WX2060 with F250XCA 0-30MPH time… Yamaha spec seems incorrect

I recently purchased a 2015 Skeeter WX2060 and had an E-TEC G2 250 on it. I spent last Tuesday prop testing it with three different props. In addition to selecting the correct prop for my rig, I was curious as to how well it performed compared to the published performance bulletin for this boat with the Yamaha F250XCA motor… the motor seen most on this hull. The performance bulletin is here:

http://yamahaoutboards.com/sites/default/files/bulletins/SKT_WX2060_F250XCA_2013-11-18_WLY.pdf

When looking at this Yamaha bulletin, it shows the 0-30 MPH spec at 4.85 seconds for the F250XCA. I think this spec is in error. Do any of you have any real world 0-30 MPH measurements you’ve done on your WX2060 with a Yamaha F250XCA? If so, which prop were you running?

As info, I tested my rig with a RX4 15×18 (4 blade) prop and got 3.44 seconds to plane and a 0-30 time of 6.8 seconds. Yamaha bulletin with a 15-1/4 x 18 (3 blade) prop got 3.96 seconds to plane and a 0-30 time of 4.85 seconds. Two other props I tested had similar numbers to the RX4. On the Yamaha I can’t see how after taking nearly 4 seconds to get on plane or upper teen’s it can accelerate the next 15 mph in less than half that time. Can’t see how when on my rig I can beat the 0-plane by a half second, but end up slower by two seconds on the 0-30 second measure.

By the way, all other test conditions were very similar as listed on the Yamaha performance bulletin except I was doing my test at an elevation of 1251 feet versus 320 for the Yamaha.

I would bet the testing equipment they used is superior in some way, or the test is slightly flubbed to look better. Are you sure you had a similar load in the boat and fuel level?

They have a huge disclaimer saying you may not reach the same results too.

First off, I’m NOT here to bash any motor. I just had a Yamaha on my last boat of 18 years and LOVED it! For years I was eyeing the Offshore for my next boat. Their reliability and performance to me is VERY high from having driven them in the past, their reputation, from several friends who have them, etc. I’m more of one of those technology “early new-adaptor” guys who also saw a lot to be desired in the new E-TEC G2 when they were announced. So much that I decided to go through the possible pains of being an early adopter of the technology. I’m just here because I see a figure that doesn’t pass any of my sniff tests.

triplea:
I weighed he boat / trailer on a scale that AM. I also called the trailer manufacturer and they gave me a quote on the trailer weight to deduct from this scale weight. Don’t know how much more superior “testing equipment” can be on a 0-30 timed test. A stop watch was used over several runs and I averaged the results.

More thoughts:
Also, see the attached image showing the “advertised” power curve of the E-TEC G2 250 vs a 250 Yamaha SHO & Mercury Optimax 250 ProXS. The E-TEC is (again “advertised” to have 20% more mid (RPM) range HP than the others. Can only assume any similar relation applies to the Yamaha Offshore, but the SHO and Offshore are very similar motors in the power heads from what I’ve heard.

So with this, I get up on plane faster, have a motor that I think has a margin higher grunt at mid-RPM, and just when I am in that sweet spot the Yamaha Offshore passes me then out performs in their published 0-30 MPH test by 2 seconds. Doesn’t pass my sniff test.

Similarly.. Yamaha is claiming on their bulletin that the Offshore 250 accelerated the WX2060 from planing speed to 30 mph in 0.89 seconds. I found this planing speed to be in the high teens in MPH. So from years of being in boats watching my guages I can’t say it again passes my sniff test for a boat to accelerate an additional 12-13 mph in less time than you can “one-mississi…”. Even sitting in chair saying that I can’t imagine that much acceleration in any engine.

This is why I’m wondering if anyone has conducted actual prop tests to measure 0-30 on their WX2060 like I have.

Attachments:

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   E-TEC-G2-PowerCurve.jpg
   

I have never measured my 0-30mph time but I will for sure my next time on the water. I can assure you though it is faster than 6.8 seconds and I run all the time with a tournament loaded boat/kicker/and a full load of fuel. My current prop is a 19P reliance which is nothing special but works very well on this boat. I’ll post more after my next trip out.

SpokaneJim

I think you’re overlooking an important piece here. Last fall I got a chance to spend a couple days talking directly with the Skeeter engineering team. They shared with me a “start to finish” overview of their hull design process. That process includes a substantial effort invested into maximizing hull performance when the hull is matched to a Yamaha outboard.

This is an engineering technique they first introduced with the design of the FX bass boats where they were able to achieve significant hole shot, mid-range acceleration and top end speed versus other outboards of the same HP by fine-tuning the hull design to best take advantage of the Yamaha outboard’s gear case design, gear ratio and power curve to maximize performance.

Point blank, you can put any outboard you want on the back of a Skeeter but you can bet the hull was designed to work most efficiently with a Yamaha outboard. So if you want to contest the Performance Bulletin released by Yamaha you’re really not comparing apples to apples with the E-Tec on the back.

NDskeeter… thanks. Looking forward to your numbers.

James H… points well taken. Overall we as boater’s & fisherman are blessed to have many great brands of boats and especially quality brands of motors to choose from to match the variety of performance characteristics that we all want from them.

Interesting info. Curious what are you seeing for top speed with the G2? Running a jackplate or no? My dad has a 2060 and if I remember I will try getting a 0-30 test.

Skeeter20

No jack plate. Garage was that close & it wouldn’t have fit. I tested an RX4 15×18 (4 blade) prop, an RX4 15×20 prop, and a Viper 14-3/4×19 prop. Max speed ranged from 52.0 mph on the 15×18 to 53.0 for the 15×20. Max RPM’s on the 15×20 were only 5380 though vs. 5900 range for other two. Yamaha had 53.3 mph at 5900 rpm on their performance bulletin with a 15-1/4×18 3 blade prop.

My seconds to plane ranged from 3.44 seconds (15×18 RX4) to 3.84 seconds (15×20 RX4). Viper 3 blade prop got 3.54 seconds. All times were averages over several runs. Yamaha bulletin had 3.96 seconds. Can’t make much “better than comments” because I don’t know what Yamaha’s criteria / definition of “on plane” was. Mine was the moment the bow made a very sudden drop after going through that “getting on plane” phase. This criteria was my most important one to me. My wife wants to be able to get up on a slalom ski while the boat is passenger loaded. I’m sure either motor would have done that from what I’ve experienced.

Fuel economy surprised me in a good way. I created a performance bulletin sheet in increments of 500 RPM. All three props on the E-TEC on this sheet had their best MPG at 3000 as did the Yamaha on it’s spec sheet. I got 4.5 MPG for the 14-3/4×18, 4.7 MPG for the 15×18 RX4, and 5.0 MPG for the 15×20 RX4. Yamaha bulletin had the 250 Offshore at 4.02 MPG at 3000 RPM. My measurements were taken from the E-TEC’s ICON 3.5C display… one of the three options of displays that come with the motor. I don’t know how Yamaha determines it’s fuel efficiency readings for it’s performance bulletin. As I went back to review these figures I still had my 15×18 RX4 prop on (the one that gave me my best hole shot). I wondered if it had better fuel efficiency somewhere between the 500 RPM increments for the bulletin data sheet I filled out. I found at 5300 RPM this prop also had 5.0 MPG on the ICON display.

At this point I questioned what my MPG was at max speed. I got between 2.6 and 2.7 MPG for all three props. Yamaha spec was at 2.19 MPG. Needless to say, I’m happy with the fuel economy figures. I was not expecting them to be this good.

A bit of history for the curious still reading this. I’m from Minnesota originally, but live in Spokane, WA. The dealer network for Skeeter boats was three strong in WA state as I was choosing to buy a boat. Once I decided to buy the Skeeter WX2060 my dealer network went from three to one, and the remaining dealer showed that in his bid being out of line with dealers in Utah, the Dakotas, or in MN / WI area. No, let me rephrase that, his prices were simply price gouging, and I felt even misrepresented the truth when discussing option pluses & minuses. Items clearly stated on the Skeeter option list (available on Skeeter website) as an option with a price deduct, he wasn’t even willing to apply a credit when every other dealer was. So, when I went home for Thanksgiving I had arranged to stop in and talk details with Justin at SBC. Their reputation going in, and through this day was and has been spectacular. That made a huge difference in my buying my hull and having my dealer prep done at SBC. For the long run though, I still had a preference for buying a motor local to Spokane for that direct to dealer relationship. It was one of those things that caused me to begin considering an E-TEC. After rebates and lower cost of install for rigging the E-TEC G2 (Internal steering saves some bucks), the cost for me to have an E-TEC vs. Yamaha was not appreciably more.

The Yamaha still has history on it’s side as a winner in long term reputation category vs the E-TEC G2. Time will tell if reliability will also be with the G2. As I’ve said before, In the end I’d probably be happy with either motor.

Interesting…I thought the G2 might have a little more pep on the top end. I messed around with a lot of different props on my dads 2060 and he now runs 54-55 fully loaded, 2 people and full fuel. Had some custom work done, only turns 5600 but hole shot is awesome!

Congrats on the new boat!

skeeter20 wrote:

Interesting…I thought the G2 might have a little more pep on the top end. I messed around with a lot of different props on my dads 2060 and he now runs 54-55 fully loaded, 2 people and full fuel. Had some custom work done, only turns 5600 but hole shot is awesome!

Congrats on the new boat!

What is your dad running for a prop on his WX2060?

Pro Series with some work done to it. Another great all around prop and runs good top end is the Turbo 1 19p. Dean Marshall ran that prop for quite some time.

Thanks for the prop ideas with the Pro Series & Turbo if they fit the hub kit for the E-TEC. My dealer also wants me to try the Rebel 3 blade 19″ pitch. I think I’m good for now for hole shot. My gut feel is my RX4 18″ will perform great on those days when I’m fishing in the AM, then swing in still loaded with fishing gear to pick up the family & a few friends for pulling up skiers. I’ll be carrying a spare prop, so it might as well be one for top end if one makes a difference enough. BRP took a look at my numbers via my dealer and even though I’m mounted correctly to try to move my motor up a hole for a bit better top end. Since my priority is hole shot, I’m going to leave it where it is for now until I can test the RX4 during one of those heavy family days and can also test a few of the props just mentioned for any possible top end improvement.

skeeter20… I grew up in Duluth and spend every weekend spring, summer & fall at my parent’s cabin on the Highbanks on Winnie. (Don’t own it now… was the 2nd cabin from the South end of all the Highbanks cabins.) I remember your area very well!

Rebel

No problem. It’s fun playing around with props as long as a guy don’t have to buy them all lol! I think if you find the right 19p it will be great all around. No reason a 250 ain’t running a 19p.

Nice! My dad’s family back in the day used to be on Highbanks. Awesome area

Jim,
A note from Yamaha contact that did the actual report.

The performance bulletin was proofed by 4 people after it was published. It’s looks accurate to me.

Thanks Dean. Also, a question… could you ask your contact how they measured fuel efficiency? Did they use readings from the Yamaha Smart Gauges or other measuring means?

Thanks to all for keeping a post of this nature friendly.

Still looking forward for others to post their real world 0-30 mph test result as skeeter20 and NDskeeter have offered.

Jim,
I do know they have a laptop plugged in while doing the reports. Is that different from the smart gauge, sorry I cant answer that.
Perhaps the only thing I can contribute is that these are done in Texas with significantly different environmental factors and are done so with the intent of a guideline for the consumer to use as a reference.

Thought I’d do a friendly bump to this thread to try to get a few other real world 0-30 mph times from others with WX2060 and the Yamaha 250 Offshore. Since the last posts to this thread I looked at the Yamaha performance bulletins for the 250 SHO on Skeeter bass boats and compared them to the published Yamaha performance bulletin on the WX2060 with 250 Offshore. Here is the summary:

WX2060/250 Offshore: Weight as Tested: 4349 lbs 0-30mph: 4.85 Sec
FX20 / 250 SHO: Weight as Tested: 3321 lbs 0-30mph: 6.83 Sec
ZX20 / 250 SHO: Weight as Tested: 3300 lbs 0-30mph: 6.86 Sec
ZX21 / 250 SHO: Weight as Tested: 3160 lbs 0-30mph: 6.03 Sec
20i / 250 SHO: Weight as Tested: 3220 lbs 0-30mph: 5.87 Sec

So, for a WX2060 that weighs 1/3 & 1000 lbs more and has a top speed of 20 mph less than the bass boats it still gets 2 seconds better 0-30 mph time? I’m sorry this just supports my thought that the WX2060’s 4.85 seconds still just doesn’t pass my sniff test. On the flip side I’m elated that I was able to match the 6.8 seconds of the FX20 & ZX20 with my WX2060. Again, would still love to hear some real world figures from others. Skeeter20 & NDSkeeter, feel free to PM me if you’d like.

I still haven’t got a chance to test the 2060. Been out in my boat every time. One thing to remember about bass boats is their hole shot isn’t very fast due to high pitch props.

Bass boats are usually pretty slow out of the hole when compared to a walleye boat. The two boats are propped very differently.