200 Pro XS vs Yamaha 4St 200

[DuaneB]

Hi,

I see the majority of newer Checkmates are fitted with Merc Pro XS Motors. Other than the fact that this is what the factory supplies do these motors have much of an advantage over a 200hp Yamaha 4 Stroke, i.e. is the gear case lower drag ? output higher ? offers wider range of props ?

Thanks

Duane.

 

[JW]

Hi,

I see the majority of newer Checkmates are fitted with Merc Pro XS Motors. Other than the fact that this is what the factory supplies do these motors have much of an advantage over a 200hp Yamaha 4 Stroke, i.e. is the gear case lower drag ? output higher ? offers wider range of props ?

Thanks

Duane.

If you're looking for the most hole shot and top speed performance, the equivalent 2-stroke still has an edge over the four stroke motors in most cases. For instance, I've been researching 150 hp outboards for performance tri-toons, and the V6 Merc Opti and Evinrude ETEC still outperform the 150 four stroke competitors. Same goes for Checkmates and bass boats. The direct injected V6 outboards produce more power over the rev range at a lighter weight than four strokes.
Now, if you're thinking 400+ hp, then your only choice is four stroke. Amazing the amount of power Mercury is getting out of a 2.6 liter engine.

 

[john lamon]

What JW said, plus the 200 pro xs is actually 219 hp, some people want to quietness of a 4 stroke, I'd sooner have the power, the difference can be seen in the small motors as well, I tried a 2015 25 hp Mercury 4 stroke on my fishing boat last year and my old 1985 25 hp 2 stroke will absolutely destroy it for power, not even close.

The pro verados are impressive though thats for sure, really strong.

 

[ForbesZ]

If you're looking for the most hole shot and top speed performance, the equivalent 2-stroke still has an edge over the four stroke motors in most cases. For instance, I've been researching 150 hp outboards for performance tri-toons, and the V6 Merc Opti and Evinrude ETEC still outperform the 150 four stroke competitors. Same goes for Checkmates and bass boats. The direct injected V6 outboards produce more power over the rev range at a lighter weight than four strokes.
Now, if you're thinking 400+ hp, then your only choice is four stroke. Amazing the amount of power Mercury is getting out of a 2.6 liter engine.

Well put JW. Both are great motors so I think it's largely about power-to-weight and not so much the gear case, selection of props, and those sorts of things. And the 2s still has the edge over 4s in power and weight. Also keep in mind that the performance differences at the top end on a v-pad boat are probably compounded a little with additional weight hanging off the back - the pad is of fixed surface area so the more weight you have back there the more speed you're going to need to get up on pad (and either way you'll still only have 200 HP to work with).

If you want to keep the performance aspect of the playing field *somewhat* level, you might want to consider comparing a 200 ProXS with a 225 (or 250) Yamaha 4s.

 

[ianz]

power to weight. Still today the 2-stroke motor makes more power and real power vs the same HP 4 stroke. Now I have heard some good things about the Yamaha 4.0l 4stroke 225 but that is limited.

Checkmates are light and at 60+ MPH the noise is way behind you.

 

[DuaneB]

The Yamaha I am looking at is the 4 Cylinder 2.8 L, its 70% of the price of the newer 4.2 and has a good reputation in my area.

I can also get a good deal on the 3.3 L 200/250 but this engine is 276Kg vs 221Kg for the 2.8.

The newer 4.2 is in the middle at 255Kgs for 250hp but the price is a big barrier on this one.

Is 276Kg pushing it for a 20 foot boat ?

Duane B

 

[ForbesZ]

The Yamaha I am looking at is the 4 Cylinder 2.8 L, its 70% of the price of the newer 4.2 and has a good reputation in my area.

I can also get a good deal on the 3.3 L 200/250 but this engine is 276Kg vs 221Kg for the 2.8.

The newer 4.2 is in the middle at 255Kgs for 250hp but the price is a big barrier on this one.

Is 276Kg pushing it for a 20 foot boat ?

Duane B

I think the boat would handle the 276Kg just fine from a structural standpoint, although I'd be hesitant to put that much weight on the back of 16" of setback because that's a lot of leverage on the transom. I mention the setback only because all the Pulsares (including the 2000 BRX) are noticeably faster with setbacks in the 15-16" range whereas the CMC "Power Lift" jack plate provided on the boat from the factory is only 5.5" setback. So I guess what I'm saying is that the 4s will run fine but it just won't be as fast as the 2s because it has three aspects that will negatively impact speed: less power, more weight, and potentially a limit to how much setback you can use. That having been said, if you care more about serviceability than top speed the Yamaha might be the better choice for you given where you are and what you have to deal with to get the motor fixed if you have a problem. Also, I don't know how familiar you are with driving a V-pad boat, but if you don't know what chine walking is and/or don't want to deal with it, then you might want to just get the 2.8L Yamaha 200 as it probably wouldn't be able to push the BRX much into chine walking speeds.

 

[DuaneB]

"Also, I don't know how familiar you are with driving a V-pad boat, but if you don't know what chine walking is and/or don't want to deal with it ..."

Getting upto chine walking speeds is the whole motivation for buying a Checkmate isn't it ? my current 18ft Viper Ski Boat probably does everything else better than a Pulsare - more room, more storage, more seats, nicer interior, more water sports friendly, excellent for near shore sports fishing and a 15 year old Ocean pro engine that probably has another trouble free 15 years high temperature, saltwater use in it.

But it doesn't have anything over 48mph and no pad to balance on.

I am still stuck between the Yamaha and Merc, the Yamaha is being offered with power steering, is this a good idea on a pad boat ? I know that at tow speeds it will make the boat a lot easier for the wife to drive, but is it 'a good to have' at pad speeds ?

Thanks

Duane

 

[JW]

Would have to know what power steering is being offered with that Yamaha. For high speeds you need tight control, which means Sea Star Pro hydraulic steering (which some have called 'power' but isn't) or external ram hydraulic. Or a good dual cable system. Steering manufacturers will rate their systems by max hp and speed. See if you can get that info. Not many steering systems are rated above 55 mph.

 

[ForbesZ]

Getting upto chine walking speeds is the whole motivation for buying a Checkmate isn't it ?

I personally think it is, but it's often hard to tell from an online profile what boating experience people have. Also the 2400 BRX doesn't have a pad and neither do any of the ZTs or Convincors as far as I know, so not all CM's are going to experience chine walk. I know the 2000 BRX definitely does, especially if you don't have the setback and prop shaft height quite right. With mine, I have found that 10" lift on 16" setback puts the prop shaft at a level that virtually eliminates the chine walking. Since no jack plate has 10" vertical lift the only way you can get that is with a static plate that has 4" prelift bolted to an adjustable jack place with up to 6" lift. The transom bolts are really low on the 2000 BRX so getting the motor high enough takes a little doing, plus you have to do all the setback with jack plates because there is no setback built into the hull like there is on other v-pad and bass boats.

 

[DuaneB]

Lots of good information again, Thanks ForbesZ.

One easy question and one a little more involved, easy first -

My kids like to kneeboard and Tube, is there enough clearance between the motor and rope for these low rope angle tow sports ?

and then ...

How does the boat perform at lower speeds for watersports and cruising with the high lift and extended set back, does it porpoise of settle nicely ?

Long story short, I hear you recommending setback for performance and stability at max speed, I could get the boat rigged this way but would not want to loose everyday usability at lower speeds for cruising between fishing spots and towing the kids.

(Should also add, usability for me wakeboarding/kneeboarding while my wife is driving - my current boat tends to drop off the plane if towing into a the breeze at 20-22mph, especially if its just light weight wife and kids on board - works much better with second family to sit up front.)

Thanks

Duane.

 

[ForbesZ]

My kids like to kneeboard and Tube, is there enough clearance between the motor and rope for these low rope angle tow sports ?

Yes there is because I tend to have the hydraulic transom jack all the way down when I am doing water sports. I tow my daughter and her friends around in a tube behind mine and the tow rope doesn't touch the motor. For the tube I'm using my old water ski rope with the last section removed (the section with the handle) so it's about 65' long I'd say.

How does the boat perform at lower speeds for watersports and cruising with the high lift and extended set back, does it porpoise of settle nicely ?

If I have it jacked and trimmed all the way down and the motor tucked under as far as it will go, it will stay on plane down to 20 MPH like your current boat and it doesn't porpoise. It will start to porpoise in the 20-30 MPH range if I start to trim it out though. This is with the 16" setback so if you went with something like 12" setback you'd have less porpoise and would be able to stay on plane at slightly slower speeds (but you'll lose a few MPH on your top speed). Speeds below 20 can be maintained but I have to constantly adjust the throttle to do that. These hulls have very little bow rise when you take off with the trim all the way down so they don't really "plow". In fact, if it weren't for having to constantly adjust the throttle it would be difficult to tell that you aren't on plane at speeds from 15-20 MPH. That said I am thinking of adding a drag plate to the motor - I've been in other go-fast boats that have them and they make a big difference in how slow you can go and still stay on plane. They also reduce porpoise when the jack plate is down and the drag plate is in the water too, and when you want to go fast, you can just raise the jack plate a couple inches and it's totally out of the water.

Hope that helps.

 

[Mmarsh1990]

I think most people here will just stick with the 2 stroke is better than 4 arguement but it does go past that. Mercury offers way more prop options, more gearcase options, and the sound is unbeatable. If you want a performance boat, put an opti on her. Dont stop at 200 though, the 250 weighs the same.