Tamaroak wrote:

Another question: Which is easier on the engine, ten miles up on plane
for a half hour at 3600 rpm or ten miles for an hour and two thirds at
hull speed at 1600 rpm?

The same engine producing less horsepower will last longer than if it
produced max power ... you have a certain amount of horsepower hours in
the machine, take them all out in a hurry or stretch them out, it's up
to you.

Rick