cougar with 225 opti

[duggyjo]

Hi looking at a used Cougar with a 225 Opti.

Anyone have any thoughts, numbers, prop suggestions.

[billius]

I had an '06 CougarFTD with a 225 Opti. The 225 pushed it along in the low 70's. Good hole shot. Some who had that combination claimed high 70's. But you know what they say about gas mileage claims and boat speeds. Mine had a 25 Trophy 4 blade prop. I enjoyed that rig.

[Keithdharmon]

I have a 2003 DC Cougar FTD with a 2003 Mercury Opti 225 with 300 hrs on it. I have a 25P Tempest Plus. I have two Power Pole Blades and I run in the upper 60's and low 70's consistently. The hole shot is great. With 52 gallons of fuel and the live wells full and tournament load it will run 68mph. I hope this helps

[n2ratfishin]

My 08 Cougar AE with a 225 Opti was a solid boat. I had the steel reeds replaced with Boysen to prevent ingesting one and tearing up the motor. I had the bunks replaced the year before I sold it...they are double wrapped in carpet and may need replaced quicker than others depending on how often you’re out? I ran a Trophy and never touched the factory settings. It ran solid high 60’s in the summer and would hit the rev limiter in the winter if I was by myself about 72.5? I’ve not had it in almost two years.

It still looked and performed like like a new one when I traded it at eight years old. The only downside to running a Trophy on that rig is loading it on the trailer. The prop won’t push the boat on the trailer. Plenty of people report the 24 or 25 Fury is a good alternative.

[Rick Collis]

Had an 03 Cougar with a 225 Opti. Ran a 25p Tempest Plus. Great boat
Wish I had it back.

[Hammy19]

I have an 04 cougar 225 opti.I was out yesterday 94 degrees and very high humidity. 700#’s of men 40 gallons of gas and live wells full ran 68-70. By myself it will run 73-74 with a 26 tempest on it. I had a Ronnie Gilbert 25 Fury and ran 75-76 with it. Very good riding hull! Good luck with your decision.

[lpugh]

I have an 04 cougar 225 opti.I was out yesterday 94 degrees and very high humidity. 700#’s of men 40 gallons of gas and live wells full ran 68-70. By myself it will run 73-74 with a 26 tempest on it. I had a Ronnie Gilbert 25 Fury and ran 75-76 with it. Very good riding hull! Good luck with your decision.

Did you have eric reflash the ecm, You are running very close to the same numbers I get with my 03 cougar. What rpms are you now turning with the 25 Fury. I have a new 25 on the back to me now from Ronnie my 26 was about 200 to low for the summer monthes

[Hammy19]

What’s up Leon! No sir it’s still all stock! I was able to turn the Fury at 5600 rpm. It was in the spring when I did it. I was actually going to try a 24 fury for the summer months.

[Sports1]

What year is the Cougar?

[lpugh]

I like mine well enough that I am seriously considering a new 250r upgrade for it, It is an 03 and only has 2 very small stress cracks on the hull, In my opinion that in itself is very impressive. Even though my motor is just a plain jane 225 opti I am quite often passing rangers and Nitros with 250 xs motors. Reasonably fast, handles rough water well, drives very well and zero chine walk all the up to 75 when by myself moderate loaded, the older models like mine were close to 350 lbs lighter and use vinal esther resins in the hull
They are a damn fine boat