Home › Forums › Bass Cat Boats › 250 Etec Holeshot
New to the forum and have a question for anyone that can help. I have a 2009 Puma FTD with a 250 Etec with a 24 Fury and hydraulic jackplate. When by myself running light the holeshot is ok but on tournament day with 2 people, full fuel and livewells full and tourney load (heavy) it will not come out of the hole. Im tired of making my fishing partner lay on the front deck every time we move! So, has anyone changed to the new lower unit and liked it? I hate to give up the speed but may not have any other option. This boat is Doug McGees old boat so you know it will roll on the top end! Any help is appreciated.
Ward runs a “worked” 25 Fury and his does well, not as good as my Merc, but better than most Etecs ive seen. Im sure he will be along after surgeries are done with advice for you. He has dealt with it all…..
Heres the deal of many deals with that motor. First of all what year is the block? I am pretty sure that isnt/wasnt Dougs first block.Good news is that I think you may be able to do much better. I have 25 fury and the holeshot with me and 50 gallons of gas is 2-3 seconds. Me and 25 gallons its less than 2. 2 guys water in wells, hot outside, 30 gallons of gas I would say 4 seconds, less than 5.An attempt to get it fixed aint gonna be cheap and it depends on how good your mechanic really is.The first thing I would do is have your mechanic update the entire emm. Updates in 10 designed to make this thing better(holeshot).Second thing I would do is get a vacuum test done on your fuel system. If the vacuum is over specs you are gonna need a new bulb for sure. That bulb wont be cheap…Around $200 for the bulb.Third thing I would do is make sure the TPS is set right. There were some TPS voltage update I believe in 09 or 10.Issue 1,2, and 3 were present in mine. When they were all fixed thats how I got here. I have probably 320-350 hours on mine(09).Mine runs so well I likely will step up to a 26 fury soon for the winter.If you arent worried about $200 bucks anyway I would get the bulb regardless. To get that bulb your mechanic is gonna have to call Riverside Marine in North Little Rock Arkansas. It aint a BRP bulb. Nor is it a merc one..not even for a 250. Nor is it something that bears more discussion on a public board.As for the SLE “upgrade”…holeshot issues will be gone. Top end will be 74-76 with you alone. 72-3 with a load. I gotta stay ahead of Dbasket so thats not an option for me!C.O.D. Jr. III
Im pretty sure the power head is an 09 as it was replaced the spring of 09 but Ill have to make sure. I wasnt aware of the updates so will have those done and vaccum checked. I just had it in the shop for a trim switch issue and had them check everything but nothing was mentioned about updates. As for speed i really dont want to lose any as tournament loaded last weekend i was only getting 72. I thought maybe the new gearcase carried a load better but sounds like it only helps the hole shot.
If u notice the motor running upto 58-5900 pretty quick but seems to just level off or wont go on id also reference recommendation #2.C.O.D. Jr. III
I am also surprised you are not in the rev limiter with a 24. I know motors vary as do loads and locations but when D and I fished Dardanelle it was hot(june), full wells, 3/4 tank, 25 fury, 52″ troller on nose, 2nd console present- holeshot was 4-5 seconds with no thoughts of getting on the nose in any way whatsoever. Ran 74 for 30 miles and wasnt pushing in the rain.Having a holeshot issue with a 24 aint right loaded. As for the “new” lower unit- probably will carry a load better in terms of holeshot(1.85ratio- get your rpms and ventilation up faster) and realiability will be better(MUCH! larger gears).Last edited by clownshoes on September 19th, 2011, 11:56 pm, edited 1 time in total.C.O.D. Jr. III
Yeah what Ward said . That hole shot and rpm with a 24 fury aint right . I am running the new case and its done nothing to improve my hole shot . My cougar ran great with the L 2 hole shot was wright on par with ward top speed had it all . The new case struggles top end and hole shot . Good in grass and real stable but real sensitive to environment seems like I need 4 props and a hydraulic jack plate to keep it running right . If this helps any time mine ran sluggish kinda how it sounds yours is , It would end up being an injector not to much later . Get that motor fixed up it should be a savage !
It did seem to be more sluggish than usual this weekend! With a load it has always been slow out of the hole but never had to get on the nose like this before. It was only turning 5700 rpm so maybe there is something else going on. I really dont want to give up the speed unless I have to, its just to much fun to drive. I have been wanting to try a 25 but theres no point until it cools off and then I have 26 fury that works well during the winter. Just gonna have to get it to the mechanic! I do carry a big load – me 220, partner 300+, 4 sears platinum group 31 batts, bass pro in the boxes. Thanks for the help
Aight, This is the pot callin the kettle black, but lighten the load, it is amazing how much difference it makes ! I always carried everything i owned, and pared it down to what i need and have a whole other gear in my transmission now, the boat flys, and chases others down it shouldnt, etc,,,,,Ask Ward,,,,,,,,it is night and day from what it was performance wise, and better on gas, too !
Yeah I know to much stuff!! I can deal with only runiing 72-73 with water in the wells but this thing wouldnt even plane out water or no water with tourney load without someone on the front deck. You would think you could put whatever you wanted in there and at least get on plane. My last boat with a merc opti would jump on plane with 4 people and a load. Its just baffling to me, dont get me wrong i like the motor fine no problems other than holeshot that seems to be getting worse. There has to be something eslse compounding the problem.
© 2026 Bass Cat Boats

