Best Engine in the History of Bass Fishing

I am amazed at all the steals on the market for lightly used 2018 BassCat's with 2-Stroke Pro XS's. You would think people were trying to unload a 1985 Force? The 2-Stroke Pro XS was the staple of our industry and the engine that all others were measured by. I see one year low hour promotional boat priced at a potential $10K loss. Why everyone so afraid of what was the arguably best engine for a bass boat ever made. They are not obsolete? I think people in the market should really be looking at buying now, you could own an almost new Lynx with warranty for the price of a new boat with a 200. Crazy times!!??

This topic has 22 replies, 16 voices, and was last updated 5 years, 4 months ago by SteveD.

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September 4, 2019 at 8:04 pm #677601

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

No doubt the engine is well proven.

September 5, 2019 at 3:33 am #677610

speck
Participant

Buddy just had the compressor go out on his 200 opti this past weekend stranding him. Of course it is a 2010 model.

September 10, 2019 at 9:10 am #677801

Jones TrollingMotor
Participant

Steve, you statement ” arguably best engine for a bass boat ever made” is certainly a matter of opinion. I don’t know if you’re old enough to remember several years back and the Opti is certainly one of the best, but as to the best, it was hard to beat the old 4cylinder 90 degree V’s from OMC. These included the 115, the 135 and the 140. Another one to give the Opti a run for the money is the 2.5 Mercury, either in a 135, 150 (workhorse for years) and 175. I do agree with you that shying away from the 3.0 Mercury because the new 4 strokes are out doesn’t make sense.

BTW, I run a 3.0 225 on my Puma and it does really well

John

September 10, 2019 at 1:35 pm #677813

SteveD
Participant

John unfortunately I am old enough to remember all of those lol. I have owned my share of XR4’s and XRI 150’s. Those smokin lil dudes were work horses.

September 12, 2019 at 5:39 pm #677931

oldtimer57
Participant

Also hard to forget the Merc XR-6. Stout motor, ran forever, without all the electronics of EFI and such. They spent a TON of time and money developing that motor which became the standard to beat.

September 12, 2019 at 7:18 pm #677935

Redngoo
Participant

I had 88 model i purchased in 89. XR4.That i sold in 2013. Never had even a wrench or electrical component replaced. Never even had to fool with the carbs. I did did remove the oil pump and always run the fuel out. Only the usual pms and plugs. Great motor!

September 12, 2019 at 7:39 pm #677941

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

This may surprise everyone, though we really like the old Johnson/Evinrude Fastrike and Intruder Series. Great products and seemed to still be durable.

September 14, 2019 at 10:24 am #678015

SLumpp
Participant

I think for best engine one would be really hard pressed to find a more dependable one than the old 8,9.9,15,etc tiller johnsons and evinrudes. I am amazed everytime I venture into upper Wisconsin and still see them kicking.

September 16, 2019 at 6:19 pm #678102

dcmclassic
Participant

On my third 2.5 Merc 200. Had two Pro XS’s also. It’s a shame to see people shying away from the two strokes with the deals that are out on the used market. Though my current 2.5 is trashed I bought the boat that way, the rest of the boat was neglected as well. Mr Coleman in Houston will have me fixed up soon though.

Never had many problems with my Merc two strokes, especially the Pro XS. My 14 PII had a ProXS that had to get the fuel pump diaphragm replaced one time and that was it. Nothing else needed but regular maintenance.

November 18, 2019 at 8:21 pm #679791

nightcaller
Participant

I had a Mercury 175 EFI around the 2002 vintage that was amazing. 100% reliable powerhead. Loved it. 9 full seasons.

November 19, 2019 at 1:56 am #679799

Cajunhunter67
Participant

Myself, I want the new 4 stroke for its torque alone, and taller RPM band then an issue of durability. I believe that’s where the thought process falls with the 2 stroke having a issue of resale.

November 19, 2019 at 7:11 am #679803

Wheelman
Participant

I’ll throw out the Suzuki BASS 150 of the 90s as it used the 2.7L block same as their offshore 225, detuned for longevity. It had EFI and dual plugs per cylinder, the only downside was it was heavier than the 150s of the time though made up for it with torque and gearing.

November 19, 2019 at 8:23 am #679804

Chuck Bumpilori
Participant

In response to Steve Doty’s Assertion as being old enough, my history goes back beyond the XR’2 day’s. That and several OMC engines as well! I guess today regardless of how well kept and maintained our 2 strokes are it boils down to perception over reality! As in politics preception is 90% and reality 10%. As Steve states there is nothing wrong with the ProXs 2 strokes, and there is an abundance of mega deals out there if folks get off there hands and check them out, ask for a check ride, I’m sure most if not all will gladly take you out! Just by looking some of these “deals” are not open-ended, those that are looking, better look hard!! May not be around long!

November 19, 2019 at 11:32 am #679808

Greg88
Participant

Yes the 3.0 is a a great engine and only time will tell how the new four strokes hold up but the SHO only hurt there sales slightly and yes my old 2.5 XR6 was a good motor only time will tell I have less than 5 hrs on my 3.0 250 pro xs but I do like how it starts in cooler weather.

November 19, 2019 at 5:08 pm #679812

Wheelman
Participant

Surprises me that people think the new 4-strokes would use less fuel. It takes X amount of fuel to make X amount of power, if an engine utilizes direct injection it is going to run at a leaner AFR and therefore burn less fuel vs a port injected motor which is not as efficient.

http://www.bbcboards.net/showthread.php?t=1018234
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