I leave and look.........

[JOEALLY]

I go on vacation and you guys quit posting, everyone must be out enjoying the best boats made. . .lol

[V6MERC]

I wondered why it was so quiet in here!!! Are you and I the only people who post anymore?

[alli ss]

nope. I'm here

[V6MERC]

[Props4u2]

Been out of town since Friday myself.

Lee

[XB2003]

I'm here

[dspencer]

I have a question. What would a 2003 run with an optimax 150? What prop would work best.
If you needed to stay within the hp limits of the boat for tournaments what would be the motor of choice and reliability is essential.

[froggy]

DSpencer,

I can't reliably comment on the 150 hp speeds, but I can speculate---I'd say it would run in the mid 70's.

I have a friend who has a 2003 with a Merc 250 XS, he is running 98 MPH loaded for fishing and 96 MPH with a 250 pound partner, loaded for fishing. His handling is excellent and the 250 XS is a reliable fishing motor that passes the 250HP limitation rule.

froggy

[Props4u2]

Froggy is on the money.
I don't believe I would want to drive a 2003 with a 250xs, has to be very poorly balanced with all the weight. Now if we were talking a 2.5 280 or 300 Drag, I'm in.

Lee

[froggy]

Lee,

The XB 2003 w/250 XS handles about 200% better with the 250 than it did with the 280 that was taken off. The reason for this is hours and hours of setup/test/setup/test. I cannot talk about the setup until the owner consents as it is somewhat proprietary, but needless to say my 2003 w/280 is getting close to the same treatment. 280 = 400#, hydraulic plate = 45#, third battery = 60#, total weight in back = 505#. 250 = 530#, plate = 10#, total = 540#. Only 35# difference.

I know that common wisdom dictates no 530# motors, but in this case setup overcame the weight. No bull.

froggy