Sea Hunt Ultra 255

fleetfinder

Hey everyone!

I’m considering purchasing a Sea Hunt Ultra 255 and wanted to dive into the nitty-gritty with those who have experience or insights about this particular boat. I heard the hull design plays a huge role in performance and comfort, especially in choppy waters. From what I’ve gathered, the “Truth” is a well-kept secret among boat enthusiasts.

Can anyone share the pros and cons of the 255’s hull design specifically? How does it handle rough waters, and what kind of maintenance should I expect over time? Also, any tips or tricks for optimizing performance or comfort would be totally appreciated! Looking forward to hearing everyone’s thoughts and experiences. Thanks in advance!

P.S. Bonus if you’ve got any fun stories or memorable trips on the Ultra 255! 😊

sternstar

On the Ultra 255, the hull is a moderate-V with a sharp entry, big bow flare, and aggressive reverse chines. That combo is why they feel stable at rest and run dry, but they won’t match a true 24° deep-V when you push into short, steep 2-3’ chop.

Pros

Very predictable handling, quick to plane, efficient with a 250-300.
Dry for the size thanks to flare/chines.
Excellent stability at rest and while drifting.

Cons

Can slap if driven too fast into tight head seas; likes 22-30 kt with some tab.
Mild tendency to porpoise if heavy aft or the motor is set too low/high.
Aft scuppers can wet the deck with a crew aft or a full livewell.

Rough-water technique

Head sea: 20-26 kt, tabs 25-40% down, slight negative engine trim to let the entry work.
Quartering: same speeds, a touch of opposite tab to keep the chine engaged.
Following sea: tabs up, bow a bit high, trim out for lift, steer chine-to-chine to prevent bow steer.

Setup tips that pay off

Engine height: most 255s like the motor 2-3 holes up; cures porpoise and frees up speed.
Prop: if you’re frequently loaded or in slop, a 4‑blade (e.g., PowerTech OFX4/Bravo I FS) one pitch down from your 3‑blade SWS II/Reliance tames slip and improves midrange. Expect ₂.4-2.7 mpg at 28-32 kt when dialed.
Tabs: if spec’d with small planes, upgrading to 12×18s gives better bow control.
Weight: keep coolers/gear forward; don’t stack passengers aft when drifting/fishing.

Maintenance watchlist

Rebed T‑top and leaning post bases; inspect for gelcoat crazing around the legs.
Inspect and replace cockpit scuppers/hoses; many swap to Gemlux flappers to keep feet dry.
Keep up with tab ram seals, livewell/bilge pumps, and through‑hull ball valves.
Check deck-to-hull joint and rub rail fasteners for weeps after hard days in chop.
No-wood build, but still keep hardware sealed and drain plugs out after washdowns.

Anecdotally, running a 15-20 kt sou’wester on a coastal stretch, the 255 stayed dry quartering at 24-26 kt with 30% tab. Any faster and it started to thump-back it down a hair and let the entry do the work.