Anybody Own/Run A Mercury 300XS 250XS or ETEC 250 ?

[deepobsession]

I tried this thread before and got a couple of responses. As I get closer to this repower decision I am leaning away from 4 strokes due to increased weight issue and looking more at the 2 Strokes. I currently run a 30' HydroCat Center Console with twin Yamaha 225 OX66's. I would like to increase cruising speed as well as increase my current 1.2-1.3 MPG loaded cruise. I am interested in anybody that knows the "street" cost of Mercury's 300XS as well as 250 XS Pro and the E-Tec 250's. All of these engines weigh less than what I current run. If I go into 4 strokes the weight rapidly becomes an issue on my hull and I believe my performance will suffer.

The hull is a planing cat that weighs about 5000# dry carry 300 gallons of fuel for another approx 1800# and have ttop probably topping out at 6250# before passengers.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[Capt. Mako]

i have 2 Ocean Master 31 feet one with 225's and the other with 250's both E-Tecs far more better that any 4S

[rbutterworth]

We run a Grady Marlin with Twin 250 ETECS, had F225's.....love the etecs.....great throttle response, as refined as a 4 stroke at idle, no problems to date (7 months, 110 hours)....they are very economical at trolling speeds too...., any specific questions, feel free to ask....or email me....

[albertearl]

I have the 250 XS, although it is on a completely different type boat than yours, the fuel economy is unreal. With todays 2 stroke technology, no need for 4 strokes. And that's all I got to say about that.

[robolito]

Just bought an E-Tec 250 for $16,100 ...tax tag and title about 19k????? A buddy just put the 250 E-tec on an older 26 Aquasport and hole shot is incredible pushing 50+ WOT!!!!!!!

[Inspector62]

E-tech's are a great engine and I'd be happy to own one. The XS is in a different class though. It's a racing engine that's perfectly happy trolling all day. I believe the warranty on the XS reflects the fact that it is a racing engine designed to run at full throttle all day.

So it depends on your personal preference. I really hope to own an XS some day as long as it's on the right boat. If you don't need a racing engine I'd look at the optimax or e-tech.

Is there some reason you didn't mention the optimax? Also a great engine, IMHO slightly better than the e-tech.

[sundancekid]

250 hp is now available through Mercury as a regular production engine in 25 and 30" shafts left and right hand rotation with full warranty (5 years as of last week). Go with the proven technology, Optis have been on the market for 11 years now and have proven time and again to be reliable, efficient, cheaper to buy, and also lighter than anything else on the market. I had the choice to go white or black when I repowered, I went black and never look back!