HELP! Ordering a new G25, which engine?

[Augdog1964]

My predilection is to get the 6.2 non supercharged, but what am I giving up? I know I have to use premium if I go to supercharged...
What are the top speed differences? Maintenance? The website is woefully lacking on info on this...

Thanks in advance!

Augdog1964

[JoeA]

This is a loaded question.

How many people in your crew?

Will you ride heavy?

Can you get premium fuel?

Do you care about take off speed?

You will burn crazy amounts of fuel of you try to go even close to top speed. We rarely drive over 27 MPH.


I am a fan of the 550 because I may rant to ride heavy and I may want the load up the boat with a lot of people and never feel like we need more power. I do care about fuel economy BUT you have to decide what is more important, fuel or performance. I have seen fuel burn at 6.7 GPH when surfing with a few peopple and I have also experiences 12 GPH with lots of people while surfing. We wakeboard a few times a year and you'll burn more fuel if that is your sport,

If you're buying a G25 I do feel resale value and desirability will be better with the 550. I not hating on the 450 and know that many people choose this one. All new engines for 2016 and the reviews seem to be very good.

[Augdog1964]

Ok, here are some answers for those providing answers...

1) Our location is Tennessee... so no problem with elevation.
2) Generally just family... 4 people... BIG people though... my sons are 6 foot 5 and their GPH is worse than the boat! LOL
3) We are all into wake surfing... due to recurring head injuries Doc says no more wake boarding for me... (ugh) but surfing is really fun and better on 51 year old joints.
4) Not sure if I can get premium fuel, I will have to check...
5) Yes love take off speed, but not imperative... just don't want a dog.
6) Rarely make WOT runs, but our lake is so huge there is a lot of smooth water, so speed can be fun...

Great input JoeA! Anyone else?

Top speed with the 450 vs. 550 and 550 top of line?

[ironj32]

550 for me, but I wakeboard, really heavy....more than the 450 can handle. If you're all just wake surfing, then I'd say the 450 would be adequate.

Using factory props, the top speed on those engines will be pretty comparable...maybe 2-3 mph faster in the 550. If you want it to go faster than 37-40 mph, you'll need to change props.

[Beg4wake]

ironj32 hit it on the head. It sounds like you will mostly be concerned with wake surfing so the H6 motor will be just fine for you. When doing WOT runs, you most likely wont have the boat loaded with weight so the extra HP wouldn't really be needed, although wouldn't be bad either especially since you're looking at the bigger 25'. But as for top speed, that'll all really depend on the prop, not the motor. The 550 will just get you to the top speed faster, but both will top out around 40 (+/-) mph. Also agree with above though that if resale is also a concern of yours, the 550 will definitely help there too. Although, you won't really get back what you put into the boat, it will give you the edge over other sellers if you ever do choose to sell. But if you plan on this being a long term boat, and it will mostly just be you and your family mentioned, then I would recommend just going with the H6 and saving on the upgrade cost, plus the cost of premium fuel. Plus you won't have to worry about always trying to find premium when you need gas! Just my 2 cents!

[danschmatz]

Remember that time you were talking to someone and they said "I love this boat (car, truck, motorcycle) but just wish it had less horsepower." Me neither...... Assuming the financial side of it isn't a limiting factor and you plan on keeping the boat for a bit I would go big.

I have the 550 supercharged on my G21 and am very happy with it.

[Kenv]

I think Beg nailed it in his post. After reading that, if it were me...I would go 450. I bet you will sleep better at night with the 450. Don't worry about selling the boat before you even have it.....lol

[markj]

I'd do the 450 in your situation as well, but I can't help wonder why you're bothering with a G25 when you normaly only take 4 people out. What's wrong with a G23 or 21 for that matter?

[robertsmcfarland]

i have learn something this year, that the 550 is the only closed loop engine offered for 2016,,I have found over the years that this is great to have in freezing areas..no real winterizing just put up and go ,, I have always put a boat heater in engine compartment during Dec-March for a little piece of mind...something to consider...with a heater,, there is no problem but with out closed loop it has to be bow out because there is no drain, and for some reason heaters rust out after a few years, but maybe the heaters have improved over the years....

[Augdog1964]

Great feedback all, thanks so much...

Honestly we demo'ed a G23 and liked it, but with my sons so tall, the G25 allowed for more room up front... we are coming from an X45 and the front of that boat is massive for riding and stretching out... but the surf wake is not good.

Found out that there is basically no premium fuel on the lake, so probably gonna go 450, just more convenient... and I've always been suspicions of octane boosters.... don't want to hurt the engine...

Thanks all!

[Beg4wake]

Great feedback all, thanks so much...

Honestly we demo'ed a G23 and liked it, but with my sons so tall, the G25 allowed for more room up front... we are coming from an X45 and the front of that boat is massive for riding and stretching out... but the surf wake is not good.

Found out that there is basically no premium fuel on the lake, so probably gonna go 450, just more convenient... and I've always been suspicions of octane boosters.... don't want to hurt the engine...

Thanks all!

I think honestly that's the right decision for you! Just make sure that when you're surfing, those big boys sit as far in the back as possible. Being a G25, it already has a lot of forward weight so it will benefit from the weight closer to the rear, or at least mid ship. Oh, and be sure to also post pictures ASAP!! haha!

[Tallredrider]

It sounds like the 450 will do fine for you. If it seems doggy on the surfing with extra ballast, you can prop it down some.

I am pretty sure one of the gear heads came on here a while back and pointed out that the premium fuel requirement is not a requirement at all, it is just a suggestion for maximum power. The electronic timing adjusts for lower octane fuel, and it just won't produce as much horsepower. You won't hurt the motor by running the regular stuff. Feel free to correct me, but that was my take home message when this discussion comes up.

[Laketexoma]

After having a 2014 with the 550 and my new 2016 with the 450 h6 (both in a G23). I cant tell a lot of difference in the performance. The 550 pulls a little bit harder off of the line, but you are burning 2-3x as much gas. I'm like your kid, I'm 6'7" and have very tall boys. But the 23 has more than enough leg room for us. We normally have 6-8 in the boat and mainly wakesurf also.

[Beg4wake]

Tallredrider....you're mostly right...only thing is that 93 is not recommended just for "performance". The 550 is a forced induction motor which means it has advanced timing. The computer will pull timing if adequate fuel is not there, but there is always a chance that it might fail or not get timing pulled in time resulting in detonation which will most likely blow the motor...In which case, when PCM gets a hold of that motor for examination for a warranty claim, they will determine a lower grade of fuel was used and therefore will deny the claim.

HERE IS A DIRECT QUOTE FROM THE PCM MANUAL:

"ATTENTION: For optimal performance and reliability, the ZR450 application requires the use of premium 93 Octane fuel.
WARNING: The XS550/XR550 Supercharged applications REQUIRE the use of premium 93 Octane fuel. Failure to due so could result in poor engine performance and engine damage that is not covered under warranty"

**this was from the 2015 PCM Manual, however the same thing goes for the 2016 models. In fact, from what I heard, the 2016 performance numbers stated for both the H5 and the H6 were done so using 87 octane fuel, therefore higher grade fuel will only result in better performance.

[nyryan2001]

550 and be done with it!