Set up help zx225

I’m running a 15 zx225. Motor has a T1 25 pitch prop. It’s turning 5900-6000 depending on the load. 67 solo and 62 with 2 big guys. Water pressure is 18-20 lbs depending on where the motor is trimmed to. Not sure on exact prop to pad but I will find that out I know there are 6.5 dots showing on the jack plate. I just got this boat and the leak down numbers and compression look great. One thing I noticed is the boat is hard to turn when running wot like there is to much boat in the water. Hole shot is very fast. Any help is appreciated, I feel like this boat should run 70 or close to it loaded.

I got 70+ out of my 2019 225 this weekend and I am a big guy. I have a T2 25. One thing that seemed to really make a difference was weight placement. I moved my soft plastics to the back and got 2 mph. It does seem hard to turn going that fast. I have a hydraulic jackplate so I am still figuring out that setpoint. Seems to run best on 8. (height not dots)

I have a 19' 225 as well and it runs 73 fully loaded with full tanks and 2 200 lb men. The biggest key is loading, all plastics and terminal to the rear it runs 73. Plastics and terminal in front and it runs 67. Its hard to believe but weight on these boats is huge. When I add the 3rd person it drops clear down to 65. I dont like to go off dots but my ptp is 2.25 inches. Or "9 dots showing".

The T-1 is a good prop, but yours is slipping terribly. You probably need to lower the jackplate. I have a Bob's, so I can't help with the dots. It's best to measure prop shaft height, than to go by the scale/dots on the jackplate. If you're more than 3" below the pad, then the prop need some work.

Like others have said, moving weight around can help. Properly set-up, that is a 70+ mph boat loaded.

Thanks for the info guy I plan on running it Friday. What is the minimum water pressure for the SHO? This is the first one I have had.

That boat should be running with 7 to 8 dots showing, pushing 5900 to 6000 with that prop. Sounds to me like the prop was repaired and placed on the boat for sale. if you can try borrowing another t1 or t2 25pitch

Thanks also noted that the boat is very hard to steer at wot

Measured the pro to pad and came up with 2.25 in, so with it being that high and hard to turn at wot I dropped it down a inch and am now running 69 fully loaded. That’s a good improvement I am going to keep working with it to get it fine tuned and I’m going to have the prop worked bc it does have a few dings in it. Thanks for the help guys.

So you have it set at 3.25 now and gained 2 mph. I am trying to figure mine out also. I can only get 67-68 out of mine is why I am asking.

Yes I dropped it down to 3.25 and got 69 out of it loaded. I am still trying to fine tune it but I got to get my prop worked first it has a couple dings in it that I figured are hurting it on top end

If the prop is too high steering will be hard. When the trim is high steering will be hard.

Everything is a compromise. Having everything set up for the highest speed will take away from handling and vice versa.
Weight distribution is important - not just from front to back but from side to side too. When riding on a 1'X3' area of your hull at WOT minor changes can make a difference.
Adding gas? Redistribute weight. Add a partner? Redistribute weight. Full livewells? Redistribute weight. My 2012 Skeeter had two tanks in the back. By myself I often left the starboard tank close to empty to balance the load with me in it. I would also leave the starboard livewell empty too. Balance was really good. The newer boats have one gas tank and one livewell so it's a bit more challenging to get side to side balance. At 72 and higher my bow starts doing circles - clearly my balance is a bit off since it doesn't do that with a partner.

Having a hydraulic jack plate is handy since you can adjust the motor for various weight conditions (at least front to back) and weather. In rough water you really want your prop deeper to have more bite for better handling and control.
Most of the time I fish with a partner so I opt for better handling and a smooth ride and I can still hit 70 with a full livewell and ideal conditions. In the summer there is too much boat traffic to drive 70 anyway.