Freedom 225 Wet Cowling

[Slapshot1969]

I have a deposit on a 2015 Freedom 225 with Yamaha 300 four stroke but have a concern following the sea trial. We have owned many boats over the years and are looking to consolidate down to one boat. We need something that works for fishing and water sports, and the Freedom 225 is perfect. However, we wakeboard at 16-18 mph, which is a pre-planing speed for the Freedom 225. During the sea trial, when I did a slow start and drove at the needed wakeboard speed, the big Yamaha was sinking in the water to the point where it looked like the cowling seal was below water. I am sure this is from the use of an extended bracket design. Fully deploying the trim tabs at start helped to keep the bow down, but it don't recall if the cowling rose up above the water line.

Does anyone have advice or experience with the Freedom 225 in this capacity? I love the boat but am concerned about the engine getting wet inside the cover or having to incur significant "extra" maintenance versus my current center console / outboard.

Any thoughts would be very much appreciated.
Thanks.

 

[seasick]

That doesn't sound like something that is good for the motor. I would suggest you look at another vessel to compare it's characteristics.

 

[SmokyMtnGrady]

I have a 228 and the condition you describe happens to my boat and it has yet to be an issue. Never have had a water intrusion issue. We wake board behind our boat and I happy at 21 or so.

 

[Parthery]

Same goes for me and my 225. No issue here....

 

[seasick]

Same goes for me and my 225. No issue here....

Good to know. I have to admit I was a bit surprised with the positive responses. You learn something new every day!

 

[SmokyMtnGrady]

When I first ran my boat I too thought the worse about water intrusion. Yammaha though designed the motor to withstand that condition. I have seen bass boats on the lake in slow speed zone also have a similar thing happen. I suspect in following seas or sudden stops that any boat could have water over take the motor in any boat. Though those events it is a brief exposure of the seal to water. Either way it keeps water out. Also in low speed situations like the op describes low pressure builds behind the boat and the water is more or less tumbling behind the motor to fill in the void as it were. So in a way the water is gently falling or splashing against the seal and it is technically not submerged. Just my observation of it on my boat.