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oh dear
09-19-2004, 02:42 PM
hi merc 250xs anyone tried one of these yet or know of anyone who has, are they any good ie performance and fuel effeciency etc etc do they push out 250hp is this really the replacement for the 250 efi?

Stream 1
09-19-2004, 03:39 PM
A lot depends on what your planning to run it on, the engine is a little heavy but has good low end torque. We have been running them on our Voyager open bow and finding good results. The 2004 and older engines had a low limiter 5850 due the compressor mounting system. For 2005 Mercury changed the mounting of the compressor and raised the limiter to 6350 on the 250 XS I think they dyno over 265 hp.

oh dear
09-20-2004, 02:25 PM
stream 1 thanks for that info , so it should be a better engine now with 265 hp, ive got a uk phantom 28 kevlar powerboat , really nice light boat at the moment ive got a pair of well cared for merc 200 2.5 carb engines on it ,runs about 71 mph full throttle,looking at the merc 250xs pair of them for more speed and better fuel economy how have yours been? many thanks for your help;)

CMC
09-20-2004, 02:41 PM
I think Tony C. from Ocean Outboard is running one on his new 23 Kryptonite. That must say something.

oh dear
09-20-2004, 02:47 PM
cool what do they go like , is this the replacement 2.5 efi on the way

oh dear
09-20-2004, 02:48 PM
i think ill email ocean outboard

msethsmile
09-20-2004, 03:47 PM
don't forget chip (rpm) change

mikesufka
09-20-2004, 05:07 PM
Guys

I'm absolutely no expert here, but I'm planning on hanging a pair of them on my new American Offshore 26 NSX.

I had a friend of mine, who knows Dave at DCB, call him and get the scoop. In a nutshell, the 250 XS runs almost identical to the 280 Mercs on a 26 foot DCB cat....in both acceleration and top speed. What's even more impressive is that its only about 3-4 MPH slower than the same boat with 300X's on it.

Second, this same friend also knows the owner of Stoker bass boats. 250XS runs 3-4 MPH slower than the 300X on the same boat.

Since they're easier to run than the 2.5/280 mercs and about $4000 cheaper than the 300X, I'm going with twin 250 XS.

Like I said, I know nothing about the subject, but this is what I heard as of last week.

Mike Sufka
St. Cloud, MN

Cp
09-20-2004, 07:20 PM
Originally posted by mikesufka
bla bla bla.....Like I said, I know nothing about the subject, but this is what I heard as of last week.

Sounds to me like you really don't know nothing.

:p :p :p

Jason Huber
09-21-2004, 12:23 PM
DOWN BOY!! :eek: :D The moral of the story here is...

oh dear
09-21-2004, 12:39 PM
msethsmile ,what chip where and which manufacturer etc?

MIKESUFKA thanks ever so much for the info its great to here it from others rather than salesmen, ive heard its a great engine also but not yet met anyone that owns one heard its the replacement for the 2.5 efi , let me know when u get yours fitted and are up and running!thanks again.



cp and jason dont know what you guys are on about explain a little more please?

Jason Huber
09-21-2004, 12:42 PM
Sorry for the off-topic hijack... Just having fun w/one of our Mn. Brothers! ;) :cool:

Cp
09-21-2004, 12:45 PM
I was commenting that Mike seemed to know what he was talking about. Pretty plain english, I thought.

Ripper
09-21-2004, 01:20 PM
It should have been written as "...don't know anything". (Double negative) LOL



Ripper

Ripper
09-21-2004, 01:22 PM
"doesn't know anything" J/K


Ripper

msethsmile
09-21-2004, 01:47 PM
oh dear--

I was at stroker boats and they highly favor the 250 xs. There is a chip to raise the rpm roughly 500 rpm over stock. I think the cost is reasonable but don't know about warranty. If you want better info talk to Chub at Stroker boats 865-983-2482. I've only met him once at his 'factory', but he knows the 250.

oh dear
09-21-2004, 02:46 PM
thanks for that info on the chip i will give chubb a call , all help on the engine really appreciated as im 90 % sure im going to buy a pair , ouch .
guys keep up the english lessons, have any of you got any peronal views on the 250 xs that would be far more interesting,or do you all know something i dont being new to this forum!

Jason Huber
09-21-2004, 03:33 PM
Motor definately looked like a stomp-puller on the new Vegas that showed-up @ LenFest. Looked right at-home on the new Stream... Only complaint I'd have is that its TOO DAMN QUIET!! :D Looks like the ongoing evolution of the 2.5 continues in the right direction! :cool:

j.iverson
09-21-2004, 03:54 PM
Now that there is one fine photo:D The guy who took that deserves a pat--thanks self. :D
If I was Sufka, I'd hang on to that friend, he seems pretty knowledgeable.

oh dear
09-21-2004, 04:54 PM
jason many thanks for that great shot looks good, wonder if any thing could be done to make it sound a bit louder ,you know the sound i mean that kind of 2.5 efi sound with the offshore leg, how aboot just drilling out some holes os the leg left and right side just above the gear box between the 2 flat sections? how is the motor on fuel what was the top end like?:D

Cp
09-21-2004, 06:24 PM
Originally posted by Ripper
It should have been written as "...don't know anything". (Double negative) LOL
Ripper

Sorry Rip. I used double negativity properly. Yours is a single negative which does NOT convey my intended meaning. :D

Cp
09-21-2004, 06:26 PM
Originally posted by j.iverson
.....I'd hang on to that friend, he seems pretty knowledgeable.

And how, Johnny!!! And he fixes my heavy foot incidents too, doncha know? :p

Cp

Cp
09-21-2004, 07:36 PM
not much lighter, but.....

That is one fine looking 'Stream, though. Deck seem's a bit higher/wider than original Veges, or just me? I really like the new interior setup. Is there more room under the bow? How much do they weigh? How fast with the 2.5xs? I really like the colors.

Cp

Jeff_G
10-01-2004, 08:13 AM
We rigged twins on a Fountain for a guy on the SKA fishing tour. He loves the motors, and the boat. They are easy to service and other than plug changes and gear oil changes has needed no major repairs. A lot of low end grunt. As posted they are quiet even with the light cowl. I would not hesitate putting them on anything appropriate. He had over 500 hours and 60% of those hours were under 1500 rpm.

oh dear
10-01-2004, 10:25 AM
thanks for that jeff , you dont know what the top speed was by chance , how was it for fuel economy?

oh dear
10-03-2004, 01:50 PM
had a ride yesterday on a boat with one of these on the back, great pull out good top end ish couldnt get wot cause of chop , the only fault is its too quiet at tick over it sounds more like a merc 1.5 hp with the exhaust muffled under water , really horrible , what can you do to make it sound better?

C-Webb
10-06-2004, 04:32 AM
250XS and 2.5XS are two different engines...

msethsmile
10-06-2004, 04:04 PM
I believe the 2.5 xs has a decimal point between the 2 and 5 whereas the 250xs does not, although I've been wrong before.

mikesufka
10-19-2004, 05:37 PM
Hey

What's the difference between the two engines??? I thought the 250XS and the 2.5 XS were the same thing?

Mike

blkmtrfan
10-19-2004, 10:12 PM
The 250 xs is a 3.0 liter, the 2.5 xs is a 2.5 liter

mikesufka
10-19-2004, 10:27 PM
Can you expand on the differences? Weight? HP? RPM range?

Now I am confused.

Mike Sufka

blkmtrfan
10-19-2004, 10:34 PM
Here take a look at this:

2.5 xs

http://www.mercurymarine.com/optimax_2.5xs2

225HP (rumor 245 HP) 450 lbs, 6800 RPM

250xs

http://www.mercurymarine.com/optimax_250xs

250HP (rumor 275HP) 505 lbs, 6300 RPM

I am confused too, but what I think we are looking at is the future of the 280 and 300x, hopefully merc will figure out how to get the horsepower back with the optis by 2006

mikesufka
10-19-2004, 11:36 PM
Thanks,

That helps, a little.

Mike

blkmtrfan
10-20-2004, 08:30 AM
No problem

Bulletboy
10-20-2004, 09:37 AM
If your looking for all out speed go with the 2.5 if you want motors that will get good fuel econ and have lots of low end grunt go with the 250xs. I ran one on my 20 xrd Bullet and pushed it to just under 100mph with a giant prop. The rpms were the only reason I sold the motor mine limited at 5845. It weighs 500lbs. I really don't know anything about a chip to raise the rpms. The new 05 250xs will limit at 6300 which will help some when trying to prop smaller,lighter boats

mikesufka
10-20-2004, 11:38 AM
Ray

Like I said earlier in this post, I've heard that there wasn't a big difference in top speed, if you would hang twins of the 250 XS on a 26 foot cat. Considering the reliability, gas mileage, and the fact I won't need to rebuild them every summer, I'm going to give them a try.

Mike

blkmtrfan
10-20-2004, 01:10 PM
Bullet boy what are you putting in the 250xs' place?

oh dear
10-20-2004, 03:35 PM
glad to see this one is still running ,im really keen for a pair of these although they do seem to have some down sides , there heavy , and they are so damn quiet at tick over it just doesnt sound right sounds like a steam engine as revs pick up it gets a bit better , wonder if you could have an offshore leg?

Bulletboy
10-21-2004, 09:03 AM
I traded the 250xs for a 20cc bullet with a 260 on it the 260 is going to become a bad ass with a 15" mid I hoping to get the 20cc to run in the mid 100's. This is my winter project, the 20 xrd is going back to fishing mode with a 225EFI. Btw I am looking for a good 15" mid section if anyone has one.

blkmtrfan
10-21-2004, 09:57 AM
Cool Bulletboy, keep up posted, any pics of the new boat?

msethsmile
10-21-2004, 10:14 AM
buy the cheaper of the two motors, add or delete the decimal point as you see fit and bammo--you've got the more expensive motor.

Seriously, the computer on the 250 is podded (no chip), suspect there is more than one computer. One version has higher rpm's. Again, talk to Chub at Stroker boats.

Bulletboy
10-21-2004, 10:42 AM
Pics up of the new rig, I tried to get a new computer for my 03 250xs and it was a no go, you also need to change the compresser to turn more rpms, its cheaper to buy a 05 250xs.

skip merck
10-21-2004, 12:06 PM
Oh dear, have you considered 300 Yamaha hpdi? One thing they sound more like a regular 2 stroke than an Optimax.

oh dear
10-21-2004, 04:26 PM
hi skip, afraid im mercury through and through , always had them ,i know the old japs are getting really good now , i guy i know has the 300 yabadaba dooo , loves it , could always paint one black!!!!! have you got a yamy on a more serius note ?
any one tried to put an offshore leg on the 250 xs?

Jeff_G
10-21-2004, 05:45 PM
The ECM chips are not replacable but they are programmable. We had some 250XS come in and were fouling plugs. They were on a big heavy ofshore boat. We sent them back to Mercury racing and they reprogrammed the ECM's. No plug fouling since.
I'm not sure what they will or will not do but it can be done, but not by a simple chip replacement.
Also keep in mind any warranty will be void if you mess with the ECM, and they will check the ECM!
If you do have the ECM's reprogrammed for any reason make sure you mark them if they are in a dual motor setup. If not you will have to reprogram port and stbd with the DDT and the Smartcraft will not work right.

Lars T
10-24-2005, 07:57 AM
Picking up an very old tread..

Does anyone one have an email/link to Chub at Stoker Boats?

Jeff - What does Fouling plugs mean??

tdogcarter
10-25-2005, 08:05 AM
Yes it is an old thread, but the good thing is the 2.5 xs engine dropped in Price from $14K to $12K
Just ordered me up one of the 18 that are left from Merc

Trey

drasticplastic
10-26-2005, 07:55 AM
Cool T-dog on the lower price and that you are getting a new motor. The list price on a new 2006 250XS is $16200. So an 2005 2.5 for 12k is lookin good. Are you putting the 2.5xs on the euro?. I would like to know how it runs if you do.

tdogcarter
10-26-2005, 08:00 AM
Nice that Merc actually lowered the price on something for a change. But I think it is because they have an excess in inventory, and something is replacing this motor in 2006 and will be launched at the Miami Boat show.

Hopefully they still have a decent hipo 2.5 liter engine. That is kind of why I went with this engine, because it is still a 2.5 and it is only 50 lbs heavier than the 2.5 260 or that is what I heard. Real weights, I don't know. But it has the Trim pump mounted on the mid so that makes a difference, and I don't think the cowl is as lightwieight.

Yes the Euro will be getting the 2.5 xs and I am collecting props right now. I already have a 30 lab cleaver, and a 32 lab cleaver. Hopefully it will be ordered with a 1.75 sporty rather than the 1.87 sporty. That is the only thing left up in the air. Don't know why Merc would not allow a different gear?

I will let everyone know, but the evaluation Greg did was pretty convincing for me to go ahead and buy. Also the 2K price drop helped, since you can't get a 225 hp (more like 245 hp) hipo engine for any better price.

drasticplastic
10-26-2005, 03:18 PM
Amen to the price drop(lol) seams to be a very rare thing these days. Keep us informed of your progress and results.

halveb
10-26-2005, 03:23 PM
Cool Trey good luck with the new motor. I will be curious to see what they come out with in Miami. I wondered why I couldn't find any specs on Mercury's site for the 2.5xs.

I will be curious to see how this motor spins those big wheels. It seems like that is going to be the story for the new motors, lower RPM with more torque. I can just see it now......"oh yeah buddy, just wait here while I get my 28 drag prop then we'll see who is a bad ass." :cool:

drasticplastic
10-26-2005, 08:12 PM
Halveb, That is funny about the 28" drag prop. (lmao), but it is now going to be true. And motors so quiet that all you hear is the prop processing the water and the wind being split.