Z-Worthy
Active Member
This may be a dumb question, but I would like to hear some opinions on the subject.
Our 1997 400DA is new to us this summer, and I'm still trying to figure out the optimal cruising setup. The engines are 3116 CATs and they really seem happy around 2200-2250rpm, but I think the bow is about a foot too high (anchor is directly on the horizon line when I'm sitting at the helm). I can bring the bow down to a more comfortable level either by increasing the tabs slightly, or by running the engines up to 2400rpm and planing out more. I don't have any sort of FloScan or fuel monitoring system and without making multiple long trips to calculate it I'm stuck playing a guessing game.
So which one is a bigger drain on the fuel economy? Higher rpms on the diesels or the increased drag from the tabs? I know a lot of people talk about throwing a few hundred lbs of chain in the anchor locker, and I'm still considering that option. But for now, which method is preferable for bringing the bow down?
Our 1997 400DA is new to us this summer, and I'm still trying to figure out the optimal cruising setup. The engines are 3116 CATs and they really seem happy around 2200-2250rpm, but I think the bow is about a foot too high (anchor is directly on the horizon line when I'm sitting at the helm). I can bring the bow down to a more comfortable level either by increasing the tabs slightly, or by running the engines up to 2400rpm and planing out more. I don't have any sort of FloScan or fuel monitoring system and without making multiple long trips to calculate it I'm stuck playing a guessing game.
So which one is a bigger drain on the fuel economy? Higher rpms on the diesels or the increased drag from the tabs? I know a lot of people talk about throwing a few hundred lbs of chain in the anchor locker, and I'm still considering that option. But for now, which method is preferable for bringing the bow down?