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Thread: 21 MTR, 300xs. Cougar Chronicle
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08-31-2020, 06:44 PM #1
21 MTR, 300xs. Cougar Chronicle
I’d like to share my experience with my new to me (2 week ago) 1986 Cougar 21 MTR.
As a back story my notable prior boats have been with a ’86 Hydrostream Valero YT which I did a ground up restoration on and took from a 55 MPH slug to a boat that would run 104 on the limiter with a stock ’97 225 Promax and a 32 Lighting ET. I sold it for a boat that would not beat you up with lake chop and that could go fast more often when conditions aren't perfect.
I ended up with Challenger/Scorpion/ TUFF 21 prototype that initially went 85 and by the time I was done with setup ran 95 MPH with a 2008 300XS and a 28 Bravo XS. Great boat, super smooth, comfortable and confidence inspiring…. But after 3 years I sold it this summer and it was time for something new.
I’ve longed after a Canadian built 21’ Cougar for many years… the TUFF sold in a hurry and I picked up a ’86 Cougar with very clean gel (just needed some 3M buffing treatment) and very original and solid everything else. It came with a 2012 Merc 250 ProXS with a fishing motor gearcase which after the initial run hitting 79 with a 28 Bravo had to go to make way for some real power.
Bring on the 300XS!
Sold the 250 and got a 2014 300XS with a sporty and 1.62 gears. It ran 92 with the exact same prop – cool, but time for some prop testing.
I borrowed some props and here’s where were at as of this week:
-28 Bravo XS – 92
-30 Signature 4 – 93 great holeshot & midrange, no top end
-30 Lab’d (mazco) Bravo XS – 101 yesterday - good holeshot and amazing midrange (might make a great second prop)
-32 Bravo – 105.5 Today! – sluggish midrange, but wow we’re moving now!
Still to come:
-34 Bravo
- A custom 32” RE4 (being worked from rough casting to work of art suit this setup from the best in the business in Canada as we speak)
The 21 Cougar is very impressive boat, it’s the best handling, accelerating and smooth boat I’ve ever been in. It likes to go straight, doesn’t turn as hard as the others but it sure is one sorted hull that does everything well and is so easy to drive... it was well worth the wait.1989 21' Skater - twin 2.5s
1986 Cougar 21MTR, 15" 300XS - sold
2002 TUFF 21 (#0.1), 300xs - sold
1986 Valero YT, 225 Promax - sold
1987 Viper, 140 cross flow - sold
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08-31-2020, 07:16 PM #2
Yes 21 cougars were some really nice boats at least the ones Built in Canada. I bought one for a customer mid 2000 bare hull from their Ontario distributor. He had an 86 Johnson 200 and wanted to go fast so I tore it apart sent the block crank ,rods to monty and he supplied pistons and we use the 86 heads that he actually cut down some he finger ported it bored out to a 3 liter and ported it. Send it back said to 285 horse and I did nose cone rigged it and we ran a 30 in hoss Triton at 98 mile an hour. So your numbers are pretty close I would think. They are Rock Solid Hulls
Last edited by perfmarine1; 08-31-2020 at 07:23 PM.
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08-31-2020, 09:11 PM #36000 RPM
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21 MTR, 300xs. Cougar Chronicle
Fullthrottleguy
Congrats on the new to you 21MTR. The Canadian ones are getting hard to find. Where did you find it? My first Cougar was a '96 21MTR. It ran 101.2mph with a 300 Mariner Super Magnum turning a Mazco RE4 32" and about the same speed when I swapped for a 300X with 30" RE4 with a 1.62:1 Sport Master on both engines. The 21MTR loved the RE4 props and with a 32", you should be in the 105mph range depending on your set up. Post up some photos and results on here and check out the thread I started in the Photos & Videos Forum.
Stay safe
Gary
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09-01-2020, 04:59 PM #4
It was listed for sale for all of 8 min before I called the guy and said I wanted it - lol!. Port Severn area.
34 bravo - it ran 103.5 and then I got out of it. I don't like the way it feels with this particular bravo, the ass end is too loose and the boat moves around.1989 21' Skater - twin 2.5s
1986 Cougar 21MTR, 15" 300XS - sold
2002 TUFF 21 (#0.1), 300xs - sold
1986 Valero YT, 225 Promax - sold
1987 Viper, 140 cross flow - sold
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Star1 liked this post
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09-02-2020, 02:44 PM #5
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09-02-2020, 02:45 PM #6
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09-02-2020, 02:46 PM #7
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09-02-2020, 05:12 PM #8
Beautiful boat! Have you considered moving the motor up on the jack plate a bit?
1992 Progression 22
Mercury Racing 250R
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09-02-2020, 07:10 PM #96000 RPM
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21 MTR, 300xs. Cougar Chronicle
Fullthrottleguy
Nice looking boat and a great find. I have always had great results with the RE4s and I'll bet the boat will handle better and be faster once you get yours back from the shop. Is your jackplate hydraulic or manual? Lifting the motor higher on the plate could increase your speed providing you have good water pressure.
Stay safe
GaryLast edited by Hydrogasm; 09-03-2020 at 06:47 AM. Reason: Spelling
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09-02-2020, 07:10 PM #10
It's got the factory cougar power jack plate. Tonnes of lift, I run it very high to get these speeds.
1989 21' Skater - twin 2.5s
1986 Cougar 21MTR, 15" 300XS - sold
2002 TUFF 21 (#0.1), 300xs - sold
1986 Valero YT, 225 Promax - sold
1987 Viper, 140 cross flow - sold
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09-03-2020, 05:23 AM #11
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09-03-2020, 08:02 AM #12
Oh that's a good point. I believe I'm only 2/3rds of the way to the top at full speed but I should check.
1989 21' Skater - twin 2.5s
1986 Cougar 21MTR, 15" 300XS - sold
2002 TUFF 21 (#0.1), 300xs - sold
1986 Valero YT, 225 Promax - sold
1987 Viper, 140 cross flow - sold
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TooStroked liked this post
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09-03-2020, 03:33 PM #13
Those are some great numbers my friend. How back is your set back bracket, and are you running 1 1/2 above pad or more?
1986 cougar mtr 21
2003 supra launch ssv
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09-04-2020, 02:25 PM #145000 RPM
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09-04-2020, 04:32 PM #15
Team supra:. Thx! I'm pretty impressed with how fast it will run with some random bravo 1 props. I feel this boat is very light - you can see sunlight through the sides from the inside. It has the factory setback bracket and Jack plate.
Peterse90:. Yup - same guy (Ben). He has 2 19's before this one.1989 21' Skater - twin 2.5s
1986 Cougar 21MTR, 15" 300XS - sold
2002 TUFF 21 (#0.1), 300xs - sold
1986 Valero YT, 225 Promax - sold
1987 Viper, 140 cross flow - sold
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