23CC Evinrude 225 WOT..

[Bushwacker]

Is that an E-TEC or Ficht motor? A 2005 would be a BRP motor, probably an early E-TEC, and if so you are seriously over-propped! Pelican is right, it's hard on the motor if you're running a prop with too much pitch!

In addition to the commonly published very wide "Recommended Operating Range" like 5000-6000 rpm, BRP has published the OPTIMUM WOT Operating Range for most of the E-TEC's. Haven't been able to find a chart for a 2005, but optimum is probably similar to the 2007 models, which is 5500-5600 with the max load you normally carry. Even if it's a Ficht motor, I suspect optimum RPM would be similar. This assumes motor height is correct, with AV plate running above solid water when on plane, AND your RPM measurement is accurate! (Analog tachs are notoriously inaccurate - a digital I-Command gauge or an NMEA 2000 compatible chartplotter that gets the rpm signal from the EMM is preferred.)

A good prop shop could probably identify or at least measure your current prop and tell you what pitch it is. IF your height and RPM data are correct, having that information on your current prop will eliminate much guesswork in selecting the correct prop!