I have a 2002 Triton TR-21 with a 250 Merc XB I bought new. Today I had 3 guys total in the boat (approx. weight 600-700 lbs) and a full tank of gas. GPS top speed was 64 mph. Does that sound right? I know when I run by myself I get approx up to 10 mph diff. Just scared of the age of the motor.

I think with that much weight, that doesn't sound too bad to me.

Yes that is about right. I had that exact rig with an XB 250 Merc. Most boats will lose 8-10 mph when loaded heavily. You could play with props and maybe pick up a couple mph but it is a pain.

That's about right......

No sir something is way off. A TR21 with a 250XB will run 78 with two people in it. It will run faster than 64 mph with three people in it.

Sounds off to me as well. Had a buddy who had tr-21 with v-max 225 that ran 70 easily with 3 of us in it. What rpm are you turning with that XB?

I am thinking that boat should run 70 with three men in it. those were fast boats and that motor is not a slouch. Probably a prop and an engine height deal.

Yeah I figured someone would say their boat is a lot faster than that.

Most bass boats lose 8-10 mph from one person solo with a light load vesus full of fuel and three guys with all their junk. It all depends on your setup. Some boats lose a little less-some lose a little more.

My Legend 211 with a Yam 250 SHO will run about 74 with just me and a very light load. Fill it up with 3 guys and all their stuff, 50 gallons of gas, ice, drinks, livewells full and it'll run about 64.

The Triton TR 21 hull is faster than the Legend hull. I have owned two of them with Merc 250s. One was the XB the other was a Pro XS. I also owned a TR 22 with a Yam 300. All were great performing rigs.

They all lose a lot of speed heavily loaded guys. The ultra high perormance rigs that run triple digits lose even more speed when you load em down due the the high pitch props being less efficient at higher trim angles.

Owned five Bullets and two Allisons. Ain't my first rodeo.

Exactly Roger!

To get a boat to run faster you raise the motor up on the jackplate and run a higher pitch prop. The only problem with that is now when you load the boat down, you have to lower the motor to get the prop to lift the hull free of the water. It is a balancing act.

A TR 21 with an XB 250 would very likely run 80+ if setup optimally with a very light load. Put three guys in there and a full tank and you're gonna lose a bunch of speed. The older TR series Tritons took someone that knew how to drive a boat to get the maximum potential from them. That is another thing to take into consideration. I have taught probably 3 dozen people how to drive their own boats through the years. Lol

Adding weight totally changes the game. That XB is mule, no worries there. If you have a hydraulic JP, play with that, but watch your water pressure. Then go to the bank and withdraw $5,000 to invest in props, motor mods and accessories. Don't ask me how I know this.

Simple physics. The closer you set up your boat for optimum speed the greater the loss of MPH will be when loaded vs light load. If you want your boat(any brand)to loose little when loaded simply prop it and set it up to top out @ 55mph unloaded. You will loose very little when you add another 750lbs in gear and fuel. Same guy who says his boat looses a couple mph heavy vs light is the same guy who says his diesel truck gets 20mpg towing or not. :-)

Mine don't slow down to 64 mph with three people in. I can still run a little over 70 with three people. Been driving the same TR21 for over 10 years. It don't slow down 10+ mph.

It isn't my first rodeo either, I am in the racing business;) http://www.fastlanenitrous.com

It may run 67 with a couple of 350lb passengers..lol

Its all about his set up Fast Lane. Every boat is different. Depending on his motor height, prop, set back, etc, his boat may not carry a load as well as yours. There are many variables that come into play.

Great points guys and thanks for the info. If I feel like it I will look at prop and height adjustment with Jack Plate. For the record I had a full tank of gas and 3 guys averaging 230 lbs per each.

Conpletely normal. Stop worrying and go fish

If you fish loaded like that even once a month, the holeshot is nicer than the 2mph you might see over current top end. If you fish like that once a week or half the times yoi go out, maybe even consider propping down to lower top speed than current theoretical which you will never see fully loaded like that, and just get on pad and underway quicker.

I ride in a ton of very fast boats. Very few people drive them very fast. I ride in a few very quick boats, and those guys explode put of every single spot they are in, and cruise at same averge speeds as the guys who are running "the hottest setup" and have "80mph+" rigs.

90% of anglers probably spend more time accelerating and cruising below vmax than pushing the limit of their rigs 95%+ of the time they are on the water. Keeping up with the Jones's is for checkbook warriors and dudes in free boats... And I'm not certain I have ever seen the fastest boat at the ramp win at weigh in