80's 300 DA cruising speeds?

SCORPIO

SCORPIO

Well-Known Member
Apr 7, 2008
2,743
Delaware
Boat Info
1989 300 DA
Engines
Twin 5.7 Merc Alpha I
What speed/rpm do all of you folks with 80s vintage 300 DAs' cruise? This past weekend, we had six people onboard, full fuel tanks, about half full waste and water tanks and a load of gear and spares I usually carry. We had calm seas and light winds and were cruising 3100 rpm at 27.6mph by gps. I don't have a generator or windlass, but I do have the factory A/C. The boat is swinging a pair of 15x19 Aluminum props. Just curious what the rest of you experience. BTW, '89 300DA.
 
SCORPIO said:
What speed/rpm do all of you folks with 80s vintage 300 DAs' cruise? This past weekend, we had six people onboard, full fuel tanks, about half full waste and water tanks and a load of gear and spares I usually carry. We had calm seas and light winds and were cruising 3100 rpm at 27.6mph by gps. I don't have a generator or windlass, but I do have the factory A/C. The boat is swinging a pair of 15x19 Aluminum props. Just curious what the rest of you experience. BTW, '89 300DA.
Click to expand...

Sounds about right...3100 rpm at 27.6mph :thumbsup:
 
Scorpio, My 88 with heat, air, gennie, ice maker, central vac, stainless winlass, 20 ft of chain, big danforth rated for a 35 ftr, 2 cases of sodas, 2 cases of water, 5 gallons of spring water for coffee,San-x treatment system, a 3.3 Merc, 8 ft inflatable, five 30 packs of beer, 70 lbs of ice, 3/4 tank of fuel, full water tank, 2 people and gear for a 4 day weekend. will cruise at 3500 rpms at 30 mph on the gps. Im running a pair of 5.7 freshwater cooled Mercs, with 1.5 ratio alphas swinging 16X16 three blade wheels. She topped out at 4800 rpms at 42 mph. in a 3 ft sea with some chop. Dave
 
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Does anyone know what the top speed on these boats were advertized to be? And what the WOT RPM was? And how they were orig. propped? I run mine fully loaded and I think she runs pretty good considering the age, and load. I would love to strip it down and unload it to see what it will do. By The Way.... She only has 500 hrs on her.
 
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Hey since we're talking about 88 dancer's, let me steal (Borrow) this thread for a moment.
I just put this boat in the water for the first time this early summer. I noticed the steering at idle, is real hard, mostly. Sometimes it loosens up real quick, but then hard again.
However, When I jumped up on plane, the steering was like greased BB's.
Any ideas? Fluid levels, belts, all look ok? Cable just getting old, corroded?

Thanks for letting me borrow this thread!!!
Jim
 
speakrdude said:
Hey since we're talking about 88 dancer's, let me steal (Borrow) this thread for a moment.
I just put this boat in the water for the first time this early summer. I noticed the steering at idle, is real hard, mostly. Sometimes it loosens up real quick, but then hard again.
However, When I jumped up on plane, the steering was like greased BB's.
Any ideas? Fluid levels, belts, all look ok? Cable just getting old, corroded?

Thanks for letting me borrow this thread!!!
Jim
Click to expand...

My first thought was fluid level.but i guess maybe cable needs a look at:huh:
 
My 87 300 has no genny, but does have a windlass, and A/C Heat.
I generally keep the tanks pretty full, and I'm running 15.5X17 Stainless props.
I cruise at about 3100 RPM and usually get about 30 MPH according to the GPS. It can vary by a couple MPH up or down depending on conditions.
I switched over this sprinp from 14.5X19 Aluminum props. The cruising speed was just slightly less with the old props, but I needed to use the trim tabs all the time to plane. I haven't had to use the trim tabs all season with the new props.
 
Well it sounds like I'm propped ok. I am only running 400 rpms higher than you at the same speed. Its probably the extra weight. All in all I am very happy with the performance.
 
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