225 HP Mercury, Pro XS or Verado?

  • garagelogician
    Posts: 10
    April 26, 2012 at 4:13 pm #1316593

    As you might guess from my other post I am considering a new Ranger. At this point we are leaning towards a Reata 2050 and the mas HP is 225. The dealer I am working with like the Mercury engines which boils down to the Pro XS or the Verado.

    My understanding of the differences between the 2-stroke and 4-stroke is this

    4-stroke

    1) quieter

    2) better fuel consumption

    3) better, more precise, throttle control (drive by wire)

    4) better idle and speed control (think, muskie trolling)

    2-stroke

    1) better hole shot, more torque

    2) cheaper

    3) better midrange

    So, in speaking to the dealer he told me that the Pro XS is going to be a bit louder but that fuel consumption would be a little less(!) at 5500RPM. I did notice that he did not say anything about mid-throttle, take off, etc..

    The Pro XS is also cheaper but by how much I am not sure. I have heard anywhere from 1500-2000 in passing conversation but I have not asked the dealer about the exact difference. Part of me thinks that the 4-stroke is cleaner and will probably be a better engine for the long haul. I tend to keep things for awhile (my current boat is now 20 years old).

    I would love to hear any comparisons, anecdotes, opines. I am sure that many of you have had the same considerations when making a purchase and I would love to hear your thoughts. -)

    Thanks!

    gonecribbin
    reads landing MN
    Posts: 517
    April 26, 2012 at 4:36 pm #1062851

    With the price of oil these days, paying extra for the 4 stroke will save you money in the long run… Seems like im buying a gallon of oil every weekend @ $46 a pop
    My next motor will be a nice quiet 4 stroke…

    shady5
    Posts: 491
    April 26, 2012 at 5:06 pm #1062855

    My last four engines (2001 – 2011) have been four strokes (90 – 200 hp), which illustrates my preference. Sometimes I think the power argument, though it serves our masculinity needs, is moot for fishing craft. Most of us don’t need a quick holeshot and a 4 mph top-end difference isn’t the lynch pin in the decision. The purr of a four stroke will serve you nicely!

    Dave Koonce
    Moderator
    Prairie du Chien Wi.
    Posts: 6946
    April 26, 2012 at 5:41 pm #1062869

    If your looking and fishing big waters with big waves.. I think the Pro XS is lighter and would be a bit safer in that aspect…

    Just a thought… I have not looked up the facts… it justs sounds like it would be the case

    brian_j
    Posts: 204
    April 26, 2012 at 6:03 pm #1062893

    My dad has the 2050 with the ETEC 225 and I have the 1850 with a Suzuki 4 stroke. Here’s my take on it:

    As for the gas consumption, I would check mercury’s website for that info. I know Yamaha has charts of all their motors on various hulls, with GPH and mpg cruising and wide open. I’d guess you’ll find those 2 motors are very close

    The 2 strokes burn oil, I do one $50 oil change per year while my dad is constantly buying $50 gallon bottles all year long.

    Noise – It’s nice to be able to talk while cruising without having to shout.

    Verado – I just can’t get use to superchargers on a water toy, is that supercharger really going to last 20+ years without issues, maybe…..but if it doesn’t the repair bill will be outrageous

    Price – if one motor is $2k less than the other that makes the decision pretty easy, you can buy a lot of gas and oil for $2k.

    And last but not least, I’d take that salesman’s info with a grain of salt as compared to the research you can do on your own online.

    Mr.lundeye
    shoreview MN
    Posts: 16
    April 26, 2012 at 7:20 pm #1062925

    I would go with a e tec or F225 yamaha both before the mercury! Yamaha is the most dependable mototr on the water in there four stoke series! And they just made a new 22 thats much lighter then years previous. Etec had some issues but since 09 they made great improvments in the mapping of there outboards and other than sponsorships theres a reason 50% of FLW boats have e tecs on them! Not just sponsorships but there light quiet very fast and great on gas! I had a 225 e tec on a 620 ranger only bought two jugs of oil per year and ran my boat 120 hours a summer.

    gonecribbin
    reads landing MN
    Posts: 517
    April 26, 2012 at 8:19 pm #1062942

    Quote:

    I would go with a e tec or F225 yamaha both before the mercury! Yamaha is the most dependable mototr on the water in there four stoke series! And they just made a new 22 thats much lighter then years previous. Etec had some issues but since 09 they made great improvments in the mapping of there outboards and other than sponsorships theres a reason 50% of FLW boats have e tecs on them! Not just sponsorships but there light quiet very fast and great on gas! I had a 225 e tec on a 620 ranger only bought two jugs of oil per year and ran my boat 120 hours a summer.

    Im sorry but im not buying the 120 hrs on 2 jugs of oil. unless your backtrolling? Im getting about 2 tanks of gas per gallon of oil, with a 620/225

    charliek
    Wisconsin, St. Croix
    Posts: 7
    April 26, 2012 at 9:47 pm #1062977

    Love my Pro XS. Never misses a beat. Fast warmup. Fast hole shot. Fast on plan. Faster when you raise the jack plate a bit and run her all the way out. Throw some oil in the tank once in a while an go. No maintenance no worrys. Use the kicker to troll slow.

    eyesfishin
    Somerset, WI
    Posts: 370
    April 27, 2012 at 12:29 am #1063022

    Throw the 200 Verado on there instead. Save alot of weight, money, and gas.

    Wade Boardman
    Grand Rapids, MN
    Posts: 4453
    April 27, 2012 at 12:38 am #1063030

    I picked ProXS because i had a lemon Verado and it was hell to deal with. Plus there were some other features on the Verado that i hated.

    Between you, me and everyone else on IDO i would look to other brands.

    Yamaha has the new 225 Off Shore out and I hear the Off Shore platform is awesome.

    brian_j
    Posts: 204
    April 27, 2012 at 1:07 pm #1063108

    As far as oil consumption, I would guess a big 2 stroke averages about 50:1. So for every 50 gallons of gas you put in the tank you need to put one gallon of oil in the motor.

    ducksmuggler
    Red Wing, MN
    Posts: 155
    April 27, 2012 at 4:44 pm #1063224

    I have been of 4-stroke fan for about 10 years now, just cause of the fuel savings.

    I “Hate” etecs and so does my brother who HAD an 08 that was( he just bought a yammy) on its 3 power head/ second brain box, and 2nd oil tank…. last time it blow up the engine leaned itself out to after 9 hours.

    now we both are tiller guys and speed is not of importance to us.. but it is nice… anyway IMOP go 4 stroke that and you only get one set of ears might as well run the quietest engine you can to help save your hearing

    TJB
    Cottage Grove, MN.
    Posts: 290
    April 27, 2012 at 11:58 pm #1063346

    Love my 250ProXS on my 2012 620. Feel free to PM me if you have questions.

    ted-merdan
    Posts: 1036
    April 30, 2012 at 5:50 pm #1063974

    Quote:

    Quote:

    I would go with a e tec or F225 yamaha both before the mercury! Yamaha is the most dependable mototr on the water in there four stoke series! And they just made a new 22 thats much lighter then years previous. Etec had some issues but since 09 they made great improvments in the mapping of there outboards and other than sponsorships theres a reason 50% of FLW boats have e tecs on them! Not just sponsorships but there light quiet very fast and great on gas! I had a 225 e tec on a 620 ranger only bought two jugs of oil per year and ran my boat 120 hours a summer.

    Im sorry but im not buying the 120 hrs on 2 jugs of oil. unless your backtrolling? Im getting about 2 tanks of gas per gallon of oil, with a 620/225

    You need to see your dealer and have your oil setting re-mapped to align with your current oil if you haven’t done so since your motor was new.

    -ted

    gonecribbin
    reads landing MN
    Posts: 517
    April 30, 2012 at 9:00 pm #1064063

    Quote:

    Quote:

    Quote:

    I would go with a e tec or F225 yamaha both before the mercury! Yamaha is the most dependable mototr on the water in there four stoke series! And they just made a new 22 thats much lighter then years previous. Etec had some issues but since 09 they made great improvments in the mapping of there outboards and other than sponsorships theres a reason 50% of FLW boats have e tecs on them! Not just sponsorships but there light quiet very fast and great on gas! I had a 225 e tec on a 620 ranger only bought two jugs of oil per year and ran my boat 120 hours a summer.

    Im sorry but im not buying the 120 hrs on 2 jugs of oil. unless your backtrolling? Im getting about 2 tanks of gas per gallon of oil, with a 620/225

    You need to see your dealer and have your oil setting re-mapped to align with your current oil if you haven’t done so since your motor was new.

    -ted

    Ive been “re-mapped”… Ive also been told that the motor should average 80:1 to 100:1… This is less than 2 tanks of gas… Granted I probably use the throttle more than needed, but hey thats one of the reasons I bought it…
    Id be worried if I DID go 3 tanks of gas without adding oil…
    Evinrudes website says 50 hrs but their stats show only 3 minutes of an hour above half throttle, I wish I only had to make 3 minute runs..

    ted-merdan
    Posts: 1036
    May 1, 2012 at 6:29 pm #1064444

    OK then – try this: are you running high in the recommended RPM range? On my 621/250HO I used less than 6 gallons of oil in a tournament season (150+ hours)but my max rpm’s and now going on my 3rd season of use with a 150 tiller and am just into my 5th jug of oil but again I am running a prop that turns ~5200 RPM’s @ WOT – the low end of the range. I was told that once you get above the mid point of the WOT range then you are using exessive amount of gas and oil.

    Last I checked, using a bit of oil isn’t necessarialy a bad thing for an engine. There are plenty of places to get the xd-100 oil at a reduced cost. My experience has been very positive with both my E-TEC’s so I am a happy owner. I owned multiple F250 Yamaha’s (and a 200 and 225 HPDI’s) prior and E-TEC’s superior torque, top end speed combined with the lighter weight design will keep me with that brand for many years.

    Good Luck!

    -ted

    doonan
    Storm Lake, IA
    Posts: 74
    May 9, 2012 at 11:48 pm #1067091

    x2 love my 225HO etec

    hunter991
    Posts: 6
    May 17, 2012 at 4:18 pm #1068944

    I would go ProXS. Just because i don’t like Verado’s. Way to complicated. I like 4 strokes in fact i have one on my boat but if Merc was my only choice it would be the proven XS

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