Yamaha F200 LB prop choice for new engine question

[Strake]

Hi,

New to Pontoons after trading our 2007 Sea Ray 250 SLX bow rider for a 2015 Berkshire 233 RFX STS Tritoon a few weeks ago. The new boat is in at the dealer awaiting the Yamaha F200 LB engine to arrive in the next several days. The toon will have 3 full length logs with lifting strakes on all tubes. We should take possession of the new boat in the next 2 weeks. Pics forthcoming, I promise

My question is regarding the prop choice my dealer is encouraging me to go. He says they go with aluminum props and that they work just as well as a much more expensive Yamaha Reliance SDS SS prop. I'm a bit confused, as the other big dealer here at SML only puts on the Reliance SS prop on any Yamaha engine 150 hp and up. I even stopped by their facility to see and talk with them. I don't know if it's because they just automatically up charge all their customers who seem to go with it and pay more.

The two local Yamaha big dealers claim that the Reliance SS is close to $800 VS an alum prop at $180 or so. I've found several online places to buy a Reliance at about $500.

My dealer will charge me the difference if I really want the Reliance SS prop, but they aren't pushing it by any means.

I'm confused....... am I missing something, or is my dealer just being straight forward and not trying to up sell me ??? I can always take the set up with the alum prop and then if I want the Reliance SS prop I can buy one online later and keep the alum as a spare.

It appears that the likely starting size would be a 14.25 X 17 pitch...... or a 14.5 X 15 pitch.

Your thoughts or comments are greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Richard

[RcgTexas]

This may start controversy but here it is. I have SS and have used them before. Unless you are going to race that boat and demand high performance no flex prop I say go with the aluminum. There is one on my boat right now. If I hit something substantial I'd rather fix or replace the aluminum than a SS high dollar prop. You might also bend a prop shaft and spend some real money.

I'd say try the aluminum and if you don't like the performance you can adjust it cheaper, then get a good SS with the right pitch and diameter. or just use the aluminum, I do.

For my purposes the Aluminum is the way to go. I cruise at 28 mph with a 135 Honda and pull tubers and skiers and an ass load of people with it.

[cwag911]

With a 200 you'll want the SS. You won't be happy with the aluminum. And did you get power steering?

[COTTS4x4]

My boat with the 150 has the 14.5 X 15 pitch reliance SS prop. The dealer here puts stainless on 150hp plus engines.

[rdeterman]

Im running a similar boat and have the 200LB with 14.5x15 SS Yamaha prop. Everything seems to be right on the money. The 17p will be to much prop with any amount of load.

[Strake]

With a 200 you'll want the SS. You won't be happy with the aluminum. And did you get power steering?

Yes, has power assist steering pump, with Sea Star Hydraulic steering.

Thanks to all who replied....... still open to hear as many opinions as possible. Just wasn't sure if I was missing something.

I'm leaning towards just going with the aluminum for now and if I'm not happy later can always buy the Reliance SS online for about what the dealer wants to charge me for "the difference" between alum and the SS.

Got an update from the dealer today to say our engine is on a truck here from the distributor...... I'm told the only distributor for the US is in Washington State. Seems kind of strange that there is no east coast distributor.

Also, is it true that all of these outboard engines are shipped without a prop?

thanks,

Richard

[RcgTexas]

Yep! they say due to different applications. If the Aluminum wouldn't hold up they wouldn't sell it for larger motors. its just most people with large motors want performance and you will get better performance with SS. but on a pontoon boat I don't know if it will show up. MHO

[rdeterman]

Yes all outboards ship without a prop. I would just order a Yamaha SS prop online that way you have both props.

[cwag911]

Yes the difference will show on a pontoon boat, that's why I changed from aluminum to an Enertia.

[fasttoons]

$800 is not a good price for that prop. You should be able to get them for about $500. You have spent some good $$$ on that rig. Don't use a cheap Aluminum prop ,get a Yamaha SS prop. It's worth it for anything over 150HP. Ask the dealer what size prop the factory recommended or look up what Yamaha is using in their performance tests on their website.

[cwag911]

Here ya go:

Here's an Enertia: http://www.ebay.com/itm/ENERTIA-14-5-x- ... ac&vxp=mtr

[Strake]

Yep...... agreed. I've told the dealer that I want the Reliance SS SDS prop...... I also told them I called Yamaha directly, as I did who informed me that this engine is set up, and designed for the SDS Reliance SS prop. The hardware supplied with the engine is what is needed for the SS prop. I printed out the retail price of the SS prop at $589.95 and would pay them the difference between the alum prop and the SS.

My new engine is due to my dealer next Friday. Hopefully, we get the boat delivered a few days later.

Thank everyone who replied.

[Strake]

Here ya go:

Here's an Enertia: http://www.ebay.com/itm/ENERTIA-14-5-x- ... ac&vxp=mtr

Thanks Carl, but this one is a Left hand rotation..... I need right hand. I'm watching another one at $137 now that ends shortly.

[Bamaman]

Most of the 150 hp and larger outboards we see on tritoons are stainless steel propped. Any good, experienced pontoon boat dealer would want your boat to perform at its full potential, and that's simply not with an aluminum prop.

You're at a disadvantage taking delivery this time of the year. You need to go to the lake on day one to begin breaking in your motor so you can at least check out the speed/maximum rpm's of your motor and hull combination. Your boat might run differently under cold temperatures vs. summer temperatures--and getting an opinion of a prop may be a little more difficult.

The 15 pitch Reliance will no doubt work for your prop. My question is whether a 17 pitch prop will better suit your needs--if you're a top speed kind'a guy. There are some reports of the new 4 cylinder F200 pushing 44-45 mph with the 17 pitch.

My F150 came with a Yamaha M14 stainless prop, and it was quickly up against the rev limiter @ 6,300 rpm's. My dealer was good to order in a 15 pitch Reliance prop, and it's just perfect for my boat. I'm getting 40 mph @ 6000 rpm's with my 2.0:1 gear ratio. The F200's have a 1.88:1 gear ratio.

You're thinking about paying the difference between list prices is reasonable. Your dealer's original quoted price difference on alum. vs. stainless props is unreasonable--too much profit.

I don't understand the engine coming out of the West Coast distributer. My dealer purchases Yamaha outboards directly from Bennington who buys them at large fleet/volume discounts. My dealer could buy outboards from Yamaha directly--but not at a price close to what Bennington sells them for.

[Drago]

Stick with what Carl says. He knows his sh**!!. The RH vs LH makes no difference. You would only have to reset the trim tab just above the prop.