30 Marlin with F225's

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GW96

Member
Came across an '03 Marlin with F 225's on it. Looking for anyone who has run one with these, I know they were on a lot of Marlin's and the also the 33 Express' for a while before the 250's came out.

The owner said he runs about 18 mph at 3600 RPM, I don't like the sound of that. I'd probably run them at 4K, but even then I figure it'd run at like 22mph which is slow. Can always play with propping and run it a bit higher, 42-4400, not sure what's on there now, but I know the F225 is closer to like 210HP than it is 225. Seems underpowered to me, but I guess in '02 that was the biggest newest Yami that Grady could hang on there.

Anyway, just looking for opinions or anyone who has run or is running one with the F225's on it.


Thanks.
 
Fishtales

Fishtales

Well-Known Member
They were on it likely because it was all they had back then. I have twin F225s on a 282 and have twin F250s on the Marlin. I'd say it is a bit underpowered but you probably can live with them. You won't find an early 2000 boat unless repowered with much more on the transom. I wouldn't be against it, just realize you may not have the performance you'd like all the time.
 
M

magicalbill

GreatGrady Captain
I have a Marlin with 350's, so I have no real world experience with 225's.

18MPH at 3600 makes me wonder if there isn't something else going on..Bottom growth? Wrong props? Tabs stuck down maybe? At 18MPH, the boat isn't even on plane unless he has the tabs fully deployed.

Can't definitively say since, as stated, I have no direct experience with 225s on a Marlin. I would agree it's underpowered, but opinions on what defines "underpowered" vary greatly throughout the owner spectrum of these boats.

If the boat and the price is undeniable, maybe grab it, strengthen the transom, and re-power later on...
 
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MA208

Well-Known Member
They’re fine, no complaints from me with F225s on my Marlin. I don’t run them at 18 mph though. Usually 4600 rpm for 30 mph or so. It will plow at 18 mph.
 
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georgemjr

Well-Known Member
Run them at 1000 + rpm higher than that. You can cruise at 30 and hit near 40 wot. Not underpowered. That doesn't mean that 300's aren't better but 225's push it just fine. A 30 mph cruise is pretty decent for a 30 ft cabin boat.
 
kirk a

kirk a

Well-Known Member
Have 2003 225's on my 330, run at 47-4800 at 23 knots. That seems to be the sweet spot with this combo, and have run into very few times where the boat needed to be run slower. Buzzards bay/vineyard sound chop for the locals.
 
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