Lurchy Posted December 21, 2023 Report Share Posted December 21, 2023 I am looking for an ideal three blade prop for my pathfinder and vmax 225 (04). I have a second station tower as well. I ran a four blade 13.5" that came with the boat for awhile, (Many issues with spinning the hub), then switched to a three blade and liked the performance better (fuel econ and performance). I would like recommendations on a new prop and size.. maybe a saltwater series II HP 15.25", 18 pitch? No expert, just want a good, overall dependable, economical, fuel efficient prop. Thanks for any info shared.. I am now in the market bc a thought a spun my three blade prop but I now think I have a different issue. I was running on plane and the motor just seemed to go out of gear all the sudden (no clanking, just revved up a lot), put it in neutral a few times and got it back up on plane and it would happen again later in the day. It didn't matter if I ran it from either top or bottom station. I took the prop to get re-hubbed (another story) but put it back on and it ran well for a mile or so then it happened again.. Anyone have any thoughts? Something more serious with the lower unit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fin-addict Posted December 21, 2023 Report Share Posted December 21, 2023 Does not sound like that’s a prop issue. More of a lower unit problem. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoneyB Posted December 22, 2023 Report Share Posted December 22, 2023 The coming out of gear sounds like it is in the linkage or possibly in the foot. As for a three blade prop.. look for a tempest plus three blade. Lots of lift lots of speed. It’s a great prop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lurchy Posted January 29 Author Report Share Posted January 29 Thanks for the info. I will def take a look at the tempest. I think my mechanic finally diagnosed the issue with the coming out of gear.. Looks like a potentiometer going bad in the gray electronics control box under the throttle. Hope a replacement can be obtained and I can get back out there and just fish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishmanjj Posted January 29 Report Share Posted January 29 I run a 4 blade OFX4R-17 on a 2009 2200XL Pathfinder it’s a F150 with no issues. 43mph at 5400 rpm. I can’t imagine what rpm’s that 225 is turning with a 13.5” 4 blade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator Posted January 30 Report Share Posted January 30 You have cables to shift the gears. With a second station tower, there will be a junction where the shifting happens. There are adjustments that join the two clutch levers. It sounds like the cables are not shifting completely into gear and the engine pops out of gear. Have a good mechanic or engine rigger look at it.. That’s not good for anything in the motor or the lower unit.. MM 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Seither Posted January 30 Report Share Posted January 30 Pull the lower unit oil and see if its loaded with metal, if ya see a load of metal flakes something is going south! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lurchy Posted February 13 Author Report Share Posted February 13 It was a potentiometer going bad in the gray electronics control box under the throttle. It was replaced and the boat runs fine now. Mechanic said that we were lucky to get the replacement part as most of the parts for the controls are discontinued. 2005 controls seems to be completely outdated and parts will be nearly impossible to find. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lurchy Posted February 14 Author Report Share Posted February 14 Also, still looking for the ideal prop for my rig. Any recommendations would be appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lap it Up Posted February 14 Report Share Posted February 14 Propping a tunnel boat is a little different than propping a 2200Vbottom. A lot of those 22T’s were sold in Texas. Maybe try the Texas fishing area thread and see if anyone has a recommendation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoneyB Posted February 14 Report Share Posted February 14 One important piece of information that you did not give us was the make or pitch of the three blade prop that you had. I have a run a lot of props on my 2200trs. I do not have a second station only a t-top. My thought would be that you need a fairly special prop to lift the weight of the second station. I personally have had better results with mercury props than other brands. That is largely due in part to the fact that I have tried more mercury props than other brands. I will leave out my thoughts on four blades since you seem to be looking for only three blade prop that will work for you. The tempest plus is a great prop that seems to lift hulls out of the water very well. They are also pretty easy to find in used and good condition. The Enertia is also a big blade prop that runs very well and in my experience has good bite on the water. Now my newest three blade is the Enertia ECO. This prop was designed for fuel economy. The word is they built it for fuel economy but found out it is pretty fast as well. The ECO is my newest in a long line of props. I have only run it once. It 40mph at 3800 rpm. I was impressed with that and it probably jumped on plane faster than some very nice four blades I own. Now to pitch. Your 225 2smoke should spin up pretty well. I can tell you before I flashed my 200SHO. I was running a 19 pitch tempest plus that was spinning up to the upper end of the rpm range. Just throwing a dart not knowing what 3 blade prop or the pitch of said prop that you ran I would say 19pitch might do you well. Again I do not have a second station so you might need 18 or so on the pitch. I know that is saying a lot not to give a direct answer but I just have no experience with a boat with a second station. yes my wife does call me a prop whore! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lurchy Posted March 1 Author Report Share Posted March 1 Thanks Honey B, you prop whore you! Very useful advise. It seems I am getting about the same fuel econ between both the three and four blade prop. With light loads the four blade is fine, but with the main well full and another person, I definitely feel bogged down trying to get up on plane. I am going to look for used Enertia ECO in a 19pitch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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