2023 Bullet 21XRS
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Bullet boats are considered the Porsches of bass fishing. This new 21XRS earns that rep with its legit 80 mph top speed with a full load of fuel and well over 500 pounds of passengers and gear. Veteran Bullet wheelman Paul Nichols hit the 80 mark; my rusty bass boating clocked only 79—but with ease. The hull’s unique pad and overall design handles chop well, skimming over the waves and minimizing spray.
It’s easy on a gallon too. Our best recorded cruise speed was just over 36 mph, where we saw 4.1 mpg.
The 21XRS offers a very sleek deck and sheerline profile; if it weren’t for the trolling motor, it would be easy to mistake it for a race boat. But it’s a fishing machine, from the Minn Kota Ultrex troller on the bow to the wide fore and aft decks. The troller’s foot pedal is now in a customary recess. A Humminbird Solix 10 display fits next to it. The long deck is dominated by rod and tackle storage in the portside and center compartments. All lids are reinforced aluminum. The carpet is thickly padded for comfortable footing.
The step down into the cockpit is a wide, carpeted double lid covering twin day boxes for tackle or sundries. Dual bucket seats provide thick padded bolsters to keep the driver and rider secure and comfortable at speed. Behind the sleek console’s windscreen is another Solix 10, surrounded by electronic analog and digital Mercury SmartCraft gauges, a digital height gauge for the Atlas hydraulic jack plate, and blinker-style switches on the steering column for trim and the jack plate. A foot throttle controls the Mercury outboard; at these speeds, it’s highly recommended.
The step up to the aft deck is a large, padded rubber-insert lid that covers an insulated cooler. The 45-gallon divided livewell sits just abaft of the cockpit, flanked by storage lockers—a tackle storage bin to starboard, and bulk dry storage to port. Just behind that is a cavernous dry-storage locker to port, and a large center hatch to access the fuel tank and plumbing. On the starboard side, there’s another large hatch to access batteries and wiring.
Bullet buffs won’t be disappointed in the features or performance of the 21XRS.
How We Tested
- Engine: Mercury 250 Pro XS FourStroke
- Drive/Prop: Outboard/Mercury Bravo I FS 15.25″ x 28″ 4-blade stainless steel
- Gear Ratio: 1.75:1 Fuel Load: 35 gal. Crew Weight: 500 lb.
High Points
- The fit-and-finish of the crisp gelcoat lines is top of the line.
- Its 80 mph performance sends you sizzling across the lake.
- Many custom options are available to make your boat unique.
Pricing and Specs
| Price: | $122,900 (as tested) |
| LOA: | 21’10” |
| Beam: | 7’7″ |
| Draft: | NA |
| Dry Weight: | 1,400 lb. |
| Seat/Weight Capacity: | NA |
| Fuel Capacity: | 35 gal. |
| Livewell Capacity: | 45 gal. (divided) |
Speed, Efficiency, Operation
Bullet Boats – Knoxville, Tennessee; bulletboats.com
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Source: https://www.boatingmag.com/boats/2023-bullet-21xrs-fwbbg/
