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Took the boat out for a little cruise today. The boat has a Mercruiser 228. She seems happiest at about 3400-3600 RPM, cruising right around 20 knots. Does this seem right? WOT is right at 4200 RPM, and the top speed is just a hair below 30Kts. I have to say that at WOT the boat does seem to get a bit squirally. Like I said, when I pull her back to 3400, she settles in and is a joy to drive.
In the afternoon, the west wind kicked up, and the lake had 3-5 ft waves. I ran back to the dock at hull speed, and the boat handled it well. I'm really starting to like this boat.
One more question, if I may. The boat runs with a slight starboard list with the fresh water tank empty. I can trim it level, but was wondering if this is normal since the water tank is on the port side, and it is pretty big. I did fill the tank today for the first time, but didn't try running the boat because the lake was getting a little snotty.
Your speeds and max rpm seem about right. I'm not sure about the Mercruiser, but on my old 318 my 4bbl would open around 3200rpm. Anything above that I would burn alot of fuel. I used to run mine between 2900-3100 17-19kts. It does get a little squirrley above 25kts.
As far as your question regarding the starboard list, there can be several factors affecting it, where your gear and stuff is stored, location of coolers etc.... Does it sit level at its slip? Every once in awhile mine will list to one side or another, alot of it depends on how many people I have on board and where they are, though it does trims out pretty well. With my self onboard and 1/2 to 3/4 full water tank, (mine is 20gallons) it runs level. I don't notice much of a list when it's empty, but each boat is loaded differently.
One tip that will help you in a following sea is to keep your bow up (make sure your trim tabs are all the way up) and don't be afraid to use some throttle to keep a good flow of water over your rudder, to help maintain your steering. It will help quite a bit.
good luck with your boat, she looks great. I enjoyed looking at the photos
Matt
here's a link to a video that I have of mine running at around 3200 rpm.
20kts or so
I agree with everything that was just posted. My '77 has the 318 with 4bbl and it's "happy" just cruising at 1800 rpm (about 8 mph on the GPS). At that rate I'm burning 2 gal/hour. Your lake is CRAZY! I fully understand your trepidation about taking it our in questionable weather. We took the F26 on a canal trip in 2008 and crossed your lake in a thunderstorm - not by choice. Got halfway between Sylvan Beach and Brewerton and all hell broke loose. Thank god for I'd plotted the course on the GPS because in the middle of the storm visibility was zero and I got turned around in the wind and waves. It can really kick up a chop in a blow, and with nor appreaciable shoreline visible midway out on the lake (and a lot of shoals to consider) it makes for some good stories to tell when you're safe and sound at a marina. Anyhoo....sounds like the Merc is running well and you can solve the problem of the list to either side by moving some stuff around. A bit of list at rest is ok because it can be corrected with the trim tabs. Ours lists a bit to port if the water tank (20 gal) is full and the holding tank is empty (20 gal). I installed 2 group 31 batteries as a house bank under the port seat (the one against the bulkhead). There were some lead billets foamed in place under the seat which I removed to adjust for the weight of the batteries. Take a look under the plywood "floor" at the bottom of the storage area (remove the screws) and I think you'll find the ballast there. Hope that helps. And we hope to get back your way either next year or the year after
Those numbers sound pretty good. My boat is loaded a little heavier than most and these are the numbers I get. With a 350cid, WOT is 4600rpm @ 28mph, cruise is at 3500rpm @ 19mph. And yes, the boat is a little squirly at WOT.
Also, my guess is that you haven't experienced the "sudden left turn" yet . . This will happen in a following sea or when you have waves or boat wake rolling in on your stern quarter. A wave catching up to you like this cancels some of the water flowing across your rudder and at the same time lifts the back of your boat causing the bow to dig in. This is when the boat will make a sudden violent turn. This phenomenon is sometimes referred to as "bow steer". To avoid this , or at least minimize the effect, cruise with the tabs up, bow high so that the a$$ end digs in and lean on the throttle to be sure that you're moving faster than the following seas. Your cruising speed sounds about right for this situation.
Also, if you get passed by a boat that is throwing a moderate wake towards your stern quarter, don't wait for it to catch up to you. Turn into it so that you can cross it before it pushes you around.
Hope this helps.
Paul
"Cruise Control" 1978 F-26HT
"No Control" 2012 9' Grand RIB
Thanks guys for the responses. All good informationRandy, you are correct about Oneida Lake, it can get very nasty in a hurry because it is very shallow and lies almost on a direct west to east fetch. Our prevailing storm winds come from the west and that can make for some nasty seas.
I had read a bit about the "bow steer" or sudden left turn. Today, I got to experience it. It definatly gets your attention. I did adjust the bow attitude and that seemed to help alot.
Im glad to hear that my running numbers sound correct. She seems to be running strong, and is quickly becoming my "new best friend".
. This will happen in a following sea or when you have waves or boat wake rolling in on your stern quarter. A wave catching up to you like this cancels some of the water flowing across your rudder and at the same time lifts the back of your boat causing the bow to dig in. This is when the boat will make a sudden violent turn. This phenomenon is sometimes referred to as "bow steer". To avoid this , or at least minimize the effect, cruise with the tabs up, bow high so that the a$$ end digs in and lean on the throttle to be sure that you're moving faster than the following seas. Your cruising speed sounds about right for this situation.