Lookin into purchasing a 30 spectre O/B. They seem to be pretty mixed in power. Some have 2.5's, 225's,300x's etc...which are gonna give you the best overall performance and reliability. It will be a saltwater boat if that makes any difference.

300x's promax.........Excellant torque without all the oil mixing hassels......The 2.5's are great if u have deep pockets and a mechanic on the payroll...They run serious RPM'S so engine life is much shorter. The 2.5's are great if your racing for the $$$$. The 2.5's are also a shifting nighmare at idle.

I had a 28 Ft Skater with 3 2.5's and it was a pain. I have a Talon now with 2 Pro Max 300's and it is awesome. The motors start easy idle great and shift great. The great thing is that the performance is great too... Pro Max 300's get my vote...

Drawbacks to the 2.5. runs synthetic oil and requires mixing. Should not shift unless you run very forgiving prop hubs. Requires rings every 75 hours. Advantages are the power to weight. Runs 8,200 so you can prop the boat to out accelerate the 300x.

For the water you run in I would stay with the 300x and keep the rpm's under 7,000. John Vanderstel (Mercury's number 1 outboard guy) told me that they did extensive testing on pistons for the 300x models and the pistion wear increased 5 fold when they ran them over 7,000. You get alot of life under the 7,000 mark.

Frank, does that mean you have a rev limiter set at "7"???

with the 30 Spectre, I would stick with the 300x's. I have seen a few for sale with the 300x's in the classified section. The 2.5's are proven motors, however they are very high rpm motors like was said already. I know the 300x's on a 30 spectre should run between 104-108. Not sure about 2.5 speeds but guess around 100. The 300 promax's (out before the x's) should run right at 100 also but live a lot longer. Good luck.

No, I just make sure I back off when we get air........I swear im sawing wood when were in the rough.

Bern - 300's, Remember, there is no substitute for cubic inches !!! Dave

twin big blocks..... you don't want no stinkin' weed eaters do ya?

amen, like over 1000 of them....