Thread: 203 prop size ?

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  1. #1
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    203 prop size ?

    I have a 99 203 with a Merc 225 efi and it has a tempest 27 on it it seems like it may be overproped , any suggestions on a prop for this setup , thanks

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    #2
    Get a b&b tempest 26.

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    #3
    Mine will only spin a Croxton 25, 5750 @ ~70mph light. 65-67 Tx loaded.

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    #4
    You're pretty much dialed in with that 25, imo. I run two different Tempests - a worked 25 and a worked 27 that's been pitched back to a 26. I run the 27 by myself and drop to the 25 with a partner in the boat.
    Lake&Bay Boca
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    #5
    my 203 with pro xs 225 torque master lower unit turns a tempest and fury 26 with ease. 72-75 light load

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    #6
    Quote Originally Posted by Blassiter View Post
    my 203 with pro xs 225 torque master lower unit turns a tempest and fury 26 with ease. 72-75 light load
    I'd love to be there, I think the old EFI is just gettin tired though.

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    #7
    Neither of my 203's would hit consistently run over 70-71 light, with EFI or opti. 202 would get there and then some all day, every day, but a 203 with a 225 is dialed in well at 67-68 with any sort of fishing load, IMO.

    25 tempest works for me, could do a 26 in the cooler months. When I moved my 225EFI from my 202 to 203, I tried the 27 tempest I was running, and it was definitely too much prop.

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    #8
    Here are the details on the 203 I was running.

    it was a 98. opti 225 with over 600 hours. I had positive 5* wedges, 8" manual jackplate and a tempest 26 b&b by mark and dual 12' talons.

    The fastest I ran with a light load and the correct conditions was 74.1mph.
    Right conditions and a tournament load, 70-71 consistently.
    wrong conditions and a tournament load, 67-69mph.
    solo and wrong conditions - 70-71mph.

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    #9
    Quote Originally Posted by mixermark View Post
    Neither of my 203's would hit consistently run over 70-71 light, with EFI or opti. 202 would get there and then some all day, every day, but a 203 with a 225 is dialed in well at 67-68 with any sort of fishing load, IMO.

    25 tempest works for me, could do a 26 in the cooler months. When I moved my 225EFI from my 202 to 203, I tried the 27 tempest I was running, and it was definitely too much prop.
    We're on the same page.
    Lake&Bay Boca
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    #10
    Quote Originally Posted by 98 Elite203 View Post
    Here are the details on the 203 I was running.

    it was a 98. opti 225 with over 600 hours. I had positive 5* wedges, 8" manual jackplate and a tempest 26 b&b by mark and dual 12' talons.

    The fastest I ran with a light load and the correct conditions was 74.1mph.
    Right conditions and a tournament load, 70-71 consistently.
    wrong conditions and a tournament load, 67-69mph.
    solo and wrong conditions - 70-71mph.
    Mark really did some magic to that prop- you are 3-4mph faster than either my 98 or 99 203's. Good job on the setup.

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    #11
    Quote Originally Posted by mixermark View Post
    Mark really did some magic to that prop- you are 3-4mph faster than either my 98 or 99 203's. Good job on the setup.
    I ran those speeds with 2 different props. Both were tempest 26's worked by mark tho.

    Do you have wedges? It really didnt wake up until the positive 5* wedges were added.

    I dont have the boat anymore tho.

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    #12
    I run trim extenders. 10" plate, with a tempest 25 on both of mine. Was yours a single console?

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    #13
    Quote Originally Posted by mixermark View Post
    I run trim extenders. 10" plate, with a tempest 25 on both of mine. Was yours a single console?
    Trim extenders aren’t enough imo. I ran them first. They helped, but the positive 5* wedges gave me 3-4mph alone.

    yes, single console.

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    #14
    Nice.

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    #15
    I have tried 3 different props on my rig. (Same as yours) 26 Trophy Plus worked by Mark was the best overall for tournament fishing.(best 73.7) I have a 27 Tempest stock that I have run to 74.7, but it can't carry a load very well. I have tried a 26 Fury, but it was way too much prop even with all of the holes open.


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    #16
    Quote Originally Posted by U.S. eh Champ! View Post
    I have tried 3 different props on my rig. (Same as yours) 26 Trophy Plus worked by Mark was the best overall for tournament fishing.(best 73.7) I have a 27 Tempest stock that I have run to 74.7, but it can't carry a load very well. I have tried a 26 Fury, but it was way too much prop even with all of the holes open.
    Wow! That’s a light boat or a strong 225. Mine couldn’t get close to spinning either of those props.

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    #17
    Quote Originally Posted by BassinB View Post
    Wow! That’s a light boat or a strong 225. Mine couldn’t get close to spinning either of those props.
    Could be both or just cooler air and water up north. I am certainly weight conscious. I have fished the St. Lawrence River my whole life, so I have a good idea of what I will definitely need and what I might need. Everything else stays in the garage.