IdleTime

I too have a 2020 250 ProXs and purchased the 4K extended warranty for my piece of mind. So for we have 80 hours on the motor and just put over 300 miles on it the last couple of weeks on Table Rock. The motor is mounted on a Ranger 620 so it requires the 5 inch extension in the lower unit. Previously this 5 inch extension has changed colors after running the engine for as little as one hour, it has been replaced twice already and will be looking for a third. The lower cowls also "blister" the paint. The cowls have been replaced once already and will be looking to have them replace again. Mercury say's it is a paint issue. To the dealer question. I too look to the forum for advise and opinions. In May my friend had issues with his motor and I recommended Ulrich. Ulrich did get him in when no one else would look at his problem thought the part that was required would take months to get. My friend agreed to leave the boat with Ulrich for the summer so they could fix and he'd pickup in September. Ulrich was very responsive in May and during their sales pitch to install a new motor and have a cover made for this boat. My friend opted for the new motor and cover. The boat was picked up the second week of September with the new motor but the cover was not ready. Once at the resort he remembered that Ulrich did not return his boat key, many calls to the dealer and messages left, he received a return call a week later. The installation of the motor is horrible (IMO), the wire bundle coming from the throttle pass through a new hole in the side wall, the hole was located to far from the throttle which left a bunch of capped wires hanging in the open, also the rod locker below the new hole is full of drill shavings. The rigging in the splash well is a mess, hydraulic steering hoses are positioned over the fuel fill (difficult to add fuel) and the engine rigging should have been placed in the convoluted tube as the motor has the correct receptacle, whats another $35 when spending 12K on a new motor. I know there are a lot of good experiences with Ulrich, but this one has some snags. I only write this because my friend is advanced in age, trusted our opinions and paid in full in advance of delivery for all services. Still no cover. Seabass - keep us posted on Mercury response please. I'm calling my Warsaw dealer now to confirm my extended warranty,

I have it mounted on a Ghost TM. Will be back in Shell Knob second week of September if that helps.

Agree, cheap insurance and needed something to do. Talked two authorized repair centers, neither had any concerns with future warranty. Protecting the engine is the purpose of the "Engine Guardian System". We'll continue to run it after impeller replacement. So if you see us on the water, stop, we may need a tow.

Called the Mercury dealer to talk about the temp issue. He responded as wrench did that there are low water pickups on the leading edge of the lower unit that must be covered when running this motor on muffs. He said there is a boot you can purchase or use tape to cover the holes. For damage, he asked if there was water coming from the "water pump indicator hole", if there was then the impeller should be ok and didn't run dry, but suggested to back it into some water and monitor the temp to insure no impeller damage. He said this event will not impact the warranty but suggested that the next time the boat is in for service to have them clear the code, as we know the reason for the onetime code. Lessons learned: Make sure to cover the low water pickups when running on muffs. Make sure water coming from the "water pump indicator hole" right after starting the engine. Monitor water pressure and temp at all times if so equipped. Hope this helps others not make the same mistake.

Now this is not the kind of thoughts I was looking for but helpful. The manual say's "Engine Guardian System monitors the critical sensors of the engine for any early indication of problems", so doesn't make sense to provide a "warning" horn if, when it alerts it is too late. I was watching the temp gauge as it climbed slowly and was going to shut it off at 200, when it hit 200 the horn sounded and I shut it off. Will check with the dealer and let you know what they say. If it is toast, anyone want to buy a boat?

Hi All, May not be the correct form for this but want know what you think. I have a 2020 Mercury 250 Pro XS four stroke with 38 hours on it. After our last trip in October I noticed the paint blistered on both left and right lower cowlings and the 5 inch extension on the lower unit discolored, the boat had been in the water for 20 day's, break-in had been completed earlier so ran it normally, still only full throttle and trim for not more than 5 minutes, temp/pressure always consistent. Took it to my local Mercury dealer, Mercury replaced all the parts under warranty. They had no idea what caused this but thought the unit may have been repainted??? Anyway scheduled with the dealer to replace the cowlings, 5 inch extension and while there, change the engine oil and lower unit service. Sounds simple right? After the motor sat overnight in my garage I notice a puddle of oil. It was engine oil that had spilled from the oil filter, into the cowling that made its way to the floor. I had done a lot of research on this engine before purchasing and Mercury could not have made it simpler to change the oil without causing this mess, with drain provisions provided on the side of the lower unit for the oil and a "catch" can with hose connection under the oil filter. I found the "catch" can was full of oil. I sent pictures to the dealer and the technician that did the work called me saying he typically works on bigger projects and wasn't familiar with these new motors but apologized. He said he did leak check the filter, but if the catch can was full of oil what kind of leak check could he have accomplished, I asked? He replied that if the filter was leaking it would have sprayed all over the place. Anyway, after dismissing that entire conversation I cleaned all the oil, hooked up the muffs to do my own leak check. Engine started right up, but after a couple of minutes the water temp went to 200 degrees (typical temp is around 137 in the water) so I shut it off, just as the steady warning horn sounded. I did have a week stream out "P" hole, so I thought water wasn't an issue. Some "online" research notes that these new motors will not run on muffs and require a tank. Has anyone experienced the same "running on muffs" or paint issues described? Also For Sale - 2020 Minn-Kota Ultrex, I-piolt, 60" shaft, 36V, US2, with quick release bracket for $2100.00 and listed in For Sale form. A couple of pictures of the new rig(May 2020), Ranger 620 FS, If you see us out on the water stop and say hey.

Hi Folks, For Sale - 2020 Minn-Kota Ultrex, I-pilot, 36 volt, 112 pounds of thrust, 60 inch shaft, US2 sonar, Minn-Kota quick release mount and warranty thru May 2022. This TM was the only option for my new Ranger 620 delivered in May 2020, the boat came with Lowrance electronics so want to match them with a qhost T/M. Very light use and still excellent condition. The unit came installed so I don't have any of the original packaging but do have all the manuals. Located in Lincoln county MO but can discuss delivery.

Hi Bobby, I just ordered a new 620FS and have been working this deal for three years. I have seen 620's 10 to 15 K off MSRP the first week of August the last two years and only for those in stock. When it was my time to order it thought for sure I'd get a similar deal, NOPE. ZERO off MSRP as Ranger controls the prices (I'm told and seems to be true) to keep competition fare between all dealers. Only discount is the special offers from Ranger that are listed on the website. Also expect a 10+ week delivery. I ordered mine on Jan. 24 and current completion date is April 3, but was told to expect that to change. My vacation starts May 1st in Shell Knob so hope we have it by then. Hope you have better luck than me.

SOLD, SOLD, If anyone can provide directions for how to delete the post or modify the subject line would be appreciated.

Sorry forgot to add the price. $12,500.00

1996 Champion 181DC bass boat. 150hp Mercury EFI, 70lb Motoguide trolling motor, Lowrance Elite-7, SeaStar Pro hydraulic steering, Ratchet buckles, Cover, LED lights in instrument panel, under consoles and in live wells, 3 bank 15 amp charger, 31 gallon fuel tank, Engine hours not known. I purchased this boat 10 years ago from my friend who purchased it new, he was 69 when he purchased it. He took it to Table Rock twice a year for a week each time. I use it a little more than he did. I has always been garaged and well cared for but does have some scrapes. I am only selling because we purchased a new "bigger" boat. Thanks for looking,

I have been researching this for years the Reata and 6 Series. One dealers explanation hit the home with me, the Reata is more ski than fish while the 6 Series is all fish. As mentioned I found the forward casting deck on the Reata small as well as rod storage issues. The 6 series, 619, 620 and 621 are all the same from the consoles forward, the additional lengths are added behind the console seats. A pre-owned Reata seems to be less expensive than a 6 Series. I hope to replace the Champion this year with a new 620 for all the same reasons mentioned and strangely enough it was my wife's idea. Good luck with your search as there is nothing better than getting a new boat.

Drove around this morning after breakfast taking pictures of ramps at 39 bridge, Kings River Marina and storm damage (closed), Big Bay and Campbell Point. All are open but no courtesy docks available. Next to last picture is from our cabin at Pla-Port, water was on the road last week.We launched Saturday from the path leading to the dock on Saturday. There is a public ramp just past us that could be used now and is what we will use when we leave. Last picture is a fish my wife caught that we can't ID? Water still looks like chocolate milk and very little visibility. Temps were 64 to 68 yesterday. We haven't traveled more than a half mile from the resort with little success though we have not been hitting it very hard. We have targeted the oaks and sweet gums that have held fish in the past but not for us now. I don't get far enough up into the yards to reach the bank so that may be one of our issues as we have picked up a few from the bank in front of the cabin. Hope this help,

Been here since Friday and saw trucks in the bridge parking lot but didn't drive in so assume you can launch there. I can drive up there tomorrow and give you a better report. Water color "chocolate milk", visibility "8 inches". Have to agree with Champ, backyard bit is highly exaggerated. We are on vacation so not getting out until after breakfast and haven't found anything except one lady telling me to stop fishing in her yard (think she was kidding). I have tried from 0 to 45 feet with no success though the wife has caught a few shorts. Talked to some guys that said very early morning and just before sunset has worked for them. Will be here until next Monday and will post if anything changes for us.

Brandon, Did this project over the winter and struggled with adhesive or not. I choose not to use adhesive but in hindsight wished I had. I would use a cheap spray adhesive on the large bunk face to carpet just to keep this side flat and secure, wrap and staple. Was difficult for me to staple one side (underside) then wrap all the way around and staple keeping the carpet pulled tight. Good luck