Prop help with repower

[Logear]

Hi everyone, I have a 23' Hydro Sport Walkaround. When I purchased the boat, the engine that was on it was all kinds of wrong. The old engine was a Evinrude 200 with the wrong shaft length and wrong prop size. So I don't have any credible data to start with on my repower. I recently purchased an Evinrude E-Tec 225 H.O. to repower the boat. I tried in putting my data into prop calculators but they are all over the place depending on the website. I'm trying to avoid blindly throwing props at it looking for the right one. It's a fishing boat so I'm looking for an efficient Cruise speed and fuel efficiency with light to moderate load. I am open to 3 or 4 blade applications. These are some of my specs.
Evinrude Etec 225 H.O.
1.86 gear ratio
4800 lbs. Before people and gear/ normally 2 people
19' at the water line.
The engine is also mounted on a extension bracket so it is 48" from the back of the hull to the prop. Not sure if this makes a difference. I am open to any questions and know most of my specs.
Thanks.

[ken2]

I would expect that boat to run mid 40's light. If you load heavier, a little less.
My first choice would be a Powertech OFS4 17 pitch.
If you get one from me and decide you need a different pitch or style, you can swap out for $35 plus shipping.

As for height, if its 48 inches from the bottom of the hull to the motor the antiventilation plate should be around 4-5 inches above the bottom of the hull. That is a lot of setback !

[Logear]

It sits way back

[ken2]

What length shaft do you have now? can you get the motor up high enough?

[Logear]

It's a 20" shaft on it now. Yes, I can raise it enough. It should be very close to running height now.

[Logear]

Hey Ken
I have always run 3 blades before on my boats. I am just curious on what my advantages might be of running a 4 blade over 3 blade.

[ken2]

Sternlift and more traction, less likely to ventilate.

[Logear]

I put the new powertech OFS4 that you recommend on my Hydrosport 230 wa and all I can say is wow what a prop. I'm not sure what kind of magic you used but the number was dead on what we were looking for at WOT and my cruise speed is impressive to say the least. I was struggling with high slip numbers (mid twentys) on 2 other props one being a 4 blade. The OFS4 is getting slip numbers in the low single digits. I went from cruising 24 mph at 3800 rpms to cruising 28 mph at 3300 rpms with a 7/8 load of fuel. I also was able to raise my motor up to where my cavitation plate is an inch above the water at cruise (trimmed up) with no blow out. I can't think of anything this prop doesn't excel at. Thank you

[ken2]

Glad to hear it ! thanks for following up !