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About to purchase 2000 Contender Open 25 with twin Yamaha V250 OX66 (EFI w stroke). Going to have it surveyed, but looks clean with under 325 hours on the engines. I've heard a few mixed things about the 250s, but am getting what I think is a good price. Would like to hear opinion from current owners or anyone else with something to say about the engines or things to look out for on the 2000 25 or Contender in general. Anyone know where i can get an original equipment list. THanks.
The Yamaha 250 OX66 is a proven rock solid engine. My brother has been running one on his 23 Contender for years. With 2 of them on the back of your 25 you should hold on tight cause that boat will fly. If the boat surveys ok, then enjoy your new ride.
I have a buddy who owns a 2002 25 Contender with twin 200 HPDI's and the boat runs great with the 200's it gets roughly 1.7-2.0 mpg. The hull performs great in choppy waters of the Gulf south of LA, so I see no reason it wouldn't be great for you.......it'll just be a bit faster!!!
__________________ Grady White 305 Express
"Southern Hunter"
This is one I ran with F250's.
Just to give you an idea of performance you'll get.
25ft contender, with twin f250 yamaha's. Full load of fuel for testing.
Smooth conditions
He was running 23 pitch 3blade saltwater series yamaha props, they ventilated after about 5500 rpms. best mpg was 1.3
top speed "with test load" was 56mph.
How'd the transom sit with 1200 pounds of F250 on the back?
It was a little heavy in the back at rest, not bad though, but that was the "new" 25ft, I don't know what all changed.
It liked to porpoise a little bit, as do many contenders. The 4 blades seemed to help a bit with that.
And I'm sure if he put wedges on there that would help too.
I have a 2002 25 Contender with 225 OX-66's. The OX series of engines have been great engines. Mine have 750 flawless hours. The only real down side is that they are gas hogs and smoke a little and are loud relative to either HPDI's are 4 strokes. I get anywhere from 1.2mpg to 1.7, averageing 1.5 fishing loaded. I'd prefer to have the HPDI's and have considered repowering, but since the engines give me zero trouble I keep putting it off. The hull is bullet proof and looks as good as they day I bought it. I keep it stored inside and wax it a couple times a year. As long as the electronics are up to date and the engines check out (compression and overall appearance inside /lack of corrosion etc..) I'd go for it. Hard to really know engine hours unless you totally trust the seller. The traditional analog hour meters are very easy to either disconnect or roll forward and back so can;t put tons of trust in one by itself.
That boat ought to screem!! I have a 2001 25 Open and it is the best hull I have owned. I looked at 4 or 5 25s when I was looking for mine and all the hulls were in great shape my only concern was with the power. I opted for a 25open with the 200 HPDIs and has proven to be a perfect match for this hull. Top speed 52mph, cruise 40mph-4000 rpms @ 19-20 GPH. Fantastic hull you will love the boat. The 25open hull has been the same for years without change untill recently....Mark
I think those engines might be on the heavy side for that hull. That hull was designed to run with the Yam 200 carb engines which are lighter than the HPDis even. However, I have never ridden one with bigger block v6s so no first hand.
That heaviness may translate into some porpoising ( full bait well , couple of guys in the back ) or excessive bow play when in the rough stuff.
I have a 2001 25 with HPDIs and I put wedges to help bring the bow down a bit. Love the boat. You will find little complaints about Contenders.
2000 Contender 25 Open 
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