Merc Guys Only!motor Advice.repower 24 Skater

**SKATER241** · 08-06-2004, 12:21 PM

I AM PLAYING AROUND WITH THE IDEA OF REPLACING MY 1994 2.5'S ON A TWENTY FOUR FOOT SKATER THIS WINTER.WITH MERCURY DISCONTIUEING THE HIPERF STUFF AFTER NEXT YEAR ITS KIND OF NOW OR NEVER.WHAT I AM CONSIDERING IS THIS.
1.)PAIR OF NEW 2.5'S(280HP EFI VERSION)
2.)PAIR OF 300 PRO MAXES
3.)PAIR OF 300X'S
4.)KEEP WHAT I HAVE AND REFRESH THEM
JUST CURIOUS WHAT ALL OF YOU THINK WOULD BE BEST.MY WIFE IS ALSO INTO THIS SO I CAN PRETTY MUCH DO WHAT I WANT TO.RELIABILITY WOULD BE MY GREATEST CONCERN AS SPEED NOW IS GOOD BUT CAN ALWAYS GET BETTER.NOT INTERESTED IN THE VERADO FOR THIS APPLICATION OR ANY OTHER MAKES OF MOTOR.IF IT AINT BLACK I DONT WANT IT!

**Firestarter** · 08-06-2004, 12:33 PM

No question a pair of 280 is the way to go....... good luck getting them.

RT

**SKATER241** · 08-06-2004, 01:00 PM

Originally posted by Firewalker
No question a pair of 280 is the way to go....... good luck getting them.

RT

JUST CURIOUS AS TO WHY YOU THINK THE 280'S ARE THE WAY TO GO?

**Firestarter** · 08-06-2004, 01:00 PM

Balance
Balance
Balance

RT

**skywagon** · 08-06-2004, 02:20 PM

Depends on what your definition of reliability is. I have owned a 260 and now a new 280. Although they havn't given me many problems they are proned to piston/ring issues, shifting issues, and the like compared to a pro max.

Personally, if you are talking about a worry free, rebuild free(for years), smooth shifting, good cooling and idling combo....I'd go with two 300X's. They have the RPM combined with the 1.62 geared SM to get you the speed. Plus they have the torque. Another plus is ofcourse the worry free oiling systems as well as smartcraft monitoring and the engine guardian system. The one system monitor can be used to "clean up" your dash. One gauge, one cable. This fits my definition of reliable.

Bill

**Greg Moss** · 08-06-2004, 02:42 PM

I got to agree with skywagon. The 300X would be my engine of choice. Remember there is no substitute for cubic inches. Those motors have goobs of torque, The oil system is a big improvment over what Merc had been using.(no more plastic gear on the crank) The 1.62 gears will give good top end and with the cubic inches still have a solid hole shot and midrange. With those motors only turning in the 6000- 6800 range you aren't gonna wear them out as fast as the 280s.

**eli** · 08-06-2004, 03:43 PM

The 300's are nice low rpm motors but dont have the noise that yours make or other 260/280's, I quess is how fast do you want to go per $$$$$ you can step your motors up a notch for a lot less and still be reliable or buy another 260 and put 3 on that skater if you do some mods contact James Ruck he is a master machinest and making horsepower is his specialty he also sells parts with good deals #920-233-3833,oshkosh,wis. Jay Hinz

**yahoo** · 08-07-2004, 07:52 AM

What about waiting a little bit for the verado ? I have heard they are going to come out with a 300+/- HP version with the ssm soon.

CM

**WILDMAN** · 08-07-2004, 08:27 AM

The last four 24ft Liberators we sold{same bottom as Skater} all had 300's. With 34's you can cruise 90-91 mph at 5000rpm. High 60's at 4000. They idle at 600 and shift with a simple click. Very reliable!

**yahoo** · 08-07-2004, 09:52 AM

What was the top speed ?

**WILDMAN** · 08-07-2004, 10:17 AM

Last time I talked to the new owner, it was 115-116. Fastcobra94 has a 2002 24 Liberator with 1999 Promax 300's {not X's} and he runs 112.

**rock** · 08-07-2004, 11:11 AM

One of my boating buddies has a 300x and that thing is awesome. He had a 280 on the same boat and actually lost a couple miles per hour but has a lot more torque. Weight seems to be the issue with his boat as it is a 20' bass boat. I would not think it would affect a boat as large as yours as much. By the way, that 280 has been rebuilt twice so far. I run a modified 260 but have not had it long enough to say anything about it other than it runs good now. Good luck.
Rock

**SKATER241** · 08-09-2004, 12:18 PM

TTT

**Brad Zastrow** · 08-09-2004, 01:31 PM

A lot cheaper to rebuild your 260's. Have the pistons top pinned and you will be good to go. Maybe gain a few mph with the 300x but at what cost? $32k for a pair? I think they are too heavy for a 24' boat. The setup you have now is quicker and more nimble.