150 XS on a 20 foot Pontoon

[Old Navy]

I just got a deal on a 150 XS Mercury. I pretty much know its a bass boat motor. My old toon with a little 25 hp was completely pathetic since we moved to a bigger lake. Any help on setting it up to work good. The boat is a 2014 Sylvan 8520.

 

[Hack]

Wow... That'll make the 20' toon fly. My 2015 23RFC Xcursion has a F90 (90 hp) Yamaha on it, and I can only get 22 mph (gps) out of it with 1-2 people on board. I debated getting the F115, but for the extra $$$ it wasn't going to get me much more top end. On the lake I'm on, I've seen quite a few with Big OB's. There's one out there with a Merc 250 Optimax on it. But it's a tri-toon. Pretty much overkill, but I'd like to step up to 200 hp Yamaha F200 on my next one (which I'm thinking about doing over the winter).

Was the deal on just the engine or did it include all the rigging? Does your Sylvan's have enough transom to support the extra weight? Factory shows max hp for the LE 8520 as 125hp (bi-toon - 200hp tri-toon). Should really fly with that much hanging off the back.

What are you thinking for prop?

 

[Old Navy]

I don't know what prop to get. I have asked the dealer for a quote on the optional center toon.

 

[Chellems]

We run a 25' Crest Pontoon with 175 Johnson she will do 28 MPH GPS with a 16P 4 Blade SS. Comes out of the hole like it was shot from a cannon!
Love that living room on the water!

 

[Old Navy]

The motor came off a reposessed Checkmate, so its close to my heart. The price was right, and it's a clean unit.

 

[Chellems]

The motor came off a reposessed Checkmate, so its close to my heart. The price was right, and it's a clean unit.

Enjoy that 150 Merc that will be a riot.

 

[Old Navy]

I still don't know where to start for a prop. BBlades said a 17P rev 4, but that seems like a odd prop for a toon. Plus I want it for this weekend and he said no way, as they don't drop ship from Merc. My local boat store said a 15x15 would be a good start but they do not loan props....what to do?

 

[Problem Child]

Throw an aluminum on it for starter. I ran a few on my 150 bass boat and still hauled it. Gander Mountain have them on the shelf cheap.

 

[Hack]

Throw an aluminum on it for starter.

^^^^ That would be my suggestion too.

 

[capt911]

The motor came off a reposessed Checkmate, so its close to my heart. The price was right, and it's a clean unit.

Wow I just bought a 1972 MX16 Mate not long ago with a 135 Black Max. Your XS150 would be period correct and look great on there if it is the old tower of power XS150's like I raced in the 70's?

If it is will have the low water pickup on the lower unit. If that is the case their collector motors and it should go on something more than a toon, IMHO.

I also have an old 1990 Ozark deck boat I bought cheap with a good running 140 OMC first year VRO that still works great. I hate mixing gas and oil if I do not have to. I love the deck space of a pontoon but like the ride and planning ability of a hill under me. I can pull slalom skier as fast as they want to go. Boat runs close 40 with 2-3 on board.

Anyway I am rambling but you have a gem of a motor if it is one of the old XS150's. Let us know what you finally do with it

 

[Old Navy]

No, Its a 2011 motor, not an old one.

 

[Old Navy]

It's been up and running about a week. I have the motor mounted at the lowest setting, so its really deep and is scrubbing off speed and spraying a lot of water. I am going to raise it up a bit. The boat needs to be underskinned. I am considering lifting strakes. I got a 3 blade merc round ear with a double cupped prop. So far it does 34 mph gps and rockets out of the hole like a drag car! The boat went from awful to awesome!

 

[Problem Child]

You know the drill lol.