Thoughts on the 224 Blackjack with 175 Mercury?
 

Looking for your thoughts and or from any current Blackjack owners?


I was at the Biloxi boat show today and the price I was offered for the 224 with the new 175 Mer is pretty much irresistible. The salesman stated the boat with the Mercury will run around 45mph.


My questions to all are:
1- What is the stats of those that have the 224 (MPH, MPG, Size motor)?
2- they will put a 200 Suzuki on the back for the same price... Thoughts?


2- I hear everyone state that this boat rides better than any other bay boat and can handle rough weather.


I run from Biloxi to Chandeleur and if/when caught in a storm I am looking to see what I can expect. I have only owned deep-V boats, and fished on one bay boat.

Just my opinion but I wouldn't mount anything below a 225 on a 224 BJ, which is what I have. A 250 would be ideal and I am pretty sure you can mount a 300HP on it, according to Mr. Kenner. All that said, a 175HP boat would be underpowered.

I agree with 225 min. 45mph isn’t bad but if you do go with a 175 you may have a difficult time with resale down the road.

I have taken everyone's advise, and I am going to get them to give me a quote with both the 225 Mer and also the 250 Verado. depending on the separation in price I will be happy with either.


Thanks for your comments.

Be sure to post some pics of it after you buy it. If I were in the market for a bay boat a blackjack would be my first choice too.

Absolutely

Congrats on the decision! You will have many years of enjoyment with it!!

thanks

I started with a yam 225 HPDI and then went to a 200 four stroke. Great dry ride, and great fishing boat. fished Marsh around Bay Rambo and outside islands from Coccodrie. 2008 till 2019. Best boat on the market! Some one stole the boat/motor and burned the boat last month. I guess some crabber is enjoying that quiet four stroke!

dang... sorry to hear about your boat, hopefully your able to get back into another one.


thanks for the information, it is good to hear from someone that has a smaller motor than the 250.

After a little misunderstanding with the salesman... that ended up in my favor must I say. I thought I was going with the 225 Mer, but when I received my quote, I noticed that was not the case :dance: :dance: :dance:. In two weeks I will take possession on my new 2019 blackjack w/ 250 merc pro xs, 64" minnkota I-pilot, and garmin electronics.


if anyone is interested, I am selling my current boat (2013 Tidewater 196 adventurer w/yam 115 4stroke and all the electronics).
https://www.boattrader.com/listing/2...dard%20listing

the next 4 days is gona be the longest... the boat is at the fiberglass shop now to have the through hull transducer installed. then the motor and electronics Wed and Thur. Friday it goes to the detailer to be cleaned and prepped for delivery on Saturday.

well done! will be worth the wait for sure.

Post pics when she's delivered

yes sir... I asked for some progress pictures as they go through the week. Apparently I am being told, they're going to be using my boat for their facebook page.

no pictures yet... the fiberglass shop had it for an extra day with the transducer installation, and then it is headed to empress audio for the stereo installation which they will need for at least 2 days.
Maybe mid next week I will see her.

If it is any consolation, the weather has sucked and the fishing sucks. You will have her all broken in and ready to be slimed when fishing really turns on in early May!

already planning my first trip to Chandeleur for early April.

the mercury has been installed.

She’s a beaut. Friend of mine has that motor on his bass boat and absolutely loves it!!

You’ll love the motor. I’ve been running the V8 300 Vrod on my Scout 231XS for about 7 months now and it is an absolute animal. It is a mid-range beast and has neck-breaking torque. Fuel efficiency is extremely impressive. Mercury really did a great job with their new V8 platform.

just realized I will also own my first yeti cooler.

should be taking my first ride on her Tue or Wed

Nice looking rig. Id love to own one just like her one day. Congrats

I cannot wait... the last three weeks have been insane. but it will all be worth it in the end. I am getting word the trout are starting to show up in my spots, so it will be ready just in time.


thanks, I have been wanting one for around 7 years sense the first time I saw one. it took me 7 years to finally go for it... not getting any younger.

Well done purchase...
Enjoy that beaut...

congrats! awesome rig

Awesome Boat Visco !!!! She's a beauty! Enjoy!

The motor is completely installed and ready, the electronics went in today, and the trolling motor tomorrow.


cannot wait till Saturday.

boat should haul asz...you'll be the first one to the islands lol

are you doing your own rigging? or are you having a shop do it? just curious because I might need some new wiring in my future. I'm in Louisiana, but have a place on MS coast.

Beautiful boat. Enjoy, but don't get a hernia from lifting that Yeti out of the boat. lol

electronics complete, trolling motor today... and then she is complete and ready for my first fishing trip.

Great boat. I have the 224 with a Merc 225 ProXS. At 40 mph, I get about 3.5 -3.7 mpg and at WOT I run around 54 and about 2.9 mpg. Those numbers are with full fuel, ice in the box, loaded Yeti and 2-3 people. Not sure my prop. But great boat in the chop and awesome to fish 3 guys on that front deck and not have any issues.

Got my boat today and had her on the water for about 4 hours breaking her in. I had my niece's and nephew with me, so was unable to get any pictures or videos. but I took a snap shop of what my I did. not bad considering I left the motor trimmed down all the way.


this mercury is a beast... the hole shot she has throws you back in your seat. I cannot imagine what the 300 pro xs would do on this boat. it would be stupid fast.

fire extinguisher placement???

I put everything in the boat this morning, but I one last thing to add which is my fire extinguisher. Where is everyone mounting it?

Beautiful rig man!

not a great video but something for now.


https://youtu.be/3mhuSrJqOHM

some pictures of this weekend.

That is a nice boat.

I did not do my own rigging. If your're looking for someone, contact Jason at Crown Leisure Marine, he does an outstanding job.

Ha... I now need to buy my next Yeti to put on the front of the boat.

I very easily could be the first boat to the island... Sunday coming from the Back Bay to the small craft harbor, I ran into a little chop once I came under the Ocean Springs bridge. we had a nice 2' to 3' chop with the occasional 4' rolling in. It was me and a 32' yellowfin with triple outboards. He was catching me quickly in the chop as that was nothing for him. But once we cleared the Marina on the point and we had a small chop, I was able to leave him in my wake. I noticed with a small chop under a 1/2' she will absolutely fly. I will pull the stats soon, but my gps speed hit 61mph.


oh yea... we found some decent trout on Sunday, and I caught a bunch of undersized reds at Cat Island on Saturday. All in all, not a bad weekend of fishing.

Congrats of a fine new rig. I love my 2018 Blackjack with the 250 Yamaha SHO. Now we need the weather to get right.

amen to that

Nice rig ! Time to get the deck slimy with some speck and reds.

Thanks... I am done breaking her in, and now ready for some serious fishing trips.