express 265 prop question

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Gizmolvr1974

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Express 265
Have a 2000 265 express running 2014 Yamaha f250’s. Currently has 4 blade props on it( will get size next trip to boat). Boat is topping out at 6100 rpm at 40mph. Props dont seem to get a good grip on the water when getting up to plane or cruising, feel like they are slipping. I put brand new hubs in both and still same issue. Anyone with this boat motor combo can share prop specs it would be appreciated. Searched all over and can only find people running f225 and ox 250. Thanks!
 
Get your numbers together (speed at different RPM's) and talk to Ken at www.PropGods.com He sized the new 4-blade props for my Islander with Yamaha F150's. We went down 2" of pitch and slightly smaller diameter. Got a mid-range that I never had before and didn't loose any top end. Game changing performance.
 
Close but not exact, have a 2005 with 2015 F250s. I'm still running the 15-1/4 x 19 Yamaha SWS II 3 blade props that came with the factory original F225s but I did talk with Ken at PropGods a couple years back as I wanted to be able to get on plane quicker and stay on plane at lower RPMs when running in rough water and constantly adjusting speed to match water conditions. He suggested Powertech OFS4's in 17 pitch and believed that if I could still turn them at 6000 (my current WOT) I should be able to hit 49mph.
 
Hookup1 said:
Get your numbers together (speed at different RPM's) and talk to Ken at www.PropGods.com He sized the new 4-blade props for my Islander with Yamaha F150's. We went down 2" of pitch and slightly smaller diameter. Got a mid-range that I never had before and didn't loose any top end. Game changing performance.
Click to expand...

What four blade props did you switch to? I've also got an Islander (268) with twin F150s. Right now I'm running three blade 13-3/4 x 17s
 
Coda said:
What four blade props did you switch to? I've also got an Islander (268) with twin F150s. Right now I'm running three blade 13-3/4 x 17s
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Other than making sure you can turn the props at maximum rated RPM's WOT speed is an imaginary number. Ignore it and prop the boat to respond from the hole shot, thru initial planning to high cruise.


Copy of previous post...I have been running a 268 Islander with twin Yamaha f-150's with 17 x 14 1/4 3-blade Yamaha Reliance stainless.

Generally the boat is a 10 knot or 20 knot boat with no in-between. I want to improve my low end performance so I can plane at lower speed. I have plenty of top end and can only use it on the best of days.

I spoke to Ken at propgods.com and he recommended swap for 15 x 14 4-blade. Thinks my low speed performance would significantly improve and maybe even my top end speed.

Propgods.com recommended these…

https://propgods.com/shop/ols/products/ptz4 (on order)
or these
https://propgods.com/shop/ols/products/ptz3 (similar to Yamaha Reliance)
 
Thanks! Thats exactly my issue. Where the hull seems to ride best in my local 1-3' chop is 21-23 kts and my engines sometimes struggle to keep the boat on plane. Also, lots of bogging down going up seaswell and runaway down the backside. I find myself having to fiddle with the throttles a lot to get the best performance.

Any noticable diffence in economy going to the four blades? Personally, I'd be more than happy to drop a little ecomony to get a little better hull ride performance.
 
Coda said:
Thanks! Thats exactly my issue. Where the hull seems to ride best in my local 1-3' chop is 21-23 kts and my engines sometimes struggle to keep the boat on plane. Also, lots of bogging down going up seaswell and runaway down the backside. I find myself having to fiddle with the throttles a lot to get the best performance.

Any noticable diffence in economy going to the four blades? Personally, I'd be more than happy to drop a little ecomony to get a little better hull ride performance.
Click to expand...
I don't track fuel economy. I don't do long canyon runs where you can really measure it. I doubt it's significant and may be better than not turning the props efficiently. As I said it was a game changer.
 
Gizmolvr1974 said:
Have a 2000 265 express running 2014 Yamaha f250’s. Currently has 4 blade props on it( will get size next trip to boat). Boat is topping out at 6100 rpm at 40mph. Props dont seem to get a good grip on the water when getting up to plane or cruising, feel like they are slipping. I put brand new hubs in both and still same issue. Anyone with this boat motor combo can share prop specs it would be appreciated. Searched all over and can only find people running f225 and ox 250. Thanks!
Click to expand...
I don't have the same motors but I have the same boat.
When I had OX66s I had 19m (3 blade) props. Many boats run 17Ms on Yamahas. The 19s lowered the max rpm but bit the water, got on plane without slipping and stayed on plane in crap.
Don't get hung up on reaching the "max" rpm. The 265 holds 1500lbs of fuel and 300 lbs of ice. You need to prop for HEAVY not fast.
The key to the 265 is NOT using trim tabs. Tuck the motors in all the way and rotate them out as you rise up. Doing that lifts the ass end... cuz baby's got big butt.

When testing props, raise your tabs and pretend you don't have them. Otherwise, you don't know what is the props and what is the tabs.
I pulled the fuse out of mine and never use them.

The 2000 has a 22 degree deadrise and does not want to go slower than 20mph, so stop trying. It wants to go 30mph hands off the throttle. Below that you will play with throttle.


I switched to Suzuki 200s and finally settled on 4 blade 15.25" x 22". I know, Totally not going to work on Yamahas but...

Going to 4 blade from 3, we dropped the diameter from 16" and raised the pitch. That keeps the prop tips underwater in turns and in crap, and raises the max rpm vs a 16"dia 4 blade.
The 4 blades were the ticket with the 200s. Boat behaves just as I want it in 3 to 5 for 60 miles. Top speed in the flat river is 41, maybe 43 when really light. Slightly below "max" rpm for motors.
There is no good reason to run a 265 at 40mph.

Other props slipped, as you say. They seemed great in a flat river with 100 gallons onboard but you try going out the inlet on a raging tide with standing waves and full tanks, you just hear them rev when you goose it.
 
Last edited:
SkunkBoat said:
I don't have the same motors but I have the same boat.
When I had OX66s I had 19m (3 blade) props. Many boats run 17Ms on Yamahas. The 19s lowered the max rpm but bit the water, got on plane without slipping and stayed on plane in crap.
Don't get hung up on reaching the "max" rpm. The 265 holds 1500lbs of fuel and 300 lbs of ice. You need to prop for HEAVY not fast.
The key to the 265 is NOT using trim tabs. Tuck the motors in all the way and rotate them out as you rise up. Doing that lifts the ass end... cuz baby's got big butt.

When testing props, raise your tabs and pretend you don't have them. Otherwise, you don't know what is the props and what is the tabs.
I pulled the fuse out of mine and never use them.

The 2000 has a 22 degree deadrise and does not want to go slower than 20mph, so stop trying. It wants to go 30mph hands off the throttle. Below that you will play with throttle.


I switched to Suzuki 200s and finally settled on 4 blade 15.25" x 22". I know, Totally not going to work on Yamahas but...

Going to 4 blade from 3, we dropped the diameter from 16" and raised the pitch. That keeps the prop tips underwater in turns and in crap, and raises the max rpm vs a 16"dia 4 blade.
The 4 blades were the ticket with the 200s. Boat behaves just as I want it in 3 to 5 for 60 miles. Top speed in the flat river is 41, maybe 43 when really light. Slightly below "max" rpm for motors.
There is no good reason to run a 265 at 40mph.

Other props slipped, as you say. They seemed great in a flat river with 100 gallons onboard but you try going out the inlet on a raging tide with standing waves and full tanks, you just hear them rev when you goose it.
Click to expand...
Thanks! Going to go to boat this week and get prop info and some speed rpm data. not looking to go fast but need a prop that bites the water better.
 
The props that are on there now are “
15.25x15 Powertech OFS 4 Blade Stainless SteelPropellers with Cushion Lok Hub (OFS4L15PCL200)”. The boat tops out right now at 6100 rpm 40mph. The prop feels and sounds like its slipping all the way up to that. I just replace the hubs in both props.
 
Gizmolvr1974 said:
The props that are on there now are “
15.25x15 Powertech OFS 4 Blade Stainless SteelPropellers with Cushion Lok Hub (OFS4L15PCL200)”. The boat tops out right now at 6100 rpm 40mph. The prop feels and sounds like its slipping all the way up to that. I just replace the hubs in both props.
Click to expand...
I know my 200 zuke i4s are geared differently but I’m running 15.25 x 22 and topping out at 41 @ 5950. Your v6 250s should outperform me by a lot

15.25x 15 seems way off. They wouldn’t move my boat.
 
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Not looking to gain top end, just looking for the props to “bite” and not
slip through all rpms. Sent email to prop god waiting to hear back . Boat def has the wrong size props. Thanks for the replys!
 
Gizmolvr1974 said:
Not looking to gain top end, just looking for the props to “bite” and not
slip through all rpms. Sent email to prop god waiting to hear back . Boat def has the wrong size props. Thanks for the replys!
Click to expand...
have you heard back? he set me up nicely
 
Motors are mounted as low as they go. Ekea what props are you running? i just heard back from him now. suggested asjusting tie bar between motors to get props closer . We will see
 
I have my tie bar adjusted toe out (rear of props closer). To do that you make the tie bar longer. The motors are 28" on center of tiller/swivel arm. So you mke it 28.5" that puts the LU toe out by 1/4" on each motor.

It made a very noticable difference in being able to go STRAIGHT at idle speed down a channel. I don't think it will change your problem unless you were already set toe in.
 
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Gizmolvr1974 said:
Motors are mounted as low as they go. Ekea what props are you running? i just heard back from him now. suggested asjusting tie bar between motors to get props closer . We will see
Click to expand...
Solas L3 15.25 diameter by 19 pitch. keep in mind that my boat is lighter and narrower than yours, but i can run about 52 with them
 
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Going to get a pair of 15.25 19p props and see how it goes. Will post results once i get them. Thanks for all the help!
 
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Picked up a pair of yamaha saltwater 15 1/4 x 19p. Night and day difference. Boat is doing 46 at 5900 rpm and no prop slip. Im sure i lost some pickup but boat is riding great now. thanks for all the help!
 
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