Best prop for Suzuki DF 175’s on a Tomcat 255

[joechiro30]

Now that I got my engines ordered I got to find out which prop is the best. If anyone knows the model and specs for the best prop for those motors I’d appreciate it. I had the 3X 16D 21.5 pitch on my previous 150’s. I was told by the dealers that I could use the same prop. But I got some info here that a 4 prop blade may be optimal. Please let me know any input as I would like to order these props. I am very anxious to get back on the water and want to get the optimal set up. I plan not to add Permatrim’s and would like to get the best prop for optimal speed and to lift the stern.

[joechiro30]

Well I decided to go with 4 blade 16inch diameter at 21 pitch and I will do a comparison with the 3 blade 16 inch with 21.5 pitch. I got some feedback from Ken at propgods. Their props were better priced than Suzuki dealers. about 250 dollars less. 499 his price and about 750 from Suzuki.

I prefer not to add permatrims to my new engines for warranty purposes and I don't want to drill holes on my new motors if I don't need too. I'll see if the 4 blade versus 3 blade makes a big difference. Whether adding permatrims are needed with either props on the DF 175 motors.

Also, I will be able to test the boat out offshore heavily loaded with gas, ice, gear and crew. And I will be able to test the props out cruising inside waters going to the San Juan islands with a lighter load with my wife and I.

My experience so far with the three blades are that the Tomcat runs better with permatrims with 150 motors. WOT is at 5300 at 42 MPH. My planing speed improved drastically and the stern lifted better while cruising at lower RPM's. I didn't feel like the motors were that deep in the water as before without permatrims.

I do find that the Suzuki DF 150's make the stern and transom sit lower in the water on my 2006 Tomcat 255. When I am fishing with 3-4 guys on the cockpit the water can get through the scuppers and into the cockpit. I think the newer tomcats come with a transom that has better flotation for these motors. I do a lot of fishing with lots of gear and a full crew. These things I noticed while fishing offshore with a heavy load. Yes I can lose some weight but that shouldn't matter with a crew of 4 medium sized guys.

I'll do a trial and see what the DF 175's do with the same 3 blade props but without permatrims. Then compare with the 4 blades without permatrims. I will report as soon as I do the testing. I will add permatrims if I feel I need more stern lift and better planing speeds.

For anyone else who wants to repower I hope to help others find the right prop and needs for permatrim on the Tomcat 255. Going from 150's to 175's.

It seems that there is little info on this so I can do some research. I really think the price difference between 150 and 175's are not that great. I'll let you know if it was worth the change.

I have over 1000 hours of experience on the 150's so I got a baseline.

I hope to give some good information to some of you with tomcats who want to repower with the same engines if all goes well.