WOW!! That's about enough to change my mind if I didn't wonder if Evinrude has "finished" the motor by now. Now I'm seriously considering making the change....after all, the shop at the lake is a warranty outlet for Merc.

Does anyone have a Verado? Apparently the Optimax XS rocks but how does it compare to the Verado? Why do I want a 4 stroke? I don't think I do but I need to know why.

This is so hard.

two words mercury xs

That's what I'm thinking now....but I want to know about the Verado.....what's the deal? If its not better than what Mercury aready had then why make it? Why don't I want one? Mercury's website isn't too helpful with the Verado or maybe I'm just not looking in the right place.

Nautilus here is a comparison I found....
http://www.wmi.org/www/boating/boatboard/T27108.htm

This is a drag race video from Evinrude so take it for what it's worth...
http://www.evinrude.com/en-US/HomeVideo.htm

I have a 20 year old Evinrude because that is what came on my boat a couple years ago. I don't really have an opinion one way or another as I am not in the market and haven't researched it too much.

Thanks Dadda,

I guess someone is lying 'cause I keep reading contradictory information. Sure makes it hard to make a descision.

There's no doubt that Evinrude is faster out of the hole but it sounds like Merc is higher top end. The one thing that is still making me lean towards the Rude is the sound.....it sure would be nice to talk while riding to the other side of the lake.

Here is a very technical and it appears to be a non biased report.
http://bassandwalleyeboats.com/output.cfm?id=1059733

Good luck with your decision...either way you will be happy and going very fast.

That's the one that has made me re-consider the Merc...now I just need closure.

How long is the break-in period for an XS and what does it consist of?

The part of that article that erks me is that the Evinrude was not even complete, with a lightning lower unit on it, and almost performed as well as the Merc....this lends the idea that an E-tec bought today may very well be a better motor in every light. What a predicament.

A buddy of mine just bought a 21' Legend with a 225 XS on it. We were at Bridgeport on Wed. and he said the computer controls the breakin period now and limits your RPM's for you.
All I know is that it screamed.

That sounds easy enough....its not like you have to idle around for a month huh? NICE BOAT!!!

OK, what would be the differece in an E-tec HO and a regular E-tec? I noticed that they don't make the 250 in an HO...why and what is it? Is this the same as the "XS"?? Why does Merc not make a 250 XS? The answer to this question may make my descision...can anyone shed any light on it? Is it High-Output and Xtra Speed? LOL....neither website explains it very well if at all.

You hit the nail on the head there is not enough places to get it serviced if needed. You go anywhere off the beaten track theres always a merc or yamaha dealer. That can`t be said for evinrude johnson now. In past yes but now ?
That`s what would influence my decision.

OK...let's say I go Merc, which is what I think I'm gonna do, is there really no 250XS? Oh well, I guess the 225 will work. Would the 250 Verado outperform the 225XS? I only get to do this once....what would you guys want if you could have either?

the xs means its from the racing division at mercury. Mercury has offered the 250xs since about 2003 and they recently came out with the 225 pro xs, which is about the strongest 225 I've ever seen out of the box. It's supposed to be a detuned 250xs. I haven't heard too much about the verado except for that its too heavy. Personally, with all the new concepts on it, power steering, supercharger, etc., I would be scared to buy one the year or two its on the market. And the same for the e-tec.

I don't know much about evinrudes so I cant help too much there.

Mercury didn't post anything they were beat in.
They didn't post yamahas holeshot numbers probably because the pro xs was spanked by the hpdi and the top end was 85 at 5500 rpm for the yamaha and 90 at 5900 for the pro xs. I imagine they can get more out of the yamaha.

What boat are you going to put it on?

Its going on a 21-23' fishmaster CC. Sorry I just haven't taken the time to look at the model number in the 2 years I've had it. Its a deep boat and rated for a 200 but I won't have it much longer and don't want to buy a new engine when I get a bigger boat.....hence the 250.

I guess I meant to ask...is there no 250 pro XS? Why is there no 250 2 stroke mentioned on Mercury's website....I'm confused. Is there no 250 anymore....is that where the Verado steps in?