Post Your Classic's Top Speed

There's another one under my care now as well.

1984 56 Hatteras Motor Yacht: 1950 RPM-19 knots. 2350 RPM-23.5 Knots with a filthy bottom.

Twin Detroit Diesel 8V92TI's at 650 HP each, swinging 46.5" 5 Bladed custom Rolla props, 79,000 lbs in the slings. Prior owner changed reduction gears and had the custom props done, she gained 4-5 knots over the stock boats.
 
It's not really a classic (Yet!), but my 2002 340 with 8.1 Mercs, smooth bottom, custom ACME props, 2.00:1 reduction gears, and a full load with 4 people on board can do (2 way average) 39.6 knots.

Dale
 
I don't think mine counts for the purpose of this thread...but she does 43mph @ wot
 
If I hadn't seen it on my GPS I would not have believed it. as far as I know they are the stock 3 blades, probably 19x18 or so.
had the boat about 1 1/2 years. both motors had 17 hours on them when I bought it. bottom was fairly dirty too.
as soon as the damn cold weather quits I will get started on more work.
 
We are very similar I got mine in august I have the stock mph gauge which I don't think is accurate. I got the garmin 740s for Xmas and can't wait to install to get my mph. I'm so excited to hear I can possible hit that mark.
 
1979 240 dancer. Warmed up 350 and an alpha 1 drive. I'm not finished propping yet . So far I have 40 mph @ 4800. Cruise 26 mph @ 3350. Loaded with fuel and water. Just me and the dog on the boat.
 
Classic's speed--1981 260 DA, 502 efi, Bravo 3 outdrive, 47mpn on gps at 3700 ft above sea level. At sea level 55mph.
Regards, Time off
 
'79 SRV195, 43 MPH indicated on pitot @ 4400RPM with a high speed miss. re-engined to a 5.7 ltr from a 5.0. warmed over engine, alpha 1 drive, 14" prop- still needs fine tuned / maybe re-prop. myself, one passenger, 1/3 tank fuel
 
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The tach's and mph match at cruising speed and top end. 3200 rpms = 32mph. 4500 rpms =45 mph
 
1989 Sorrento 230, 454 mag, Brav 1. I know not quite a classic but real close. 45-47 on glass regardless of load. 51-53 in 1' chop. 57-59 in 2'-3' white caps. All speeds recorded on depth finder (not GPS). It sure takes some rough waters to get enough of the old girl out of the water but when she does get up she flies! The looks on the faces of the Baja owners are priceless when they realize you are still beside them!
 
1989 Sorrento 230, 454 mag, Brav 1. I know not quite a classic but real close. 45-47 on glass regardless of load. 51-53 in 1' chop. 57-59 in 2'-3' white caps. All speeds recorded on depth finder (not GPS). It sure takes some rough waters to get enough of the old girl out of the water but when she does get up she flies! The looks on the faces of the Baja owners are priceless when they realize you are still beside them!

Keep in mind depth finder speeds are not accurate because they measure speed over water not speed over land like GPS so your actual real speeds are less.
 
1986 390ec. Merc 454's

32.2 mph on gps. 50 gallons of fuel, 100 gallons of water, 3 adults and 2 kids.
 
Thank you for asking the Question, makes a veeeeeery interesting discussion:)

I know this isn't part of the Forum topic but, Since we're talking about performance, thought I should explain the rather large difference we're seeing here in performance of the 454s with seemingly the same running gear and Boat Size or Larger (For instance the "Carver") IMHO:cool:

Little known Secret;
Notice the Posts for 454s Model Years 1986-1990, show some pretty Big differences in Power vs all other Years (Larger BBC excluded), are most likely because, of "Truck Heads Casting Number 14092360" coming into play in that short era; Peanut Port Heads are 122cc open chambers and have the Smallest Round (Not Oval) Intake Port;)

:oops:Believe it or not; Truck heads (Casting Number 14092360) have the Highest Port Speed and even with their Low and Extremely Low 7.5:1 ratio The Lowest Compression of all, Burn extremely well resulting in the Best Torque and Horse power in the Big Boat range of 2500 - 4000 RPM ....Perfect for Big Boats!

Head Test to compare, Run;
1980 Sea Ray Express Cuddy, T454s, 1.5R BW Straight Drives, 353049 Heads on Port and Mis-matched port 14092360 Heads on Starboard swinging Stock 3 Blade 17/18s, Two 240 Pounders, 500 Pound Genset, Half Gas Half Water Empty Holding, No Wind, flat as Glass and 20 minutes of run time from Cold; 40MPH on the Phone GPS, 3700 RPM Port and 4100 RPM on Starboard:D
Starboard uses about 30% more Gas WOT o_O
Yes, we're getting rid of the ...049 Heads,
to Even up the RPMS ASAP :)

I ran the Same test with Rectangle port Heads on a Tired Starboard OEM Engine resulting, typically about Two hundred RPM Starboard and a Hundred more RPM Port but, I didn't Have a GPS then to record the Speed. :confused:

I know but, I did it again anyway cause, I gotta know:rolleyes:


Also, Ever wonder why so many old Competition Ski Boats have FORDs?
They'll Pull ya right outta your Ski and on your Face.
Another Case in Point, is the Small Port FORD Winsor 351 CI
Great Truck Engine :)
 
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Yep, went from peanut port heads to large oval port heads only,. What a difference in the why it run. Only went from 50mph to 53 mph, but it got there alot faster.
This was in my 230 conquest by Power Play
 
So, my 1988 BB should have the truck heads (Casting Number 14092360)? I'll look for a casting number tonight to verify.

Thanks!
 

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