How to check your OB motor height & wear the right prop!

I also have a 2017 2520xld with a 300. My numbers are the same, 4300 28-30mph which I am very satisfied for cruising. I do only get 5400 top. Last time I ran at that was up 5 trim bars and 42mph. I think those numbers are very good for a single 300. My last Parker was a 2520sld with a single 250 and it was a slugg. I had to run 4800 to get 27mph. I went to a four blade which helped keep the boat on plane a little better in following seas but I was constantly using throttle up and down. If you try a four blade I would love to know the results. I would like to see the rpm,s up around 5800. It would be better for the motor.

I put on a Power Tech 4 blade 16 pitch. (your 3 blade saltwater series 2 is 17) this summer. While I lost little on top end the mid range performance improved with a faster plane. I can now keep the boat on plane at 3500 rpm. I also cruise at 4100 now and still do 27-28 mph. On my offshore canyon runs which is about 72 miles each way with trolling all day I save about 8 gallons per trip.

I lucked out. From the factory/dealer the twin 200s came mounted in the third hole of four. Yamaha 18 X 14.25 props trimmed out the anti-cavitation plates are on top of the water. 5800 rpm and 53 mph shown on the Yamaha information station with 5 hours on the motors.

2006 2520 xl twin F150’s-
Raised up my outboards 2 holes from the factory setting at the lowest and now my top RPMs are at 5400. It did seem to cavitate for a second when taking off. I had it trimmed up a tiny bit to start from all the way down. I have 13-3/4” x 19p props. Top speed is 42.1 mph. Thinking if I went to 14.5 x 17p props this should be able to get closer to 6000 rpm. If I went up to a 15” prop, would I need to go down to like a 15p or 16p prop?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I think 14.25 x 17P is where you want to be. Try out this prop selector for options.

http://www.yamahapropselector.com/propSelector/web/

How do you fit wider tabs into the recess areas for stock tabs on a 2520XL?

albiejunkie":2rilv6da said:

How do you fit wider tabs into the recess areas for stock tabs on a 2520XL?

Click to expand...

from all the pics I’ve seen, they don’t fit in the same recess, they are mounted on the stern rather than underneath.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Ive got Permatrims and never need to use the trim tabs.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Same here. No tabs but added a real Permatrim


Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

hows this look for height? Seems to be the right height but when you turn one prop seems to cavitate a little. Trimmed up I am at 5800 rpms at 45.1 mph. Now I am thinking my props are ok but could go down to 18 or 17 pitch and maybe a 1/2” -3/4” diameter larger.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You can be set correctly and still get a bit of cavitation when making a (sharp(er)) turn.

If you see the turn coming, trim down.
If you have to make the correction quickly, throttle down.

I’m assuming that you are dropping your trim all the way back down in a turn (tight turns while on plane)If not, it will cavitation and that’s normal. Permatrims look good.