Is there a best recommended motor for a 20xd and is a 225 mercury sport xs a good or bad choice???
Is there a best recommended motor for a 20xd and is a 225 mercury sport xs a good or bad choice???
Most would have a 250 pro xs , I have a 20xd with a 225 great fuel mileage about 6.5 mpg and would still run 79 mph
In a two stroke it would be a 250 or 300 XS. A 225 pro sport would work. This hull, IMO needs a sportmaster. I personally prefer the 1.62 gears which make propping a little easier.
A 20XD with the 250XS should approach 90 easy.
Let me add, on my 20XD, I run a 250 XS (mine requires premium fuel) 1-3/8 inch above pad, 1.62 gears And a 28 pitch Bravo.
I had a 225 Sport 1.62s and it was just fine buttt the 250 Sport 1.62s is way better. A 300 would be even better !!
BULLET 20 XRD/250 Merc Sport XS
www.ncboatguy.com
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^!!!!!!
2008 BULLET 21XD 2007 Merc 300xs
2005 Stroker 2010-250pro xs
2002
I'm looking for fishing use with gear 2 people live wells full....gets on plane quick/ez, top speed 75mph, cruise around 60mph, good on fuel and oil, responsive (accelerates quick when you step on the pedal in big waves for example), and dependable. That's what I'm looking for I wasn't sure how sensitive a 20xd was with motor HP's, weights, props lower units, gears....thanks
You don't have to have a sportsmaster but, if you want it to perform like a Bullet, a 20XD really needs one IMO. If you only want a top speed of 75mph, heck stick anything on it with 200 or more HP. For me, that begs the question, why do you even want a Bullet?
Thanks for the replies...Reasons for a bullet... Fuel economy, and when the motor blows a 200 on a bullet should be cheaper to replace than a 300 required on a typical heavy boat to hit 75+. And a boat transom might like less weight with a smaller motor perhaps? I don't think there are other 20ft boat brands that will hit 75+ with a 200....and the heavier boat brands I have been in are all rather sluggish and plow through big water. They aren't really responsive/can't speed up or slow down quickly which I wish they did in big waves. Maybe a bullet isn't responsive either??? I guess when I want to go 75+ that means routinely not with the perfect atmospheric conditions and a motor screaming about to explode. I guess I should have said a boat that can cruise around at 75 on a typical day.
I had a 225 Sport XS on my 20XRD before replacing it with a 300XS. Fuel consumption was not even noticeable after the swap. Maintenance between the 225 and 300 is no different in the grand scheme of things. Actually cruising at 75 like you want to the 225 will probably burn more. The 300 will barely be breaking a sweat to run that speed. Based on personal experience the 300 has many more pros than cons.
BULLET 20XRD/Mercury 300 XS
The set up on my boat allows close to that. I cruise around 70 on decent water with typical fishing loads. Your definition of cruise may differ from mine. I like 4200 - 4500 RPM for cruise. The 225 Sport, set up correctly should give you a 60 mph cruise based on my definition of cruise.
Bullet11 is getting 79 wot with a 225 then 60 - 65 sounds about right for a cruise speed?
If a 20XD Bullet is running 75+ with a 200, that 200 will be screaming and will take perfect conditions.
Not picking on you just confused on what you want a 20XD with a 225 Sport to do. That would be a decent combo but underpowering a boat does not necessarily mean better mileage. My boat will likely get as good of mileage at 65 mph as the same boat with a 225 with same set up.
Bottom line to your question, 1997 and later 20XD, most will recommend 250 with sportsmaster as a minimum. Will a 225 pro sport make a good combo? Yes.
Let me add I concur completely with slick20XRD.
Hmm. Total opposite of what I was thinking. Thanks so much for the thoughts on the 300 vs the 225. Do you happen to know if the 300 was significantly heavier than the 225, and at rest did the 300 affect the angle the boat sat in the water ( like did the bow sit higher than the transom with the 300?)
Hey Gehol. I was wondering what makes the sport master better? Does it have different gears or is it just the shape of the lower unit that makes it better? I know prop shapes significantly affect performance...never considered the shape of the lower unit though (if lower unit shape does affect things). Thanks in advance!
Low water pick up and the shape of the LU. A traditional LU (torquemaster) will normally be run 2-3 inches below pad. A sportmaster can be run 2+ inches above if need be.
And adding, I do not want to be going faster than 75-80 with a torque master due to blow out. JMO
BULLET 20XRD/Mercury 300 XS
I think the 300 is a little heavier, it is a larger displacement. However I concede it will not be by much.
For fun, a 280. I'm surprised no one has mentioned it.