Boat Test: 2025 Vexus VXs21
The performance-engineered pad-V hull provides intuitive reaction to throttle and steering inputs.
Courtesy Vexus Boats—Advanced Marine Performance
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Overview
Vexus Boats’ VXs21 is a full-size bass hunter aimed squarely at serious anglers. This boat is a pure fishing machine designed for running on big water and chasing big bass.
The fiberglass console features a 12-inch built-in Garmin multifunction display. A 16-incher will fit the space if you desire a larger one.
Courtesy Vexus Boats—Advanced Marine Performance
Engine
When rigged, like our test boat, with Mercury’s 250 Pro XS V-8, performance proved strong and powerful. It tops out at 70 mph and accelerates on plane in just under 5 seconds, hitting 30 mph in 6.5 seconds. The big 250-horse Mercury outboard is not even the maximum power that this near-22-footer can handle either. The VXs21 is rated for 300 hp and, in my opinion, would likely approach 80 mph with that many ponies pushing it.
The Vexus pad-V hull rides clean at speeds above 30 mph. We noted that its best mileage of 4.6 mpg was achieved at a best cruise speed of 32.5 mph and 3,500 rpm, burning just 7 gph. With the VXs21’s 58-gallon fuel tank full of fuel, that’s a range of 242 miles, leaving 10 percent in reserve. You can confidently fish the big impoundments or a whole weekend on smaller lakes without stopping for gas with this boat.
Anglers will appreciate the mega-size fishing deck.
Courtesy Vexus Boats—Advanced Marine Performance
The performance-engineered pad-V hull delivers great feedback and provides intuitive reaction to throttle and steering inputs. Whether cruising in the 30 mph range or cranking along at 60, it carved turns and hopped wakes for me with authority. The bow flares wide, repelling waves, while providing what experienced anglers know as a Vexus trademark: the mega-size fishing deck. The flared bow of the VXs21 boasts enough room for two anglers to fish side-by-side without crowding.
Vexus’ construction features all-composite hand-laid fiberglass infused with vinylester resin, which is the most blister-resistant type of resin. The brilliant gelcoat finish features a combination of polyflake and solid colors. It is expertly done with clean, crisp lines and no jagged edges between the flake and solid panels that I could find, and I looked at it hard. Do the same if you want to know what a “textbook” job looks like.
An insulated cooler is easy to access.
Courtesy Vexus Boats—Advanced Marine Performance
Interior and Accessories
It’s clear that Vexus knows what serious anglers want in a boat. Look at the layout of the VXs21. At the bow, there’s ample space for large, stacked displays. Shallow-water anchor foot controls, cup and tool holders, and switches for the outboard trim and navigation lights are all within easy reach. Bow deck storage includes a 9-foot rod box with a quick-draw shelf for your favorite rods. An 8-foot centerline compartment is equipped with side slots for 3700-style storage boxes, plus added room below the rods for more gear. Just in front of the console, another large locker and day box complete the storage offerings. All of these compartments feature Vexus’ Dri-Max system of rain channels, raised moisture dams, weather-tight seals, and stainless-steel compression latches. You can be confident of your stowed gear staying dry aboard this boat.
In the cockpit, the center step features tool holders and a slide-out drawer with a slam latch for quick access to smaller items such as cellphones, wallets and keys. Additional storage in the cockpit includes a hinged box in front of the passenger seating as well as open bins with cup holders positioned alongside both the port and starboard seating. Behind the seating is another slot for a fish net. Handy! In the middle of the cockpit, an insulated cooler is built in. Lunch is at hand.
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The aft deck features dual livewells with lids.
Courtesy Vexus Boats—Advanced Marine Performance
In the center walkway, we noted stainless-steel latches and full-length hinges fastening thick, deep fiberglass hatch lids to the deck. Water channels wick away moisture from gear stowed below. Plush, deep-bolstered bucket seats feature AirWave pedestals for shock-absorbing comfort. Below the cockpit sits the 58-gallon fuel tank, giving the Vexus a very low center of gravity, which contributes to the confident and precise feel of this boat underway.
The fiberglass console features a 12-inch built-in Garmin multifunction display. A 16-incher will fit the space if you desire a larger one. A Fusion stereo is optional ($752). Digital switching is now standard. Besides reliability and ease of troubleshooting, this comes with a nifty graphic showing all active and dormant circuits and electrical functions The tilt-helm hydraulic-steering system and a manual jack plate are also standard. An adjust-on-the-fly hydraulic jack plate can be optionally installed ($1,924).
Shopping? Bullet’s 21XRS checks in at 21 feet, 10 inches long and 7 feet, 6 inches wide. When rigged with the same power—a Mercury 250 Pro XS—it tops out at 79 mph and sells for $122,900 fully decked out.
Deep-bolstered bucket seats feature AirWave pedestals for shock-absorbing comfort.
Courtesy Vexus Boats—Advanced Marine Performance
The VXs21’s aft deck features dual livewells with lids. A set of acrylic baffles under the carpeted lids allows for anti-slosh livewell filling and fish-keeping in rougher water. The aft rigging compartment is very cleanly rigged, in my opinion, with all batteries and pumps fully accessible. The Minn Kota Raptor 12-volt shallow-water anchors are installed by being through-bolted directly to the transom. A stainless-steel, stowable boarding ladder is standard, a great convenience, and a safety feature in compliance with ABYC standards.
How We Tested- Engine: Mercury FourStroke 250 hp V-8
- Drive/Prop: Outboard/Mercury Fury 14″ x 23″ 3-blade stainless steel
- Gear Ratio: 1.75:1 Fuel Load: 30 gal. Crew Weight: 250 lb.
- The aft boarding ladder features an “idiot light” on the dash, which is activated if it’s left deployed. For those who have ever returned to port with the ladder splashing along, this is a cool tech feature.
- The easy-driving nature of the VXs belies its high-performance propensity. No advanced degree in pad-boat driving is necessary; even neophyte pilots can -balance this boat after a few passes.
- While the 70 mph top end will likely -satisfy most, we’d probably opt for the 300 hp Mercury to get closer to 80.
Vexus VXs21 Certified Test Results
Boating Magazine
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Vexus Boats—Advanced Marine Performance – Flippin, Arkansas; vexusboats.com
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