New 200 XS 2.5 Consumer Outboard

**LongShot** · 10-20-2015, 07:53 PM

After much discussion with Darris Allison, and many owners of lightweight, performance hulls, I am soliciting help to contact:

Kevin Skiba
National Sales Manager
Mercury Racing
kevin.skiba@mercmarine.com

The following is the letter I have sent to Kevin. Please feel free to cut, pasteand add your own experience and needs.

Dear Kevin,

I am writing this message in regard to the availability of a suitable outboard package for high performance, lightweight hulls. I have been involved in racing, cruising and fishing out of Allison boats for the last 25 years. To this point I have owned 35 of the boats and currently have six. I interact on a regular basis with owners of Allison boats as well as many other owners of similar style and weight hulls. Through rally's, races, internet forums and social media there is a common theme. Power for the type of boats we own is non-existent in a production platform. Most of us rely on rebuilt/used 2.5 Mercury high-performance models. The used parts that are available for that motor are all now at least 10 years old and many of the hard parts are NLA from Mercury. In short, there are thousands of hulls across the country with no real option for re-powering. These boats were built with improved design and materials and will be around for many years. My current fleet consists of boats that are 17-28 years old that still look like new. So demand for power options will exist for years to come.

The folks that are looking at options to power hulls in the 18-21 foot, 800-1400 pound range have changed since I owned my first boat. In 1990 power was king at the expense of durability and reliability. Sixteen amp charging systems were the norm and modifying parts and pieces like motor mounts, gearcases, etc was expected. Today's boater wants a reliable package capable of pushing their boat into the 90 mph range that they can bolt on and go. They want a warranty and they want to be able to return to their dealer for service and parts. High performance stereo systems and electronics, and the charging system to power them, are just as important as top speed.

It is my educated opinion that all the parts and pieces for such an outboard currently exist in the Mercury line up. We need a package offered with a 15" or 20" mid, Sportmaster gearcase in 1.75 or 1.87 ratio, solid motor mount , 2.5 liter, 200-225 horsepower direct injected outboard motor. It needs to be available from any Mercury dealership and it needs to weigh in at no more than 435 pounds. It also needs to come with a minimum of a one year warranty. The price of that motor needs to be aligned with the same horsepower now offered in the 3.0 liter line-up. I did own a 2013 Gen 2 200XS race motor and it was very close to what we need. Availability and price for that package put it at a disadvantage. It is perplexing when you compare that to the power, warranty and availability of a 250 XS Sport. That package has all the attributes we are seeking except the weight of the 3.0 liter motor makes it useless for our hulls.

Sincerely,

Dave Hensley

**Greg G** · 10-20-2015, 08:21 PM

That is a well constructed letter. Do you expect a response? At the end of the day all Merc has to do is take the current 200XS ROS 2.5 SS with a Sporty and offer a warranty and folks would buy it. I don't even know if having the 20" would matter all that much but that is just my opinion.

**LongShot** · 10-20-2015, 08:29 PM

Darris says it is his pick for the XB21. Needs a 20". Many of the STV guys need 20". The motors could be around 230HP with the 15% they are allowed over advertised hp. At $15K-$16K they would sell

**Greg G** · 10-20-2015, 08:38 PM

I don't think it would fly at Merc for 16 but I bet if they priced it at $19,900 with a 2 year warranty people would be happy to pay it provided they had a choice of both 20" and 15" as you mention.

**LongShot** · 10-20-2015, 08:54 PM

250XS Sport with Sportmaster is $15,800 at Jaco's. Solid motor mounts and a years warranty, at least. As for your question about expecting a response, no. Darris had talked to the guy at IBEX and wanted me too fly the idea to see if any of the folks that complain about not having a choice of motors to re-power their boats would respond. I think it is a good idea whether they do or not. I can build motors out of my junk pile but you wonder about how many people sit on the sideline that would like to own a nice 15 year old STV, Allison, whatever but don't have the stomach for a 100 hour rebuild on a 15 year old motor. Or maybe a new XB 2002 but want to run mid 90's if they plunk down $31K for a boat.

**xb03fs** · 10-20-2015, 08:59 PM

It cannot be priced more than the 250 xs is 265/270 at the prop unless the power is closer.

**ProComp** · 10-20-2015, 10:19 PM

They pretty much had this exact motor in 2005 as I just had one. Alien Cowl, 20" bass mid, solid mounts, sportmaster. Came with warranty. Just bring it back..............

Great idea, good luck.

**xb03fs** · 10-20-2015, 10:51 PM

Was the 2.5 xs in 2005 the strongest one made?

**Onetime** · 10-20-2015, 10:56 PM

I think you're off on pricing estimate. The new non-warranties 200XS ROS is $23,000 to $25,000. Don't think a consumer one with an added warranty would be any cheaper then the ROS.
JMO

**Greg G** · 10-20-2015, 11:23 PM

Originally Posted by ProComp

They pretty much had this exact motor in 2005 as I just had one. Alien Cowl, 20" bass mid, solid mounts, sportmaster. Came with warranty. Just bring it back..............

Great idea, good luck.

I believe that you are referring to the 2.5XS correct? If that is what you are commenting on they were only built for one year, 2005. Different motor than the 200XS ROS.

**Greg G** · 10-20-2015, 11:25 PM

Originally Posted by Onetime

I think you're off on pricing estimate. The new non-warranties 200XS ROS is $23,000 to $25,000. Don't think a consumer one with an added warranty would be any cheaper then the ROS.
JMO

Merc would have to show some love and price the 200XS ROS at $19,900 with 2 year warranty. At $25k ................. I'm out.

**powerabout** · 10-21-2015, 02:27 AM

200xs ssm is the EU emission compliant UIM F2 engine, well the only one legal for sale over there anyway.

**LongShot** · 10-21-2015, 07:28 AM

Originally Posted by Onetime

I think you're off on pricing estimate. The new non-warranties 200XS ROS is $23,000 to $25,000. Don't think a consumer one with an added warranty would be any cheaper then the ROS.
JMO

The pricing is requested to be comparable to the "Race" version 250 XS Sport at $16k.

**Greg G** · 10-21-2015, 07:37 AM

If you can't use the 100lb heavier 250XS on a lot of the boats that you guys are mentioning, wouldn't you be willing to pay $19,900 to get the lightweight (about 240hp) 200XS. Or put another way, your paying more money to get less weight and two years of warranty.

You got to dangle some extra margin in front of Mother Merc to even get there attention I would think.

**xb03fs** · 10-21-2015, 08:37 AM

Originally Posted by Greg G

If you can't use the 100lb heavier 250XS on a lot of the boats that you guys are mentioning, wouldn't you be willing to pay $19,900 to get the lightweight (about 240hp) 200XS. Or put another way, your paying more money to get less weight and two years of warranty.

You got to dangle some extra margin in front of Mother Merc to even get there attention I would think.

What about have both a 200 and 225 so they can have a 230 ish and a 245 ish version...so legally they can keep the overseas racing motors compliant and make us happy hear. Just do it through ECU rev limit so it doesn't cost them anymore and they can pocket an extra $1000 on the 225 version. maybe make the 200 make 230 HP 6650 rpm rev limit and the 225 make 245 @6850 rpms rev limit