Aren't the water pickups on the E Tec. sides of the gearcase? That would at least cause you to put low water pickups on it, if you run it on a Cat. Not sure, arent many Rudes in our area.

i'm sure you can nose cone the gearcase as has been done so many times in the past for the rudes. i did my own bob's back a lil ways.
i say try it.

course its not my money, so be carefull.

but theres always somethin with bein the first to do it!

What's the weight difference between the two?

1. Skaters like a low C/G.... the ideal setup is a 15" motor on a 28 Skater and 20" is the maximum engine length for that application.

2. With the largest available stock prop (34") the 300 XS Skater28's peak out at about 110mph at 6300 Rpm with 1:62 gears. Doing the math quickly, that translates to 99 mph at 6000 RPM with 1:71 gears...... However the 1:71's are only available on the 250 hp model so figure a 10 mph speed loss (and lower pitch) due to the HP loss......

Figure you will have a mid to high 80's boat...... not much for a 28 Skater....Especially considering that the old 300x motors (not XS) like mine, run north of 120.......

T2x

I would have to agree with the math of t2x. You may also want to consider the mid section. The two small trim rams on that three ram system tend to mushroom over in offshore applications. You would also have to come up with some solid motor mounts. just some food for thought

I ran a 250 HO on my 24' SuperBoat all summer. This motor replaced a 250efi Mercury with a brand new torque master lower. The 250 HO so out performed my Merc motor i was embarrassed for Mercury an when I say out performed boat was ten mph faster way more torque an the boat definitely handle better no comparison......

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I'm beginning to see the positives
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A better comparison would be a 250xs vs the 250HO. a 250efi is an ancient motor, it a 250efi is more comparable to a 250 ocean runner.

We race them here in that states and in the UK. The moots run strong. However there are short comings. In rough conditions they will break off the clamps and steering tubes. We have had to make new mounts also. The power head is strong. Not a lot of breKage. The weak point is the transom assembly. We have reinforced it to make it last. We have put over 160 hours at 6200 rpm wit little power loss. Make sure you use the xp 100 oil and set the computer so it knows it has xp100. Gives less oil and better performance.

Lowers are fine just put a bobs cone on it. You can surface it then. Send your computer to DBR and set the rev limiter to 7200 and he will re map it. Makes around 300 hp then.

I have to agree! I am in the process of putting twin 250 HO ETEC's on my 27 Progression an the only other 27 Outboard Progression on Long Island is sporting 250xs. So maybe sometime next summer we'll be able to put the speculations to rest.......