Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

I'm thinking of making a small splurge on a better prop. I was wondering if anyone can suggest something better? It's a Solas 14.25x17 SS and has a lot of slip at fully loaded WOT (6200RPM speed varies by load). I was wondering if a thinner but maybe cupped and slightly higher pitched would get me less slip and higher speed. I could raise the engine two holes but then might have issues with water pressure and blowout in hard turns.

First off, a 14.25" diameter prop seem a bit small for a 225hp outboard. I'm not too familiar with Yamaha's lineup but I would think there are 15"+ diameter props avalible for your engine. Suzuki's in that HP range run 15.5-16" props. Could be the reason for your excessive slip. Hell my 70hp engine is swinging a 14" stainless prop and slips sometimes, you have 3x the HP!

I think an 18p Enertia would do you just fine.

As Bryan recommends, I've looked at the cavitation plate and the depth varies a bit with load at the back of the boat. I weigh 250lbs and when I stand back there to observe, it is always just under the water a couple of inches at full speed - it's not something you can directly measure.