Boat/Motor question

[DaveTTN]

I am getting to the point in life now that I feel my next boat purchase will be my last. I have had a 21 XRD w/300 in the past and loved the rig. I am thinking in the next year or so of potentially ordering a 21 XRD or a 21 SST. I don’t need all that horsepower anymore, as long as I can bust 70 mph I will be content. Which of these two hulls would perform best with a 225? That would save me a couple thousand I can use towards electronics and an ultrex.

Looking forward to the discussion.

[av]

The 21xd back in the day with a 225pm would run 77 solo 74-75 with two. I think the sst would run better but the xrd front deck is sick , not to mention the front storage is massive when you go xrd , I personally would go 21xrd over the sst.

[Basswipe]

I don't know much about the SST other than it's shorter but a 21XRD would be a fine rig with a 225. That hull has stood the test of time. I just sold one with a 250 and even though I'm also slowing down I went with the 250 again anyway. Plus my new 21XRD will have power poles so the extra HP can't hurt with more weight in the rear end. I'd get a 21XRD with a 250.

[20DC BULLET]

Of the two that you listed, and concerning your mph requirements, i think the SST would be the way to go. Av's response is also something to think about. Does it have to be a 21 footer?
If you put that 225 on a 20 footer you'll save even more money and still have a beautiful boat.....the only thing is what type of environment are you in, meaning weather and water conditions/chop?
Good Luck with your decision!!!!

[DaveTTN]

Good info. I won’t need any power poles and will run a 24v TM. I carry what I would call a medium amount of gear, 10-15 rods, about 10 3700 boxes and keep plastics to about 5 pounds. The only thing that steered me away from the 20 XRD is internet talk of a rough ride. I fish East TN lakes, Watts Bar, Douglas and Cherokee. They can get some rollers when the wind gets up but most of the rough water is from boat traffic/wake boats.

[Basswipe]

Good info. I won’t need any power poles and will run a 24v TM. I carry what I would call a medium amount of gear, 10-15 rods, about 10 3700 boxes and keep plastics to about 5 pounds. The only thing that steered me away from the 20 XRD is internet talk of a rough ride. I fish East TN lakes, Watts Bar, Douglas and Cherokee. They can get some rollers when the wind gets up but most of the rough water is from boat traffic/wake boats.

The rough water ride of a 21XRD is great. The 20XD is a cool boat and would fit your needs but as you discovered if you run into some rougher stuff the 21 footer would make a big difference. I went from a 20XD to a 21XD and I would never go back to the 20XD just because of the ride.

[20DC BULLET]

I'm not familiar with those lakes because i'm way up north compared to you. There is a big ride difference between the 20 and 21 footers, but only if the conditions suck!! The biggest lake that I fish is Lake Champlain(125 miles long), and when the 3 & 4 footers are rolling out there with the big winds that come with it, i'm back at the house doing something else!! lol lol I really don't think
that whatever you do that you can possibly make a bad choice....Good Luck!!!

[Leonard Bullet21XD]

21XRD is hard to beat, spend the few extra dollars for a 250HP over a 225HP for the residual value if nothing else.

[gehol]

21XRD is hard to beat, spend the few extra dollars for a 250HP over a 225HP for the residual value if nothing else.

It will kill the resale value. 250 for sure

[Bullet 250]

Then you'll have it if you need it, one of these days you'll say, wish it would run a little faster

[DaveTTN]

Solid advice but this will be the until death do us part purchase so resale won’t be an issue, at least for me anyway.

[hyperflow]

Personally I would get the boat with a 200 SHO. You can try it as is and if you don’t like it you can flash it to whatever you want and still save thousands.

I would go with a SST or a XRS tho.

[DaveTTN]

Personally I would get the boat with a 200 SHO. You can try it as is and if you don’t like it you can flash it to whatever you want and still save thousands.

I would go with a SST or a XRS tho.

Thought about that but have always been a Merc guy but that is very tempting.

[BULLET FAN]

My vote would be 21XRD and 250. This model Bullet is proven. Ride and fishing platform and storage is top notch. Horsepower It’s there if you need it. Plus you probably get a little better gas mileage which could really add up over the years. Another thought if life throws you a curve ball and for some unforeseen reason you have to sale the 250 would be better.

[hyperflow]

Thought about that but have always been a Merc guy but that is very tempting.

If your not planning to go for huge numbers IMO the Yamaha is a nicer motor. More silent , less vibration, more bottom end. The new V8 merc is a bit faster on top. But personally think the Yamaha does everything else better.

[DaveTTN]

In a little over a week I am going down to the factory to look at some boats and talk to them about a custom color idea. I will have a better idea then of what I may do.

[BULLET FAN]

Dave how long have you owned a Bullet. I live 30 minutes from Limestone but the last 7 years my fishing has slowed way down. I would fish Boone, Patrick Henry some. In the past several years when I do get a chance to go I usually head to Douglas and occasionally Cherokee. I have a yellow and white Bullet with black accent pinstripes

[DaveTTN]

I sold mine in 2012 and have been in a BassCat and two Tritons since then. I fish all the lakes you mentioned plus Watts Bar. I am in a blue and grey Triton now. Ready for a change I believe.

[tlt20xd]

I just got rid of my SST 300R combo. If I wasnt worried about top end runs I'd by a 21 XRD I love that airplane landing front deck. It will still run the speed you want. And ride great. I think the XRS is the slowest boat Bullet builds but still runs pretty good.
20 ft XD 225 low mid 80s
21 ft XD 225 mid 70s
21 ft SST low 80s
21 ft XRS no personal experience

[DaveTTN]

I just got rid of my SST 300R combo. If I wasnt worried about top end runs I'd by a 21 XRD I love that airplane landing front deck. It will still run the speed you want. And ride great. I think the XRS is the slowest boat Bullet builds but still runs pretty good.
20 ft XD 225 low mid 80s
21 ft XD 225 mid 70s
21 ft SST low 80s
21 ft XRS no personal experience

You think the 21 SST would be low 80s w/225?