Mercury 280 vs 300xs which one is better?

[jpf091959]

I am considering repowering my 25 Cat. Which engine way would you go? I am not hard core but do like to go fast in short bursts. Most of my running will be from 50-70 mph.

[randy 77zt]

single or dual engine?i would run 300xs-many reasons why.the 280 and 300 are like opposites.1 uses torque to get the job done and the other uses rpms.the 300xs will use about 1/2 the fuel when just doing the family thing and mixes its own oil.the 280 makes power at high rpms and doesnt last as long between rebuilds.plus the 300xs is a green motor-sometime in the future you might need to have a green motor to get on a certain lake.here on west coast you have to have a green motor to get on lake tahoe.

[jpf091959]

thanks Randy. My boat is 25 Motion in great shape, currently powered by 2001 Opti's 225 with sportmasters. I want to be able to run 10 mph even though I won't do it often. Randy do you have Talon?

[150aintenuff]

go 300xs.... keep your sporties s spares if they are fat shaft and sell the powerheads less lowers or use them in trades... LOTS of boys are lookin for a used opti that they can install a pump on to fer river runnin.....the motors in the pis are not 225 optis???? is it a older pic when it had 225 EFI's??? them are 2.5L motors not the 3L motors that optis are???

[jpf091959]

Thanks, you are right about the picture. The pictures are several years old. I am not sure what it had on it at the time. Another reader has a pair of 280's wit 45 hrs and interested in talking about a swap. I would like the additional power but it comes with reduce fuel mileage which isn't all that big of deal. I am more worried about additional maintenance and noise.

[gearcase]

how many hours a year do you put on your boat? the 280s are lighter. went from 2.5s on a skater to 300x in chop it rides better with 300x when the water gets bigger the 2.5s were better.

[jpf091959]

all my boating in inland water ways. I expect I will put around 50 hours on over the summer.

I think I stick with what I have for now.

[randy 77zt]

the talon is mine but another s&f member wants to buy it -i am working out a transpo problem.if i have read other posts correctly member wildman put a 300xs on a boat and ran same top speed after switching from 300x using same prop and transom height.i have a friend that hasa a 22 stoker with 250xs -it gets very good fuel milage and idles very smooth and quiet.you will offset some of the motor cost with fuel savings and will probably enjoy your boat more with smooth quiet power.if i had the bucks and was keeping the talon i would cash out the 300 pm and bolt on new motor.if your 25' cat is not to heavy it should run 105+ with proper propellers if it is set up with twin 300xs