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Hi Greg. You and I have the same model Mako and outboard (232 w/transom bracket, Yam 225 SSII OX66). To the best of my knowledge (the prop shop told me from their records), I have a stock Yamaha 17" pitch (diameter unknown) I believe it's the Saltwater Series Prop which, last fall with four persons and a relatively heavy load, I tested 39MPH at 5500 WOT in flat water trimmed out. My "usual" cruise in seas was 4200 - 4800 rpms, most often 44-4600 rpms, and running 22-28 mph, depending greatly on trim and seas. I don't push it and usually shoot for the best milage and ride under whatever conditions.
I sustained prop damage when a zinc vibrated loose, and the prop shop explained that the Yamaha props are so thin edged that there's not enough material to weld to, and they will have to take 1/8" off the blades to get down to an edge they can work with. And so they did and they threw in some cup also.
Well, it seems that now when I trim out for my best milage, I'm running higher rpms and have reduced speed. I'll be playing with this as the summer goes on, but my gut feeling is that I'll be repropping later this summer.
My question for you, Greg, if you would be so kind, is what prop are you running and are you happy with your rpm spectrum, performance and cruise stats? I'm not sure if I want to go with another Yamaha prop if there is another SS that performs as well or better and can take a little abuse without losing diameter.... or are the Yamaha Pro Series or Performance 3 Blades heavier than the Saltwater Series? Should I maybe be looking at a 19? I have no idea as I've never dealt with large boats before this one. I've always felt that my cruise rpms may be on the high side, but the last thing I want is to lug the motor.
Thanks for any advice you could offer, Greg, and anybody else please feel free to chime in. Sorry I'm not more specific on the prop. It's 200 miles south and six years out of mind.
Nimrod...I'm turning a Powertech 4 blade 151/4 by 16 pitch...equivalent to a 17 pitch 3-blade. WOT is 5400 at 40-41mph...cruise is 4300 at 25-28mph depending on seas. I went with the 4 blade for more stern lift as I always run loaded and in the ocean and it cut my planing speed down and really enhanced midrange power...which is where I run the boat 99% of the time. Boat came with a SWS 19 pitch..which was fine scooting around...but add 3 fat fishing buddies, 100 more gal of fuel, several hundred pounds of gear and ice and fill up my 32 gal Kodiak bait tank and it was an absolute slug......struggle to plane in sea conditions and WOT of about 48-4900 rpm's. The 19 really lugged my motor at load. With my current set up I get 1.7-2.1 mpg depending on the seas...and we generally always have 2-3 and some 3-4ft seas (with wind..the NC coast yah know?) in any given fishing day. Let me know if I can help any more.
By the way this guy was VERY helpful..... http://www.marineprop.com/ One good thing about PT is they will let you send back an undamaged prop and exchange if it doesn't work out. Greg
Greg, thank you very much for your reply. This is very good information. Can't tell you how much this helps, and I, too, seldom run without full fuel, four guys and ice, gear, etc. I've got the 42 gallon Kodiak Pro Flow, but rarely run it over 1/2 or 2/3. I really like your cruise rpms, speed and mpg. It's where I want to be but can't seem to swing it.
I'll let you know how things pan out when I delve into this.... which won't be long. Right now I'm trying to correct a problem charger that's cooking my batteries. If it ain't one thing...........
Good luck....these are heavy boats...never understood why the max hp is only 250. My 225 is what I would call adequate on this boat. The hull handles the ocean real well...but I do use a filled 150qt cooler and a filled 50qt cooler in front of the console (150 sideways in front of the console and 50 longways between the forward seating). The weight up front helps a lot. Hope you can make it all work. Greg
Hi Greg. Talked to Jeff at Marine Prop this morning, real nice and informative guy. Powertech makes two models of 4 blade 15 1/4" diameter 16" pitch propellers. They are the OFS and OFX. Both are the same price.
As Jeff explained, the "OFS" is cupped and offers better stern lift, the "OFX" is shaved a bit and the cup exaggerated and is better suited for bow lift. We both carry a good load up in front of the console. I have an SSI 200 qt loaded to the hilt in bait, block and crushed going out, then, of course , solid fish and salt slush coming in. I also like the ride with the weight up front. The four blade in itself offers more lift overall than a three, and I always use some tab and trim to help the boat ride higher. The question now is which model you are running.
Since your prop was drop-shipped, Jeff doesn't have record of the particulars and doesn't know which model you have. We're guessing the OFS because you mentioned stern lift, but he's going to check with the Powertech location that shipped and see if they have record. All I could offer was your name, Broadway, NC, and the year model of your boat for a place to start.
Greg, if this doesn't pan out, may I be so bold as to ask if you could possibly take a look at your prop for me next time you visit your boat. Jeff says the information is stamped at the base of a blade.... first the serial #, then part #(M200, UM200, CLU200, etc.) then OFS or OFX, then 4R16P. I suspect that your boat is not in your yard, as mine is 200 miles away, and I certainly do not want you to go out of your way to do this. Please don't. Hopefully Jeff can come up with the information, but if not, I can certainly wait until you go fishing again.
I'll let you know what Jeff says when he hears from the shipper. Again, much obliged for all the help.
Hi Greg. Jeff found your prop information at your drop shipper. You've got the "OFX" model with shaved blades and more cup.... Cushion Lock Hub and polished SS, which he suggested.
I bit the bullet and should have one here by late next week. If my specks are anywhere close to yours, I'll be well pleased. If not, I'll at least have a place from which to start. Thanks again for all your help, Greg. You've saved me a lot of time and grief. I'll let you know how she pans out.
Greg Manning, Mako Question 
, solid fish and salt slush coming in. I also like the ride with the weight up front. The four blade in itself offers more lift overall than a three, and I always use some tab and trim to help the boat ride higher. The question now is which model you are running. 
