Mercury Racing
2.5 XS Optimax
Review

1-888-362-3474

Email Me Here

Mercury Racing 2.5 litre xs Optimax

 2.5 XS 

Also See: Mercury Outboards for Sale

Good ideas are cool, great ideas are awesome, making a great idea even better is just plain killer. The good idea was opti max Technology. The great idea was making the XS line of Opti Max, The killer idea was when the wizards of engineering at Mercury Racing created the 2.5 XS.

In the past 3 years I have known that I am the luckiest fishing guide in all the land. every day that I leave the dock with my people I can look back on my transom and know that we are leaving safe refuge with the very latest in technology given to the outboard world. For the last year it has been the 2.5 XS.

The 2.5 XS was designed to fill the spot in the lineup for the 225 x or (225 Promax) from Mercury Racings Stable of thoroughbred outboard motors. As the need for more environmentally approved outboard motors was coming closer it was inevitable that Mercury Racing had to do something to make high performance out board power more environmentally sound. This is where the XS line of motors comes from. Get this, race capable motors that Idle, Don't Smoke, Get AWESOME fuel economy, and develop enough torque and horsepower to rival their environmentally unfriendly relatives. The XS line of motors is the answer.

I have been running the 2.5 XS now since about mid October 03. As you may have seen in some of my other articles I was running the 200XS on the same style hull only difference is about 300lbs of weight the, older boat was heavier. Just to reflect a bit the 200xs was the first in the line of 2.5 liter Opti Maxs to develop over 200 HP. A great motor with a 2.5 mid and a decent assortment of Gears to play with on a torque master or sport master gear case. I really love that motor for several reasons. One it was huge on fuel economy in the mids, the top speed RPM were 6500 allowing me to utilize more range in pitch for propping out my boats. Great hole shots and top speeds out running the old 2.5 carb 200.  In Tennessee last year the 200 XS motor beat the all time speed record for a 200 HP rated engine. There ya go....

Now I am running the Mercury Racing 2.5 XS on a 20Ft Lake and Bay Boca Grande flats boat. Stepped bottom 5 inch set back, tuned pad, torque master gear case and 2:1 or 1:87. everyone wants to know what kind of speeds we have pulled out of this rig so I will tell you now it runs about 80mph empty with a camel jockey behind the wheel. I am sure there is more, just have not had the time to play with it.

Most of us know that the single engine application 2.5's have always had a bit of a carrying problem when it came to loads. I am not saying that that issue is gone as we  know there is no replacement for displacement but it has gotten a whole lot better. This motor has plenty to keep a big bass boat or flats boat on top with power at low RPMS. When things get crappy out there I need to slow down, with the 2.5 XS I am able go very slow and still stay on a plane. That is carrying power that I have not had from any other 2.5 liter motor.

 Mercury racing is mounting this motor on a 3.0 liter mid section with the 3.0 liter gear boxes. this allows you to utilize all sorts of configurations to make your rig run its optimum while still taking advantage of the 2.5 liter weight. This assembly also makes the whole unit very strong. There is not much difference in the weight between the 200 xs and the 2.5 xs, maybe 10 - 15% heavier, However the difference between the two motors in power is night and day. I find this motor to be much more responsive in the mid ranges, very snappy. Top end is very strong with a peak RPM of 6800. The best part for me, Well yea I love to beat the hell out of my competition but the best part is the low end power.  Keep in mind I prop my boat for everyday fishing charters and mid range performance therefore my fuel economy is great. speaking of props, any application that you use this motor for I recommend that you get your prop lab finished for maximum performance to your needs. You will be glad that you did.

Lets talk fishing with the 2.5 XS. Here are the pros.

1. idle is smooth as silk and quiet for a two stroke.

2. Most fuel efficient outboard made. You will burn less than your buddy with half the size boat and power "at Cruise" If you open this motor up prepare to see it drink. The numbers below represent my boat currently. Lake and Bay 20 with a 2:1 Gear and a 25 inch Tempest Lab finished prop. Ready To fish myself and two grown men, lots of fuel and bait. Numbers were taken with Mercury Smart Craft and Garmin 188c

   1. 3500 RPM     37MPH      6.0 GPH

   2. 4000 RPM      43MPH     8.2 GPH

   3. 4500 RPM      49 MPH    11  GPH

   4. 5000 RPM      55 MPH    13-15 GPH

   5. 5500 RPM      61MPH      17 GPH

   6. 6600 RPM      69 MPH     24 GPH   WOT

3. The 3 liter mid housing and gear case. I feel as though it is very durable. After 500 hard hours mine is showing no wear.

4. Long idle time does not fowl plugs. This is something that allot of people noticed in the pro max days. No more with the XS. I have chased tarpon for hours and no issues at all.

5. Instant Start. Rolls over once then bam your on to run.

6. Gear case selections are outstanding.

7. Lightest V-6 for the HP you will find.

8. Durable, the motor I have had for nearly a year now is showing no signs of corrosion or wear and tear. It did leave me stranded once. I forgot to fuel up. No issues.

9. This motor will have 2 years warrantee from Mercury Racing with one year extendable 3 years total.

Cons to the 2.5 XS built by Mercury Racing

1. This motor needs 93 Octane. If you are looking for a performance motor you should already be feeding your engine 93 Octane so this should not be a problem. Fuel not on water? Get a can go to the gas station. It's 'worth it. No High test? Do not get this motor.

2. Your Friends with comparable motors will stop hanging out with you.

3. Warrantee is not as long as production engines.

So there you have it, my product review on the Mercury Racing 2.5 XS Opti Max. To wrap it up I will say this. This motor is not what it seems in power. The fact that it fills the 225 hp void at Mercury Racing is almost a cloaking device for this motor. Be wary you guys running those HPDI 250's The 2.5 XS will STING>

Questions about this motor? Write me I will tell ya what I can and what I cannot is either a secret or I will find out from the engineers myself to pass it along to you. Thanks for reading.