Need advice: Propping a 295 Pro XL / 225 Pro XS / 8" Atlas

[CDN Bass]

Well, the old 2000 225 Opti-pop on my boat has gone sour and I came across a fresh rebuild 2006 225 Pro XS. I have a couple of 4 blade props, a 24 & 25 pitch. My boat is a 2004 Stratos 295 Pro XL. I fish the Bay of Quinte and Lake Ontario/Thousand Islands.

Question: Can I use one of my two existing props, or should I go to a Fury or Tempest, and if so, what pitch? What would be the ramifications/performance?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

(And yes, I've already done a thorough BBC Search)

Thanks, guys!

[CDN Bass]

I've checked the owner's lists and there are only four 04 to 06 295 Pro XL's.

1) '04 295 Pro XL / 200 Johnson / 6" Slidemaster / 27" Raker / 71 mph @ 5450 rpm

2) '04 295 Pro XL / 200 Yammy / 5" Power Lift manual / 27" Yammy / 69 mph @ 5300 rpm

3) '04 295 XL / 200 Merc / 6" JP / 25" Power Tech / 70 mph @ 5800 rpm

4) '05 295 Pro XL / 200 Rude / JP / 25" Tempest Plus

Looks like the '04 295 is somewhat of a unicorn. I'm wondering if it shares the same hull as the '04 - '06 294. I've looked that up too, and the info was a little confusing. Can anyone clarify?

[tdt91]

Same boat, single console 294 and duel console 295. You should be able to turn a 26 or 27P. Big water like you are on a lot I would go with a Trophy.

[JR19]

294 and 295 have the same hul. The top cap lay out is different. If my memory is correct the main difference is one has a single large storage compartment in the middle up front and the other has two smaller storage comaprtments up front. There might be a slight difference in the style of the dash also but as for the hull they are the exact same.

Both the 294 and 295 were rated for 200 HP. I see where you're running a 225. There was a local guy who ran one with a Merc Racing 225X for a few years on my home lake. he had done a few minor mods and was making a litle north of 225 HP so it was a real screamer. A guy I know had a 294 with a Mercury 200 Pro XS. I fished out of it a couple times and with 200 ponies it would do very well. Personally I always thought if I got another boat I would go with the 294 or 295 because I really like how they ride and at 19'6" you can still get them in tight spaces.

[CDN Bass]

Same boat, single console 294 and duel console 295. You should be able to turn a 26 or 27P. Big water like you are on a lot I would go with a Trophy.

294 and 295 have the same hul. The top cap lay out is different. If my memory is correct the main difference is one has a single large storage compartment in the middle up front and the other has two smaller storage comaprtments up front. There might be a slight difference in the style of the dash also but as for the hull they are the exact same.

Both the 294 and 295 were rated for 200 HP. I see where you're running a 225. There was a local guy who ran one with a Merc Racing 225X for a few years on my home lake. he had done a few minor mods and was making a litle north of 225 HP so it was a real screamer. A guy I know had a 294 with a Mercury 200 Pro XS. I fished out of it a couple times and with 200 ponies it would do very well. Personally I always thought if I got another boat I would go with the 294 or 295 because I really like how they ride and at 19'6" you can still get them in tight spaces.

Well, thank you very much!... as that clarifies a lot on the 294/295 differences. The only reason that I'm putting a 225 on it is because I cannot find a 200 anywhere up here, unless new at >21K CAD, and that's just retarded. A rebuilt 225 Pro Xs at $6500 CAD is more in my price range, and I'll part out the old 225 that has a new bottom end. The hole shot with the tired 225 and a 24 four blade is just horrible, and the tired old 225 with 80 to 110 psi won't do over 4900 rpm/60 mph. I hate the 6-8" hydraulic jack plate (not used to it), and I think I'll dump that and go with a 6" manual, set it, and forget it, although I do have to take the Talons and mounts into consideration.

I had a Triton Tr21 DC/225 Opti years ago, and ran a 6" jp / 2 3/8" below pad / 26" Trophy / 5550 rpm / 68 mph. I don't need to go rocket fast, but 65-70 mph would be nice for sh*ts, giggles, and the occasional arss pucker in a 19'6" boat. Also, the boat fits in my garage!

Thanks for your help!

[DTS]

With the 225 Pro XS, you need to prop it for 5750-5850 rpms. With that said, get a good 27 tempest with cup added and see where that gets you. On that rig I would say that or a 26 fury will give you a good holeshot and should put you in the 73-75 mph range on the big end(so long you don’t carry a tackle store with you). Keep in mind the 200 Pro XL with the same motors are running 73+ so more is possible! Also, I would keep that hydraulic plate!! Sounds like you’ve got a sweet boat there.

[CDN Bass]

With the 225 Pro XS, you need to prop it for 5750-5850 rpms. With that said, get a good 27 tempest with cup added and see where that gets you. On that rig I would say that or a 26 fury will give you a good holeshot and should put you in the 73-75 mph range on the big end(so long you don’t carry a tackle store with you). Keep in mind the 200 Pro XL with the same motors are running 73+ so more is possible! Also, I would keep that hydraulic plate!! Sounds like you’ve got a sweet boat there.

I can get a 26 Fury for a good price, and a 26 Tempest for an even better price. The shop that's providing the 225 has a ton of used props, so he told me to wait for the motor install in April, and we'll pick the right prop(s) for the boat set up. He'll even take my 4 blades in trade. Although I live 2 1/2 hrs away, he said he'd send me off with a few, find the one(s) that work, then send the others back and pay for the ones I keep.

... and ya, as per the consensus, I think that I'll keep the HJP and learn how to use it. It'll come in handy on the big water.


Thanks!

[M4A1]

Just remember to prop for 5850 when completely loaded down, livewells and all. I would personally go with a 4 blade for running big water. Bravo or Hydro would be my picks.

[tdt91]

Like I said before and M4A1 says, 4 blade for that big water that can get rough. They will hold the water much better than a 3 bld. 3 blades blow out (no grip) in waves.

[CDN Bass]

Just remember to prop for 5850 when completely loaded down, livewells and all. I would personally go with a 4 blade for running big water. Bravo or Hydro would be my picks.

... and what pitch?

[M4A1]

... and what pitch?

I would try out your 25p to start. What is it?

[CDN Bass]

I would try out your 25p to start. What is it?

It's stamped: Mercury Promax 14.5 x 25

(I have a 24 as well, but the boat is sardined in the garage up against the wall so I can't read it.)

[M4A1]

Idk if the Promax will be a good fit on our hulls. I think a Bravo or Hydro is a better choice. Definitely interested to hear how it runs on yours though. I think the 24p will be too small unless you run really heavy.

[CDN Bass]

Idk if the Promax will be a good fit on our hulls. I think a Bravo or Hydro is a better choice. Definitely interested to hear how it runs on yours though. I think the 24p will be too small unless you run really heavy.

I looked up the Promax and it appears to be a racing prop for high surfacing applications. It looks virtually brand new, so I may just trade it for one that is more appropriate.

As for the Bravo, do you mean the Bravo I XS ?

http://www.mercuryracing.com/boat-pr...rd/bravo-i-fs/


... and what is this Hydro that you speak of?

I can also get my hands on a Trophy Plus 26 to try out.

[M4A1]

Yes, Bravo 1 XS.

Hydro = Hydromotive propellers. I run the Quad IV-X O/B personally. More expensive, but very good prop.
http://hydromotive.com/products/prop...-quad-iv-x-ob/

Definitely try out the Trophy if you can as well.

[DTS]

The promax props probably wouldn’t do well On a stratos, they are meant to be run very high on the plate. They’re a strong stiff prop though!

[Jumping Jimmy]

I have a 04 195 ProXL, same boat as you have. I run an Evinrude but in my opinion it is hard to beat a Tempest prop for that boat. Your boat need a lot of bow lift to fly and a Tempest caries the bow very well. With that 225 I would start with a 26 Tempest and adjust from there. If that motor is well you should see mid to high 70s. Fastest mine ever ran was 74.5.

[201pro]

26 stock tempest are usually junk. Will need it to be worked from a good prop guy. They consistently don’t have the same pitch between blades. Seems that your boat with a 225 would be closer to a 27, same as a 201 with a 250.

[CDN Bass]

The promax props probably wouldn’t do well On a stratos, they are meant to be run very high on the plate. They’re a strong stiff prop though!

OK... I'll ditch the Pro Max.

I have a 04 195 ProXL, same boat as you have. I run an Evinrude but in my opinion it is hard to beat a Tempest prop for that boat. Your boat need a lot of bow lift to fly and a Tempest caries the bow very well. With that 225 I would start with a 26 Tempest and adjust from there. If that motor is well you should see mid to high 70s. Fastest mine ever ran was 74.5.

With what prop?

26 stock tempest are usually junk. Will need it to be worked from a good prop guy. They consistently don’t have the same pitch between blades. Seems that your boat with a 225 would be closer to a 27, same as a 201 with a 250.

How about a 26 Fury?

[Jumping Jimmy]

My fasted speed was with a 27 Tempest in the winter. The prop was worked by Robbie at Propeller Dynamics in Chester VA. I could turn that prop to 6100 rpm in cool weather with a lightning gearcase and just me in the boat. I miss that gearcase. It broke and I replaced it with a magnum case. Now 70 is all I can get.