Newbie

[Surfpirate]

Greetings earthlings!

First timer here with a chance to spend a strangers $.

2001 Osprey 250 with a single Merc 225
Compression 95, 95, 100, 100, 100, 105 so a new motor is in our future.

I don't have the catalog but think the max HP is 300, so what would you recommend as a best fit for an equivalent 4 stroke?

Thanks,

Dano the pirate.

[Capt. Bob]

Max HP is 300:
http://www.classicaquasport.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=11761&title=01catpg9-250osp&cat=742

http://www.classicaquasport.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=11752&title=01catpg10-250osp&cat=742

Twin 150s is often the setup of choice but there are a few 300 singles on the market.
Personally, I never shopped for anything bigger than a 200hp so I can't give you a performance opinion.

I own an older Yamaha 2 stroke. If I were buying new, I would probably opt for a four stroke but there is a weight consideration. A four stroke YourMama weighs in close to 570 lbs, while your old Merc is just under 500.
A  new Verado in that same range appears to be heavier showing almost 670lbs. People do rave about the motor though. You may also be able to use some of your existing controls but I don't really know.
Upgrading my old Yamaha to a new one would require upgraded controls so....

You could get an e-tec

You have to ask yourself, what do you want from your boat. Raw power and speed, better fuel economy, lower initial costs???

New outboards, especially that size are rather costly.

Members with models your size will hopefully offer opinions.

Good luck.

[Surfpirate]

I took advantage of the nice weather and glassy conditions to make a quick trip saturday morning, here are the numbers.

2001 250 Osprey, 2001 Mercury 225 EFI,  the speeds were taken with an iPhone speedometer app

Wide open throttle 4800 rpm
4800 rpm- 31 knots- 35.6 mph
4600 rpm- 25 knots -  28.8 mph
4100 rpm - 21 knots - 24 mph
800 idle smooth and per red like a thirsty kitten.

It looks like a replacement is not in my immediate future.

[Capt. Bob]

Good stuff.

What size prop are you running?

I would like to move this to our prop/performance thread.

Valuable information.

Thanks.

[CLM65]

What is the recommended wide open rpm on that motor?  Seems a little low compared to numbers I've seen for other brands. 

[Capt. Bob]

 A quick search shows around 5000-5800.

Another prop may be in order, assuming the motor is running well.

[Surfpirate]

the prop info

48 16316 19p

[Capt. Bob]

You may want to drop the pitch down to a 17 (I'm guessing it's a 19 by your numbers) and see if it gives you a little more performance.

[Surfpirate]

I did check the Merc site, the suggestions are 15 or 17.