Xcursion Pontoon boats

[Xcursion]

Hey guys,

Looking for some feedback...

I have a 2014 Xcursion 25RFE X2 performance set up.... Merc 150 15.6 x 13 Enertia prop .... The engine is mounted in the top hole and appears to be "buried" in the water when running.... I can only pull 5200 rpm and can barely see the top of the cavitation plate on the motor...

How sensitive are the engine height adjustments....?? the holes seem like very little adjustment is made when moved but i'm not sure....I'm ginna try to adjust this before sending the prop in to be reworked.... im looking to get 5800 RPM. And the best performance the boat can give...

Thank's for the input....

Mike

[Cycleman07]

I have a South Bay (same boat really) and my Merc 150 with the same prop only sees 5200-5300 while loaded. I believe normal specs for the 150 Merc is 5000-6000 RPMS as normal range.

[r&s20]

the height adjustment can be real sensitive. sometimes a small change can make a big difference.you may create a ventilation problem.when fine tuning mine (with a jack plate) 3/8 inch adjustment was the difference in ventilating or not.when using bolt holes for adjustment i would gain 200-300 rpm's each time.

[Bamaman]

You have a good boat, and you have a good motor. The Enertia propeller is as good as it gets for a pontoon boat. I assume you're talking about a tritoon with lifting strakes? Your performance is simply not up to par.

It's best if you setup your propeller after breaking in the motor, with 1-2 people and 1/2 tank of fuel--looking for that 6000 rpm redline. If anything, I would think you'd need a 14 or 15 pitch prop instead of a 13 pitch. (My next door neighbor's 150 Verado on a 22' Harris Tritoon's running a 14 pitch Enertia.)

I don't understand what you're saying about where your motor's mounted. Is it as far down on the transom, or is it lifted somewhat? And are you talking about a Verado 150 hp, Optimax 150, Optimax Pro XS 150 or 150 hp FourStroke motor?

Are you trimming your lower unit up to get the nosecones out of the water? That's where you really get your speed and efficiency.

When it comes to pontoons, three toons and wave shields put out some mean turbulence, waves and spray out the back end. You really cannot use the rule that you should be able to clearly see your anticavitation plate.

My Bennington 24SSLX with express tubes and a Yamaha F150 is set up 3/4" above the transom--one notch up. With a 2.0:1 gear ratio, my Reliance 15 pitch prop gives me exactly 6000 rpm's and 40-41 mph GPS. I keep it trimmed up to 3/4 on the gauge most of the time, and I do get a little ventilation when accelerating fast--just like I like it.

You should also be seeing the redline and/or pushing 40 mph with your boat.

I think you've just got a setup problem. On a new boat, it's up to the dealer to get your boat to perform correctly--if it means lifting/dropping the engine and experimenting with propellers. Obviously, not all dealers are as good setting up pontoons/tritoons as others. And some dealers may not have recently setup a specific model tritoon with an Optimax 150 since most 150's on tritoons are now four strokes.

[Xcursion]

the height adjustment can be real sensitive. sometimes a small change can make a big difference.you may create a ventilation problem.when fine tuning mine (with a jack plate) 3/8 inch adjustment was the difference in ventilating or not.when using bolt holes for adjustment i would gain 200-300 rpm's each time.

Thank you for that.... I'm gonna try it one hole at a time...

Mike

[Xcursion]

You have a good boat, and you have a good motor. The Enertia propeller is as good as it gets for a pontoon boat. I assume you're talking about a tritoon with lifting strakes? Your performance is simply not up to par.

Its a 2 and 1/2 toon ..... the center log is about 3/4's and has the standard bucket on the rear that the motor hangs off...

It's best if you setup your propeller after breaking in the motor, with 1-2 people and 1/2 tank of fuel--looking for that 6000 rpm redline. If anything, I would think you'd need a 14 or 15 pitch prop instead of a 13 pitch. (My next door neighbor's 150 Verado on a 22' Harris Tritoon's running a 14 pitch Enertia.)

I chose the 13 based off what I found on this site... Rarely will there be less that 4 or 5 people aboard.... I chose the 13 to keep low and mid range performance and was hoping for a descent speed.... the 13 pitch will get me 5200 with 4 people and 3/4 fuel... dont know exact speed but it was over 30 and below 40....guessing around 33 to 35...

I don't understand what you're saying about where your motor's mounted. Is it as far down on the transom, or is it lifted somewhat? And are you talking about a Verado 150 hp, Optimax 150, Optimax Pro XS 150 or 150 hp FourStroke motor?

its mounted as far down on the transom as it will go... The motor is the 150 Fourstroke...

Are you trimming your lower unit up to get the nosecones out of the water? That's where you really get your speed and efficiency.

I do use the trim to find that sweet spot....However i think the engine is mounted too low....

When it comes to pontoons, three toons and wave shields put out some mean turbulence, waves and spray out the back end. You really cannot use the rule that you should be able to clearly see your anticavitation plate.

I understand this.... However you can see that the lower end has green water over it..... its not splash water.... And the engine seems to be creating 1/2 of the turbulent water spalshing out the cack.... I mean the splash water is higher than the engine cowel....

My Bennington 24SSLX with express tubes and a Yamaha F150 is set up 3/4" above the transom--one notch up. With a 2.0:1 gear ratio, my Reliance 15 pitch prop gives me exactly 6000 rpm's and 40-41 mph GPS. I keep it trimmed up to 3/4 on the gauge most of the time, and I do get a little ventilation when accelerating fast--just like I like it.

You should also be seeing the redline and/or pushing 40 mph with your boat.

This is the goal....

I think you've just got a setup problem. On a new boat, it's up to the dealer to get your boat to perform correctly--if it means lifting/dropping the engine and experimenting with propellers. Obviously, not all dealers are as good setting up pontoons/tritoons as others. And some dealers may not have recently setup a specific model tritoon with an Optimax 150 since most 150's on tritoons are now four strokes.

Out here in California , The dealer network is scarce for these.... I happened upon them on accident. With that said the one and only dealership in my area happens to be an RV dealer that carrries the Forrest River brand RV...thats the connection... So the Rv dealer really doesnt know boats and certainly wouldn't have any idea about set up.... I knew more about the boat and operation that the sales guy and the delivery guy.... At this point the dealer is useless to me... In fact I'm working with Forrest River to try and find a Boat yard to add to there warranty network in my area...

Mike

[Xcursion]

I have a South Bay (same boat really) and my Merc 150 with the same prop only sees 5200-5300 while loaded. I believe normal specs for the 150 Merc is 5000-6000 RPMS as normal range.

I'm gonna play with all the adjustments.... I will share my results... good and bad.... my RPM' s are same as yours...

[mobldj]

mike I feel your pain,must be friendly rv where I got mine,dont know shit about a boat.

[Xcursion]

mike I feel your pain,must be friendly rv where I got mine,dont shit about a boat.

Yes,

Same place....

As info... Quality Performance Marine in Corona is supposedly the newest Forrest River warranty center.... I used this shop when I had my big boats with blower motors .... Rob always treated me right... I have an appt on the 15th with him... hopefully everything is seemless....

Mike

[mobldj]

I hope so,i emailed mama xcursion about the crappy costumer service,they replied sorry and look up dealers on their home site,friendly is only one around,then havasu.

[NCBOATER]

Mike, I have a 2013 Xcursion X23RFC with the Yamaha F150LA(short shaft). I have a Yamaha SS Reliance 14.5” Dia 15 pitch prop. I have just a twin pontoon with no lifting strakes, but I do have the performance underskinning. My engine is mounted on the second hole from the top, and it sits about an inch or so from the top of the transom. The best I have ever seen was 34mph by GPS. After I added the engine mount trolling motor, which added about 220lbs to the boat and addition drag at the engine, the best I can get now is 31mph at 5400 rpms. I have talked with a couple of other guys on here that run the Yamaha F150's and have the X2 package(lifting strakes, performance underskinning, 3/4 center tube, hydraulic steering). They are getting 37-39 mph out of theirs with a couple of people on board. Obviously the more people you add the slower it will go. It will also run faster in the winter, because of cooler air and cooler water. I think you have the right prop for the load you will be carrying, because I probably need to drop my pitch down one or two sizes. I usually have 6 or more people on my boat unless I am striper fishing. I think that your engine may be to low in the water as you suspect. The 3/4 toon should give you more flotation in the front, but it will make the rear end sit a little lower. I will be installing a 3/4 tube on mine this winter, because I need more floatation for the amount of people I carry in the front. I hope this helps some, as I am just sharing what I have experienced with my pontoon. Let us know how it goes.

[ToonGuy]

I have built / played with each of the 3 designs most common today:

Basic 2-log

2-log with 3/4 center toon and standard transom

Full on tri-toon

First off, DO NOT compare any other boat to yours if it's not the same design. A 2-log with or with out strakes will not act the same as your platform, nor will a full center tube boat. The biggest issue you will fight is how low the boat sits in the rear with that motor on it. I would guarantee you're low. I built a boat with a similar Forest River set up (3/4 center, straked outer tubes, 22.5' long) and we had to raise the 135 Evinrude as high up as possible and it still doesn't blow out. Start by raising that motor... a lot. Moving the motor is free. You need to get your height correct before you can even think about propping. Good luck.

[BobL]

Just checked and mine is middle hole (150 Optimax that has 6 holes). I have the 23' 2014 Xcursion with the half middle tube. Only 11 hours on her so far and have only run WOT a few times. No prop blowout. I think I am pushing 5800 rpm and 37 mph (using IPhone app to clock speed) with full tank and 4 in the boat.

[Xcursion]

Sooo here we go.... the latest...

I moved the motor up 2 holes so its in the middle (3rd hole)... I hurried off to the local swamp (Lake Elsinore) Saturday afternoon.... First thing I noticed was the overall improved mid range performance....the boat just felt looser in the water .... you could see and feel the results of the trimming out un like before.... I still dont see the Cavitation plate regularly.... And picked about 100rpm...

Also.. the turbulent water out the back is considerably more diminished.... Its not splashing water up over the top of the cowling anymore.....

I can get it to trim out and get the nose cones out of the water now... I'm gonna go ahead and raise it again one more hole cause like Toonguy said.... its free to raise and lower the motor.... then we will look at the prop....

I'm headed off to Havasu this weekend.... we will see how it goes...

I really appreciate the shared experience from y'all on here... cant thank ya enough....

Mike

[teecro]

This is an informative read... Thanks fellers!

While I grew up around outboards, jackplates and trimming for that sweet spot I've not been involved with boats other than remotely for near to 30 years despite working on big boats and ships all my life. Fast forward to today I've only just purchased a little 18' Sun Tracker with 60 HP for the wife and I to play on as we live right on a lake now. I don't know how fast the toon is or what I can expect to tweek out of it if anything.

But now I'm back on track with where to start looking for improvements... In the FREE isle.. Start with a baseline of best speeds in stock form, then start by raising the motor and finally look to the prop.