Hydrostream Venus

**bullhead00** · 06-08-2021, 10:45 PM

Originally Posted by Bodhi

I'm hoping you have someone shoot some video and put it up on this thread! Many hydrostream fans here

Definitely. For the time being, I have a 95 Mariner 2.5 200 EFI Magnum I'm probably going to put on it to run it. The more I think about it, I don't want to run the risk of hitting something in the Suwannee with the 260. I figure the Mariner will push it fine for now until I can get what I want. That 260 will make a fine garage ornament.

**XstreamVking** · 06-09-2021, 05:59 AM

300 XS would be sweet on that boat. Fast, cheap to run and dependable all in one package....

**mikesufka** · 06-09-2021, 12:30 PM

Bullhead00 -

That 260 might work great for you if you plan on making a few speed runs a week .... I just don't boat like that anymore.

I live on a 12,000 acre chain of lakes - an average boating day for me is to boat anywhere from 3-8 miles to a bar or a buddies house, have a beer, and then go somewhere else. I may have two in the boat or 4. We may idle for a mile or go 100 MPH for a mile or cruise for several miles at 30-50 MPH. Just depends on the day, but I want a reliable and friendly motor - the 300's from Merc have worked perfectly for that use. I've owned pairs of the 300 Promax ( different motors on two different boats ), the 300XS's, and now the 300X's. They all worked great for the above scenario.

Good luck and have fun.

MDS

**David - WI** · 06-09-2021, 12:35 PM

Originally Posted by bullhead00

Definitely. For the time being, I have a 95 Mariner 2.5 200 EFI Magnum I'm probably going to put on it to run it. The more I think about it, I don't want to run the risk of hitting something in the Suwannee with the 260. I figure the Mariner will push it fine for now until I can get what I want. That 260 will make a fine garage ornament.

Should run in the 90's with that 200 if you don't load it full of stuff you don't need.

**Bodhi** · 06-09-2021, 06:03 PM

Man, run that 260!!! Early runs are the key to not running into anyone in FL. Xstream and I ran the Calloosahatchee around 9a on weekdays and it was open season......those silly tourists only wake up and jump on their pontoons around 11.
That motor is a beast, pre mix 32:1 and let it loose! Only mod it needs is to lose both black boxes as mentioned above

**bullhead00** · 06-09-2021, 09:04 PM

Originally Posted by Bodhi

Man, run that 260!!! Early runs are the key to not running into anyone in FL. Xstream and I ran the Calloosahatchee around 9a on weekdays and it was open season......those silly tourists only wake up and jump on their pontoons around 11.
That motor is a beast, pre mix 32:1 and let it loose! Only mod it needs is to lose both black boxes as mentioned above

These guys have me thinking I can only go 10 miles on 20 gallons lol. I do have two 5 gallon race jugs I can bring with me just in case. How do I lose the black boxes and what does that do?

**mikesufka** · 06-09-2021, 09:15 PM

I wouldn’t be worried about the gas - it’s the not wanting to idle and “ticking time bombs” that I’d be worried about - lol

MDS

**bullhead00** · 06-09-2021, 10:19 PM

Originally Posted by mikesufka

I wouldn’t be worried about the gas - it’s the not wanting to idle and “ticking time bombs” that I’d be worried about - lol

MDS

Why is wanting to idle not good lol.

**Bodhi** · 06-09-2021, 11:27 PM

Originally Posted by bullhead00

These guys have me thinking I can only go 10 miles on 20 gallons lol. I do have two 5 gallon race jugs I can bring with me just in case. How do I lose the black boxes and what does that do?

Fill them up and enjoy!
The black boxes are for timing advance/retard. You'll see the detonation box on the port cyl bank side mounted and the idle advance box on the top of motor behind the flywheel. I read of the horror stories with these boxes malfunctioning after I bought my promax...they came off quick. Plenty of info and reading on this process here. This is an old thread of many to give you an idea. It'll take you about a half hour to remove them https://www.screamandfly.com/showthr...al-links/page2

**mikesufka** · 06-10-2021, 04:31 AM

Originally Posted by bullhead00

Why is wanting to idle not good lol.

It’s Mercury’s race motor from that era - don’t be afraid of it, but it’s meant to go fast. Run it this summer and then make a decision. You’ll understand very quickly what we’re talking about and there isn’t a right or wrong answer here.

MDS

**LakeFever** · 06-10-2021, 06:24 AM

I’m with the above. Run it. Make sure water pump is peeing strong and new Merc quicksilver lower unit oil change always a good idea. Ditch the black boxes and have fun!

**Bodhi** · 06-11-2021, 01:16 AM

But all this talk of swappin the 260 out for somethin else is killin me.....the horn motors are beasts and are made to be run hard and you can still cruise it without blowing anything up. Read up on taking those silly ass boxes out and premix the hell out of it and you'll be 100%. Any questions on the removal or anything, there are a ton of knowledgeable mechanics here from old school to new school who will get you through whatever.......I just wanna see that Venus hit the agua!!!!

**bullhead00** · 06-23-2021, 10:26 AM

Originally Posted by Bodhi

But all this talk of swappin the 260 out for somethin else is killin me.....the horn motors are beasts and are made to be run hard and you can still cruise it without blowing anything up. Read up on taking those silly ass boxes out and premix the hell out of it and you'll be 100%. Any questions on the removal or anything, there are a ton of knowledgeable mechanics here from old school to new school who will get you through whatever.......I just wanna see that Venus hit the agua!!!!

Well it should be hitting the water 4th of July weekend. I'm putting a 2001 200XS with Sportmaster on it this week. Can anyone provide any info regarding what I should have the setback at? Is 12" too much? I have an Atlas hydraulic jack plate with 12" of setback that I was going to put on it.