BassFans have likely seen the Mercury OptiMax 250 Pro XS on the back of a few rigs. The engine was built by Merc's racing division, so it housed all the extras that go into building a racing-class engine. Due to response, Mercury moved the 250 Pro XS over to the retail side. With a few slight tweaks, manufacturing got underway, and the engine is just now becoming available to consumers.
Tht advanced-performance Pro XS includes the following key features:
> A 3-year, factory-backed, non-declining warranty
> Exclusive carbon-fiber reeds control airflow to the engine crankcase. Mercury said they're more durable and responsive than stainless steel or other fiber materials.
> The Pro XS offers a "higher wide-open-throttle RPM operating range," which Mercury said provides more propeller options.
> The Torque Master gearcase features a heavy-duty propshaft and Mercury-patented dual water-pickups on the front end of the torpedo for a constant flow of cooling water. The asymmetrical skeg is said to improve handling by countering the torque created by prop rotation.
> The engine is mounted with solid billet aluminum mounts, which, according to the company, keeps the engine from turning or twisting under high torque (20-inch models only).
> Mercury also said the dome-shaped pistons, an exclusive, efficiently direct the fuel/air charge to the spark plug, which improves running quality and fuel economy, and lowers emissions.
For more about the 250 Pro XS, and other Mercury motors, click here.
