V-6 Verado

[Skip 7750]

Just wondering if anyone has put a 250-350 Verado on a Checkmate 21 pulsare. I know it is really heavy, but how would it work with a 6" jackplate. I am sure someone has tried it. If you have, I am curious about how it performed.

 

[ckaluger]

I would think the additional 165 lbs over a ProXs would be too much. And at equivalent horse powers, the DFI 2 strokes will out perform the V-Rods.

Anyway, just my opinion!!

 

[Sam I am]

This debate goes on a lot over on the Walleye boards. The pros/cons are pretty clear cut for each.

V-Rod:
Pros - Quiet, strong, straight gas
Cons - Heavy, less fuel efficient (fact)

2 stroke:
Pros - Lighter, more fuel efficient, better top end performance
Cons - Louder, Needs oil, not as torquey on the bottom.

I've run both. I've loved my Fourstrokes and my 2 strokes. There's a Pulsare out there cheap with a V-Rod on it right now. It's so a$$ low in the water it's ridiculous. If you put a jackplate on one will only be worse. The 2400's seem to handle the V-Rod weight without any problems. I know those guys are reinforcing their transoms so on a 2100 I'd take the same precautions.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[JUPITER PULSARE]

No issue at all on the Pulsare 2400. I'm running an Atlas 8" hyd Jackplate and spinning a Bravo One 24 @ 71+mph GPS..No transom reinforcement other than some monster transom savers on the inside to help distribute the load. James, Hayabasa, did reinforce his transom but, at the time, he was running an extremely high setback (15") and now has a 400R. Since then he has reduced his setback to 6." You have to remember, the VRods have 5" of setback built into the design...

 

[karzrus]

I don't have an answer, but have noticed a few 2100's for sale over the past couple of years with them. (Mostly 250s)

This got me wondering about putting a 350Vrod on a 2100. Only because used ones have dropped in price with the new 400r out. If it was only on a 4 or 6" jackplate you might be OK, get a bunch of performance and be able to talk at cruising speeds. The challenge would be finding one with a 20" mid section as they would be rather uncommon.

Who gives a poop if your fuel mileage suffers a bit. Not why I bought a boat and if you really care, still better mileage than an I/O boat.

 

[Sam I am]

Yeah...I here you on the fuel range/mileage. It's funny how some communities really pay attention to it and others don't...shockingly, the Checkmate community doesn't. lol

My dream mate is a 2400BRX with a big Verado. Love yours Jup.

 

[Mark]

Hey Skip
The 250 and 300 Vrod are around 635# and the 350 around 668#. Your Etec is in the 500# range. Get your wife to stand on the motor and you'll know. Not making any judgments on your wife...

The Verado is a thirsty motor at higher rpm.

 

[Skip 7750]

I was curious because I saw an ad with a Verado on a 2100 and wondered how it ran. They are really nice on pontoon boats because they are so quiet. Way too heavy for a 2100

If you ever broke a Verado, I would hate to get the repair bill!

I am still wondering how they run on a 2100, even though I think that they are too heavy.

If I told my wife too sit on the motor, she would wait until I went to sleep, rap me up in a sheet, and beat me to death with a lamp

Skip

 

[Sam I am]

V-Rods are pretty reliable...off shore guys put thousands of hours on verados. They literally never shut them off. I saw the add you're looking at and part of me wonders if a Verado would work better on a BR as it has more weight up front. Jup's BR looks killer. You could buy that 2100 with the Verado, sell the motor if you don't like it and and swap in something else and still be okay. That boat was priced very well.

 

[blacktruck]

Just wondering if anyone has put a 250-350 Verado on a Checkmate 21 pulsare. I know it is really heavy, but how would it work with a 6" jackplate. I am sure someone has tried it. If you have, I am curious about how it performed.

For the 21 it's a poor choice, weight will slow it down and cause bad handling. The Pulsare is relatively light, get the lightest power to weight you can in a pulsare.

 

[JUPITER PULSARE]

For the 21 it's a poor choice, weight will slow it down and cause bad handling. The Pulsare is relatively light, get the lightest power to weight you can in a pulsare.

When you break down the specs there's not as much difference as you think:

A Mercury Verado Pro 300 (20" shaft) weighs 635lbs and includes the power steering. It also has a built in 5" setback in the design of the clamp.

A Mercury 300XS (20" shaft) weighs 505lbs. Now add the weight of the steering ram (guesstimating 10lbs) and a 5" setback bracket guesstimating 25lbs) and you're up to 540lbs which is only 95lbs more than the Verado..which has DTS (digital shift/throttle & power steering)...mmmmm

 

[blacktruck]

When you break down the specs there's not as much difference as you think:

A Mercury Verado Pro 300 (20" shaft) weighs 635lbs and includes the power steering. It also has a built in 5" setback in the design of the clamp.

A Mercury 300XS (20" shaft) weighs 505lbs. Now add the weight of the steering ram (guesstimating 10lbs) and a 5" setback bracket guesstimating 25lbs) and you're up to 540lbs which is only 95lbs more than the Verado..which has DTS (digital shift/throttle & power steering)...mmmmm

It's pretty significant, you have to run a bracket on the Vrod too. Add the fact that a 300XS puts out more power and at those speeds you want the SM lower unit, it's a huge difference. On the 2400 the Vrod works, but the 300XS is way faster. You would really want to look at the transom too, it's not the best transoms in the world. I redid my 21 Pulsare transom a few years ago, not sure how long it would've lasted with 250 more lbs compared to my 2.5.

 

[blacktruck]

It's pretty significant, you have to run a bracket on the Vrod too. Add the fact that a 300XS puts out more power and at those speeds you want the SM lower unit, it's a huge difference. On the 2400 the Vrod works, but the 300XS is way faster. You would really want to look at the transom too, it's not the best transoms in the world. I redid my 21 Pulsare transom a few years ago, not sure how long it would've lasted with 250 more lbs compared to my 2.5.

I think even the 500 lbs motors are pushing it but the Merc Racing 250xs, 300xs are amazing, the G2 250 HO is a beast (heavy but steering is built in), followed by the Pro XS mercs. But, if you really want a 4 stroke, the Yamaha Vmax SHO is pretty awesome.

It's too bad they don't make a light 2.5 200xs like they used to but the 175 Pro XS would be a great economical choice, probably touch 69 maybe 70 on a 21. Really good value.

 

[karzrus]

I think even the 500 lbs motors are pushing it but the Merc Racing 250xs, 300xs are amazing, the G2 250 HO is a beast (heavy but steering is built in), followed by the Pro XS mercs. But, if you really want a 4 stroke, the Yamaha Vmax SHO is pretty awesome.

It's too bad they don't make a light 2.5 200xs like they used to but the 175 Pro XS would be a great economical choice, probably touch 69 maybe 70 on a 21. Really good value.

Checkmate has 10" jackplates,hydraulic steering and 500lb+ motors as factory options with tons sold that way. While it might be the max weight and setback the factory can warranty, it's hardly the limit or pushing it. A 505lb motor at 14-16" of setback with steering and oil tank works for guys like Wildman who sells them that way, maybe that is pushing it.

 

[blacktruck]

Checkmate has 10" jackplates,hydraulic steering and 500lb+ motors as factory options with tons sold that way. While it might be the max weight and setback the factory can warranty, it's hardly the limit or pushing it. A 505lb motor at 14-16" of setback with steering and oil tank works for guys like Wildman who sells them that way, maybe that is pushing it.

Ya, so why would you want to run a Verado that is heavier and less performance orientated? It makes absolutely zero sense. More weight on the back of the transom is bad for handling. I've owned my 21 since new, 1997, I know the boat pretty well. It can run a 300 XS for sure, if you know how to drive but it is definitely getting close to the limit. And, if the 300 XS was lighter it would be better, for sure. Not debatable at all.

Do you want to know what Wildman thinks of Verados?
- "The 350 Verado only turns 400 more rpm. I'm sure not gonna buy one at $27,000 and anothe $2500-$3000 for controls and steering. The 275-300 Verados are turds on a 24 Pulsare."
Found here: http://checkmate-boats.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14998

Why would you want to argue such a dumb point. Heavy motors suck for performance in general and suck even more the smaller and lighter the boat is.

 

[Jimway]

Let us 'calm thyself' for a moment or two. No need to go personally negative stuff like zero sense, not debatable, and dumb point. Possibly the quietness of the four stroke might be of some interest, not to mention reliability, and the low end grunt available when engaged in water sports. No stink and enviornmentally friendly too. We're just wondering how the vessel in question 'runs' with the Verado. The whole rig which is what, less than half of the original cost of the motor? Is'nt this motor an inline six cylinder, four cycle engine?

 

[karzrus]

Ya, so why would you want to run a Verado that is heavier and less performance orientated? It makes absolutely zero sense. More weight on the back of the transom is bad for handling. I've owned my 21 since new, 1997, I know the boat pretty well. It can run a 300 XS for sure, if you know how to drive but it is definitely getting close to the limit. And, if the 300 XS was lighter it would be better, for sure. Not debatable at all.

Do you want to know what Wildman thinks of Verados?
- "The 350 Verado only turns 400 more rpm. I'm sure not gonna buy one at $27,000 and anothe $2500-$3000 for controls and steering. The 275-300 Verados are turds on a 24 Pulsare."
Found here: http://checkmate-boats.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14998

Why would you want to argue such a dumb point. Heavy motors suck for performance in general and suck even more the smaller and lighter the boat is.

Because the only time I like the noise coming from my 250xs is when I'm boating by myself, or if there are a few of us and we are going 55+ so the wind noise is louder than the motor, the rest of the time it sucks. I'm thinking a 350 Verado would beat my 250xs and that I could pick a used one up for about half what they cost new.

From Wildman's quote it sounds like he has a problem with the price, I don't blame him or you for thinking they are not a good value. But that does not make them a poor choice, just expensive.

Wildman hasn't built a 2400 with a 400R yet, I bet once he does he will be singing it's praises, posting video and telling everyone how great it is just like he does now with his 300xs versions.

 

[blacktruck]

Because the only time I like the noise coming from my 250xs is when I'm boating by myself, or if there are a few of us and we are going 55+ so the wind noise is louder than the motor, the rest of the time it sucks. I'm thinking a 350 Verado would beat my 250xs and that I could pick a used one up for about half what they cost new.

From Wildman's quote it sounds like he has a problem with the price, I don't blame him or you for thinking they are not a good value. But that does not make them a poor choice, just expensive.

Wildman hasn't built a 2400 with a 400R yet, I bet once he does he will be singing it's praises, posting video and telling everyone how great it is just like he does now with his 300xs versions.

When he says turd, he's talking about the performance. And ya, they're expensive too but that has nothing to do with why it's not a good choice. The weight, 150 lbs more, the rubber steering mounts, no SM lower, and marginally more HP than a 300 XS make it a poor choice. It would make the boat handle really poorly at high speed.

Have you tried wind deflectors, they are amazing, make a world of difference for noise. With mine I can have a normal conversation with people in the boat.

Definitely try The Vrod though and report back.

 

[blacktruck]

Let us 'calm thyself' for a moment or two. No need to go personally negative stuff like zero sense, not debatable, and dumb point. Possibly the quietness of the four stroke might be of some interest, not to mention reliability, and the low end grunt available when engaged in water sports. No stink and enviornmentally friendly too. We're just wondering how the vessel in question 'runs' with the Verado. The whole rig which is what, less than half of the original cost of the motor? Is'nt this motor an inline six cylinder, four cycle engine?

I agree, it wasn't meant to be personal. I find some people seem to argue for the sake of arguing on here, completely dismissing the clear information provided. My fault if the response was interpreted that way.

Specifically, despite the drawbacks of the weight and performance characteristics of the Vrod, you want to look at the emissions, typically the new 2 strokes are about the same or better in some cases. Check each motor and how it is used. For a heavy fishing boat, or a center console, 350 Verados are great motors, for light weight performance boats they are not and even Mercury would tell you that.