Post Your Classic's Top Speed

Pietro, while the gas might not make sense to you, keep in mind that though diesel has been the main fuel in Europe for a long time, in the 80's, diesel was mostly reserved for larger boats, and the vast majority of 390's here came with the gassers. Also, for the distances that I travel (river), I don't need diesels.
 
390x said:
Pietro, while the gas might not make sense to you, keep in mind that though diesel has been the main fuel in Europe for a long time, in the 80's, diesel was mostly reserved for larger boats, and the vast majority of 390's here came with the gassers. Also, for the distances that I travel (river), I don't need diesels.
Click to expand...

I know that. Diesel was so popular here also because diesel was much cheaper than gas. I also think that diesel is not good for small engines... I owned a 27' with 2.4 litres diesel turbo aftercooled... a real s**t!!! I always regretted not to have bought gas!
 
Carver - those are remarkable (borderline unbelievable) top speed numbers for a boat that tall, that wide and that heavy! If I didn't know that you know your stuff, I'd say you had either have a couple of nitro tanks connected in or you are telling tales!!! ;-)
 
It just works I guess! Maybe I have a freak? Although most others I have run do pretty similar.
 
29kts almost 30kts WOT downhill....
Or, almost 34.5MPH sounds better in MPH.

Not bad for a big gas boat...most time is at either no wake or 18kts (3000rpm) for best fuel burn but, I normally push it to 22-23kts (3450rpm) I have to cruise at least 20kts, less than 20kts is not an Express boat!!
 
Last edited:
88 Amberjack 54.6 mph on gps t350 mpi 1/2 gas no water 2 people
 
Was out last week, full fuel, no water, 44mph GPS, 4800 rpms w/repitched 17 Vengenances.:grin:
 
sfergson727 said:
Lance, the vengeance prop is the bottom line propeller, why didn't you go with a Mirage Plus or something a little better performing....Vengeance....that's like saying my race car is a pinto.
Click to expand...
It's what the boat came with Scott, I just re pitched to 19's. Pretty happy w/the way she runs. Maybe I could try some Merc Racing Cleavers LOL Wait a minute, it's a Searay not a Allison.:lol:
 
sfergson727 said:
I think I switched over to prop-tech or pro-tech props on my 280DA, they really improved the performance across the board over the vengeance props...you might check into it someday. (They allowed lower planing speeds, and boosted my top end by about 3 mph, which brought me up to 49 mph with 5.0's) The 4.3 mpi's, while not having the torque of the 5.0's would probably still benefit with a better than stock prop.
Click to expand...
I will look into those Scott, Thanks
 
1977 srv 300 weekender well over 40 mph not sure of exact speed but i know i walked around my freinds 242 ls formula with a 350 .. im powered by twin 350s...unfortunatly that was the second to last trip on those motors the port motor didnt like it to much
 
1983 SRV 210 Cuddy Cruiser: 47.5 mph by gps at about 4400 rpm with new 15 x 15 prop. Standard 260 hp mercruiser. Drive ratio is probably 1.32:1.
 
70 MPH in my 22 Pachanga, 454 ci with Mirage Prop. Im still running the orginal stock engine.
 
I get 31 mph WOT. These models have deep prop pockets as they where designed as good coastal cruisers with shallow drafts. But that means slow with terrible efficiency.
 
A few years back (2008) I caught a nice morning right after sunrise with no wind and dead flat conditions. My 30' Sundancer had stock 14 X 19 Aluminum props, 260 HP motors (one was original) gas tanks more than half full, fresh water tank full, holding tank empty, two guys on the boat (me +1). I got up to 45 mph on the GPS and then came off of it because I didn't want to take any chances .
No trim on the outdrives (bad solenoid on one side at the time), but I did use my tabs to get up and level off. That was a must with those old props because the boat had no hole shot at all.
2010 season I changed to 15.5 X 17 Stainless props and the boat jumped out of the water (single best change I made to the boat up until then).
This off season I put two brand new 275 HP motors in the boat and a counter rotating drive on the port side, stayed with 15.5 X 17 Stainless props because I had such good luck with them (naturally got a new one on the CR drive).
I can't wait to get the boat in the water, motors broken in, and another early sunrise run to see what it can do now.
 
Our 1978 Sea Ray 195 would do about 56 mph at the top end. It has the Ford 351 Cleveland (233).

About 42 mph or so on the 1980 210 cuddy with the Chevy 305 (228).
 
Put on a new prop this past week. So my setup is 228 Merc with 18 P 4 blade stainless. I went 43 mph on GPS at 4000 rpm. Seems like my revs are a little low. Too much prop? It plains super quick and sounds great.

Nik
 
1973 SRV240 flybridge with a 225 merc, TRII drive full of fishing gear and 5 people 29.5 miles per hour.
IMAG0717.jpg
 
Last edited:
Okay, I don't own it anymore, but my 260 was a true 55mph boat, barely touching the rev limiter at 1200' elevation.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,193
Messages
1,428,278
Members
61,104
Latest member
Three Amigos
Back
Top