286 | 249 | 90 |
4500 | 37 | 32.2 | 13.65 | 2.71 | 2.36 | 244 | 212 | 91 |
5000 | 42.1 | 36.6 | 18.45 | 2.28 | 1.98 | 205 | 178 | 96 |
5301 | 43.9 | 38.1 | 24.15 | 1.82 | 1.58 | 163 | 142 | 97 |
Specifications
Length Overall | 25' 2'' / 7.67 m |
---|---|
Beam |
8' 5'' 2.56 m |
Dry Weight |
3,700 lbs. 1,678 kg |
Tested Weight |
4,665 lbs. 2,116 kg |
Draft |
13'' 0.33 m |
Deadrise/Transom | 20-deg. |
Max Headroom | open |
Bridge Clearance | N/A |
Fuel Capacity |
100 gal. 378 L |
Water Capacity | N/A |
Total Weight |
4,665 lbs. 2,116 kg |
Acceleration Times & Conditions
Time to Plane | 4.6 sec. |
---|---|
0 to 30 | 7.5 sec. |
Ratio | 1.85:1 |
Props | Rebel 15 1/4 x 19 ss 3-blade |
Load | 3 persons, 3/5 fuel, no water, 50 lbs. of gear |
Climate | 72 deg., 65 humid.; wind: 0-5 mph; seas: 1'-2' |
Engine Options
Tested Engine |
1 x 300-hp Evinrude E-TEC G2 |
---|---|
Std. Power |
Not Available |
Opt. Power |
10 Mercury single and twin engines from 90-hp to 350-hp 10 Suzuki single and twin engines engines from 115-hp to 300-hp 12 Evinrude single and twin engines from 90-hp to 300-hp |
Captain's Report
Mission Statement
Dusky designed the 252 Open Fisherman as a center console for serious fishermen who want an affordable boat in a package that can still be trailered with a half-ton pickup or SUV.
Powered by an Evinrude E-TEC G2 300 HP outboard, the boat is one of the most fuel-efficient in her class and she comes with a basic standard equipment list to help keep the initial price lower.
Features Inspection
Dusky Drive.
Dusky was one of the first manufacturers to build its own outboard mounting bracket in the 1970s. The fiberglass structure supports single or twin motors and positions them 32” aft of the boat’s transom. Positioning the motor(s) farther aft gives them better trim influence, which enhances efficiency and improves overall performance. For fishing or diving, the bracket provides a nonskid walking surface between the boat’s transom and the motors and Dusky offers a number of boarding ladders as options.
The Cockpit.
Moving into the 252 Offshore Fisherman’s cockpit is as easy as stepping over the transom. The boat can be equipped with an optional aft bench seat that folds out of the way for fishing and a removable backrest. In the aft corners of the cockpit, the boat has small lockers with nonskid finish on the hatches. They can be removed if an owner doesn’t want that them. There are two large drains for the self-bailing cockpit and a hatch in the center of the sole opens to provide access to pumps and other equipment.
Leaning Post Choices.
Dusky offers a number of leaning post options on the 252 Open Fisherman and all of them provide space for the captain and a companion. The basic version is built on an aluminum frame and has a bottom cushion that users can lean against or sit on. A backrest is available for more comfortable seated travel. An owner can opt for a version with rocket launcher rod holders and a cooler, another with a livewell or a third with tackle storage.
The Helm.
Forward of the leaning post, the 252 Open Fisherman’s dash can be configured cleanly for single or twin outboards with space for a variety of electronics and storage options. The steering wheel is centrally positioned with the binnacle-style engine controls to starboard. To make the helm more comfortable for two people, Dusky might consider positioning the wheel to port with the controls in the center. The boat comes standard with analog engine gauges and rocker style switches with circuit breakers for the accessories. The windshield and custom rail that frames it are also standard.
The Console.
Working forward from the helm, there are rod racks in the gunwales on each side. In the port side of the console, a hatch provides access to storage, the batteries in trays and the helm rigging. The area also has enough space for a portable toilet. On the front, there’s a bench seat with storage in the base. Owners can opt to move the livewell from the leaning post to this compartment or have it insulated as a fishbox.
The Bow.
As the 252 Open Fisherman’s deck runs forward to the bow, it rises slightly to provide 33 1/2” (85.1 cm) of depth to enhance passenger security when running to the fishing grounds. It also puts the coaming panels at a comfortable height to lean against when fishing. Cushions that snap in place on each side are available options.
Bow Storage Space.
Storage in the 252 Open Fisherman’s bow includes two insulated boxes for the day’s catch on each side plus a forward compartment that has good capacity. In the foredeck, there’s an anchor locker that has plenty of space for grounding tackle and a rode.
Construction.
Dusky has been around since the 1970s. The 252 Open Fisherman is laid up with a solid fiberglass bottom and stringers cored with marine plywood encapsulated in fiberglass are individually bonded into the hull. The transom is poured resin about 1” thick and the hull-to-deck joint is fiberglassed together around the boat’s perimeter.
Evinrude E-TEC G2 300 HP Engine
The Evinrude E-TEC G2 300 HP is probably the most technically advanced outboard engine on the market in class. In a nutshell, this 3.4 L engine provides 4-stroke fuel economy at cruising speeds with 2-stroke torque at the low and mid RPM ranges. Its strongest suit, however, is its low-maintenance design which integrates this steering and gear shifting into the body of the engine with no external rods or cylinders. Scheduled maintenance isn’t required for 5 years or 500 hours.
The E-TEC G2 has an internal oil reservoir, an 81-degree tilt range, and has auto-winterization. Its beltless magneto system is more reliable than the automobile-type alternators used on most other outboards. The engine was designed from the beginning to be saltwater-ready and carries a 5-year factory backed warranty which includes corrosion.
Power and Performance
Dusky offers the 252 Open Fisherman in twin or single-engine applications up to 350-hp total. We tested the boat with a single Evinrude E-TEC G2 300 HP two-stroke outboard turning a Rebel 15 ¼” x 19” three-blade stainless steel propeller through a 1.85:1 reduction.
With the boat at an as-tested weight of 4,665 pounds, we hit a top speed of 43.9 mph at 5300 rpm and burned 24.15 gph, giving the boat a range of 163 statute miles.
Best cruise
was at 3500 rpm, where we ran 27.6 mph and burned 7.95 gph, giving the boat a range of 312 statute miles with 10% of the boat’s 100-gallon (378 L) fuel capacity in reserve.
In acceleration tests
, the 252 Open Fisherman planed in 4.6 seconds and ran to 20 mph in 5.3 seconds and to 30 mph in 7.5 seconds.
Handling
With her 50-degree entry and 20-degrees of deadrise at the transom, the 252 Open Fisherman knifed through 2’ chop with ease. When we plowed through the wakes of a large cruiser in a crowded waterway, the flared raised bow kept the forward seating area dry. In turns, the boat felt nimble and sure-footed thanks to two strakes per side that run full length and turned-down chines that helped her hold a steady line through turns.
Base Price
$52,200 with a single Evinrude E-TEC G2 300 HP outboard.
Available Options and Price
Observations
With her heavy construction and deep-V bottom design, the Dusky 252 Open Fisherman provides an affordable basic boat for a fisherman.
The single Evinrude E-TEC G2 300 HP outboard gives the boat good all-around performance and fuel economy and with its first service interval at 5 years or 500 hours, most owners will have years of operating the motor before its first tuneup.
Dusky sells factory-direct from its Dania Beach, Florida facility. It has no dealers and no factory commission sales people. This is the strong suite of Dusky – a basic bare-bones boat without mark-ups for dealers, marketing and sales. And we suspect like everything else, its overhead is low as well.