My option is to get an F250 Yamaha but a 2007 with 450hrs. Will the extra 25hp make an appreciable difference in economy? Other brands have not been considered thus far.
It's my opinion that you will still be underpowered.
I've been doing a lot of testing as of lately. I've also been doing a LOT of rereading to let the fine points really sink it.
What I have determined is that these boats are not ever gonna be speed demons......and that because they are so large you can pack a LOT of weight on them.
As to some examples.
I've seen numbers thrown up that the boat has 50gals of gas in it when testing. That's only 1/3 of it's capacity.
Lets fill it up. So add another 100gals = adding aprox another 650lbs to the boat.
I had some decent numbers come up and thought I was headed in the right direction with a prop change. Then all of a sudden the motor started running like crap. The fuel was polished and filters changed. It still ran like crap. So the mechanic was called to the dock. 3 of the 6 sparkplug boots had a open in them. All were changed. Carbs tweaked on a little. It still ran like crap with this same new 4 blade.
BUT!............The tanks were FULL and there were 4 adults, 3 teenagers and 2 little ones on the boat.
The old prop is going back on and to be tested.
With putting all our minds together .....we think the boat or I should say....this motor just doesn't have the guts to push that load and that the motor is running correctly now. We figured between the Fuel & people that is aprox 2000lbs.
Motor is a '95 VX 250 [carbed] 2 stroke.
It's also a lost sensation that a lot of folks are used to with it being cold outside and cocooned in a Pilothouse the lack of the feel for speed. Yea it's there on the GPS, but not in your face so to speak.
PS. The new T&T motor took a crap in the middle of the last test with the motor level. Couldn't tuck it in and couldn't trim it up. A Replacement is in hand.