4,000 RPM is way too fast for reliable operation and decent longevity
on those motors. 3.200 to 3,400 RPM is generally regarded as maximum
cruising speed for gas engines of that type.

You feel the engine needs to be backed off to about 60% of WOT for normal
cruise speed?


It sounds under powered the way it was tested, and it's usually a
mistake to buy an under powered boat. I'd personally order the boat
with bigger gas engines if available, at about 350 hp each for decent
cruising performance in the low to mid 20kt range. For frequent usage
diesels would be an even better choice, and they will return 40 to 50%
of their cost in resale value.


I'd probably never buy a new gas boat myself, but millions of people do. If you
recover 50% of a $50k upcharge, you still need to save a lot of fuel to cover
the diff.


If there was a single answer that was always right for everybody, there
wouldn't be much variety in boats. :-)

"Gould 0738" wrote in message
...
4,000 RPM is way too fast for reliable operation and decent longevity
on those motors. 3.200 to 3,400 RPM is generally regarded as maximum
cruising speed for gas engines of that type.

You feel the engine needs to be backed off to about 60% of WOT for normal
cruise speed?


It sounds under powered the way it was tested, and it's usually a
mistake to buy an under powered boat. I'd personally order the boat
with bigger gas engines if available, at about 350 hp each for decent
cruising performance in the low to mid 20kt range. For frequent usage
diesels would be an even better choice, and they will return 40 to 50%
of their cost in resale value.


I'd probably never buy a new gas boat myself, but millions of people do.
If you
recover 50% of a $50k upcharge, you still need to save a lot of fuel to
cover
the diff.


If there was a single answer that was always right for everybody, there
wouldn't be much variety in boats. :-)



IU alsways wonder how can they cost $50k ($25k / engine) more? My new
Duramax Diesel truck was only a $7k kicker for diesel, and that included an
Allison automatic tranny.

IU alsways wonder how can they cost $50k ($25k / engine) more? My new
Duramax Diesel truck was only a $7k kicker for diesel, and that included an
Allison automatic tranny.



New boats are priced according to a consistent standard: What will the market
bear?

"Gould 0738" wrote in message
...
IU alsways wonder how can they cost $50k ($25k / engine) more? My new
Duramax Diesel truck was only a $7k kicker for diesel, and that included
an
Allison automatic tranny.



New boats are priced according to a consistent standard: What will the
market
bear?

Sorta like my new truck.

On 12 Apr 2004 23:02:19 GMT, (Gould 0738) wrote:

You feel the engine needs to be backed off to about 60% of WOT for normal
cruise speed?

==================================================

Not necessarily, it depends on how the boat is propped, but 3,400
should be regarded as a maximum cruise RPM for any normal gas engine.
Ideally the boat should be propped so that 70% of WOT brings you to
about 3,200 to 3,400 RPM. That way the engine is developing about
half of its rated horsepower at cruising speed. Diesels are usually
spec'd out to run at 85% of WOT which works out to about 70% of full
horsepower.

On 12 Apr 2004 23:02:19 GMT, (Gould 0738) wrote:

I'd probably never buy a new gas boat myself, but millions of people do. If you
recover 50% of a $50k upcharge, you still need to save a lot of fuel to cover
the diff.

========================================

That's true but there are other advantages, the biggest being
increased range.

That's true but there are other advantages, the biggest being
increased range.

Agreed. As I commented,....."if fuel savings were the only consideration...."
and clearly they are not.