Can I tow with a 225 Yamaha

[Jwilson1515]

Yesterday my boat towed another rather large boat using my single engine 2009 Yamaha 225 vmax outboard.

After the tow, the engine is running rough and possibly a cylindar is not firing. I can get on plane, but I don't feel like I have the same power and It sounds (and feels) like a cylindar is trying to kick in.

About 6 months ago, I towed another boat and the same thing happened. I changed out the fuel filter/water seperator (It was time to do so) and that fixed the problem.

But now after another tow I have the same results? I have not switched out my fuel filter yet like I did before, but it sure would be a crazy coincidence that I have to change out my filter right after a tow again.

Is this an engine that I should not be towing other boats with?

Thanks for the help, this is a terrific forum.

 

[SparkieBoat]

Re: Can I tow with a 225 Yamaha

I would not think the towing would effect the filters in any way..but new filters are needed every year anyway, so do that. only thing I could see that towing could possibly do is cause some plug fouling. I have towed much larger boats a few times and never had an problem, but I do not push it real hard when doing that.

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: Can I tow with a 225 Yamaha

I would lean more towards a fouled plug or bad plug wire.
Towing puts extra load on the engine and can make a problem evident.
When you tow, just chug along, you dont need to set a speed record.

 

[mrlassi1]

Re: Can I tow with a 225 Yamaha

Something to consider. The angle your boat takes when under a load such as when towing could actually cause sediment in your fuel tank to collect in an area it wouldn't normally be. May be less of a coincedence than you think. Filters are cheap. I'd change it again and see if your problem goes away.

PS - my hat's off to you for taking the time to help a fellow boater. I've tried to pay my tows forward too.

 

[Jwilson1515]

Re: Can I tow with a 225 Yamaha

Thanks for the replies and advice! I will both change my fuel filter and plugs. Any recommendations on brand of plugs and gapping?

The boat I towed was a 50' metal houseboat that belongs in a fresh water lake or river?.NOT the salt water of Galveston bay. It had sunk the day before and I was trying to help get them to a marina to be hauled out.

 

[99yam40]

Re: Can I tow with a 225 Yamaha

I really do not think it is a good idea to put that type of load on these newer motors. They are high performance motors and should be propped for the load you are running that day. Even a lower RPM you would be lugging the motor and I am sure you were not just idling to get that thing to move.

I am not sure what prop you would need to put on a 225 on a 50' house boat
If you have a power prop you can throw on it ,maybe it would be ok, But I would leave the towing to the tow boats and save your motor and run it as it was set up to run.
The guy in the boat you are pulling around will not help pay for any problems arise from you good intentions.