How much time to you spend at "cocktail speed" vs on plane?

[Gofirstclass]

I see a lot of questions and comments on here about running at WOT or running on plane. That led me to wonder how much time (as a percentage) you spend running your boat on plane vs running at hull speed or "cocktail speed" as I've heard it referred to.

When I bought our boat (2010) I was told that I should run the engines at 80% throttle about 20% of the time. I probably don't run at 80% that often, probably more like 10% of the time.

What say you?

 

[CliffA]

95% cocktail speed
5% on plane

 

[Boatingnut]

80% on plane, 20% cocktail.

 

[Strecker25]

I think we're close to 50/50. During the day we're on plane to get to anchorage, beach, bars, etc. At night I don't run on plane since we don't have radar so the trip back is always cocktail speed.

 

[Creekwood]

Depends on the weekend. If I am fishing, maybe 2 hrs on plane getting to and from and moving around, and 4hrs at idle trolling each trip. If I am heading out on a non-fishing trip more like 50% on plane, 50% cocktail (in no wake or low wake zones). If its a really calm day and I can travel outside routes (open Bay rather than the slower, more protected inside) then more like 75% on plane. Virtually never at WOT except at take-off until on plane.

 

[trflgrl]

FM at helm: hull speed....or something kinda sorta like it. He hasn't been open to input about combining engine trim/trim tabs to find the sweet spot for a smooth ride on plane.
Me at helm: aiming to be on plane.

If I achieve my objectives, we'll be an 80/20 split of plane/hull because our lifestyle is nearly 100% on the hook/rafted. Plane speed from point to point, changing to hull speed to avoid waking other boaters. (We don't travel after dark.)

 

[Searaybio270]

I am probably 90% cocktail. I like going slow listening to the music, talking, and having a drink.

 

[Sous]

I'd say I'm 80/20 plane/cocktail. When we go out it's usually to go somewhere, every now and again we'll do a little sunset cruise at cocktail speed.

 

[370Dancer]

98% Trawler - faster than idle but definitely not plowing
18-1900 RPM = 8 to 10 GPH total
5 miles tops to typical beach, sandbar, restaurant, or music venue.
45 seconds to 1 minute from dock to open bay
(which is why I secretly yearn to convert this boat to hybrid or all electric!)

 

[dwna1a]

On plane for me is 3100rpm maybe 20% at this time I push her harder to open secondarys 35 to 3800
slow comfortable speed is 2000 to 2300 70%
drinking speed is easy 0 rpm 10%

 

[mnm99]

90/10 I like to get where I'm going so I can have a drink that much faster..

 

[AMFM3]

95% cocktail. Not a lot of need for WOT.

Mark

 

[Stee6043]

98% cocktail speed here. If I wanted to get places fast I would own a boat with an 8.5' beam and a fancy paint job...

 

[Woody]

I am probably 90% cocktail. I like going slow listening to the music, talking, and having a drink.

90-95% cruising on plane, my beer goes down just as good at any speed.

 

[mquiet]

I would say 80-90% at 1000 rpm. 10% at 1750rpm just to spool turbos and really heat up the engines. 1-5% WOT to verify temps and make sure I can reach WOT Speed and RPM.


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[JimT]

90% on plane. Then drop the anchor. Then we hit cocktail speed.

 

[bmac]

Unless I'm running the mile or so in the river into or out of my marina or getting the engines to operating temperature, I am on plane.

 

[BlewByYou88]

85% of the time on plane 75-90% on The RPM range....To get to where were going.
15% No wake zones...and the occasional....Look theres wild life, lets go check it out speed.

 

[Havana Shamrock]

Idle is 600 rpm's = 6.2 mph( 1.1 gph ea). trawler speed is 800 rpm's =10mph (3.5 gph) I drift between 800-1000 depending on current to maintain 10mph I have learned to go slow I only "jump up" 1800-1900 rpm =23 mph (17.5 gph) at the end of the day to blow out the turbos.

 

[ZZ13]

I don't know. It varies. On long multi day cruises to Florida and back the amount of time on plane is based on a destination and time goal for the day. And when conditions are pristine (calm water, no blow boats clogging up the ICW) I goose it because it feels so good to be cruising fast on smooth water. Then my wife likes hull speed so I do that a bunch so she will enjoy the boat.


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