Continuous RPM

[fishing fool]

Making a run to pirates or the springs at what rpm do you hold a stock Merc cruiser 454 motor at?

I do not want to hear about your egg beater that revs to 7000+ rpm

 

[QC22]

Almost every boat test I've seen shows best planing speed efficiency between 3000 and 3500. With that said that's also usually around 30 - 40 MPH. 4000 has always been the best balance for me. Gets me somewhere and isn't just spewing fuel.

 

[sirbob]

I’m doing 40 mph at 3500 rpm in my boat when I go north or south to the usual spots…

With of course a few bursts along the way to higher rpm’s

 

[MK1MOD0]

3500 seems to be the happy place for big blocks cruising.

 

[FreeBird236]

3200-3500 most of the time. If the conditions are nice 4000 for several miles once in a while.

 

[jetboatperformance]

As said 3K 3500 seeams to be a "happy spot" for most Big american Iron

 

[HST4ME]

Making a run to pirates or the springs at what rpm do you hold a stock Merc cruiser 454 motor at?

I do not want to hear about your egg beater that revs to 7000+ rpm

Outboard Master Race.

 

[HST4ME]

3500-3800.

 

[QC22]

Something else to consider is there are BBCs that are rated as low as 4200 and up to 5200, Some are pushing 6000, but I wouldn't call them "stock". Point is, best "cruising" speed is going to be at least as variable.

 

[DarkHorseRacing]

Depends on how much gas you want to use. I find a good cruising speed where the hull is working as intended and the engine isn’t working too hard and keep that happy spot.

Now if some RDP clown comes up from the rear, stares me down and points then it’s pegged for the win and the beat down, screw the fuel economy.

 

[ltbaney1]

in general, i dont like spinning motors to hard too long. my big blocks always seemed to like to cruise around 3500. But i do love the sound of a big motor getting spun up and having its neck wrung, but for just cruising i like around 3500.

 

[spark2678]

3500-4000

 

[gqchris]

I am in the 3500 club as well. With my Small Block 5.7. Seems happy there and the wife isnt beating on me to slow down!

 

[jailbird141]

Pin it to win it!!! As far forward as the sticks will go!

 

[GreenEnergy28]

As many have said, 3k-3800 seems to be the happy place.
I have always been told since a kid growing up running around the lakes not to hold one rpm for minutes at a time though. I usually try to vary by 100 or so rpm up and down to try to keep things happy. I know my way around an engine but never claimed to be an experienced engine builder... my view of this has been pasted down from a few old guys around the rivers/lakes. Guessing this has to do with cam wear or oiling... who knows... doesn't hurt to bump the throttles up or down a little here and there though.

 

[92562]

Obviously hull design and weight load of the boat come in to play but my 496 is very happy at 3800-4000.

 

[wzuber]

For a general ? a general response.....
Economy cruising right before the secondaries begin to participate and 500-800 rpm after that for load stress etc. Depending on the quality, condition of your eng. Ymmv.....

 

[Shlbyntro]

As many have said, 3k-3800 seems to be the happy place.
I have always been told since a kid growing up running around the lakes not to hold one rpm for minutes at a time though. I usually try to vary by 100 or so rpm up and down to try to keep things happy. I know my way around an engine but never claimed to be an experienced engine builder... my view of this has been pasted down from a few old guys around the rivers/lakes. Guessing this has to do with cam wear or oiling... who knows... doesn't hurt to bump the throttles up or down a little here and there though.

more to do with rotating assembly stretch and ring ridge on the cylinder walls.

I im in the 3500-4000 club as well and always playing with my throttles. I use my trim and tabs a lot too in the Ultra

 

[coolchange]

For a general ? a general response.....
Economy cruising right before the secondaries begin to participate and 500-800 rpm after that for load stress etc. Depending on the quality, condition of your eng. Ymmv.....

Begin to participa
Put a gauge on it and find out.

 

[SBMech]

3500-4000 it's on plane and set good.

I am always fucking around though, I'll punch it for a minute or 5 depending on traffic...it's good to wring it out for a bit!

 

[Brian]

3000-3500 for sure. Easier on parts and fuel consumption isn't totally in the shitter.

 

[Your ad here]

21' Commander with a basic 502 and Dominator jet I was at 3000 to 3500 with 2 adult and 2 kids. 4000 when there was 4+ adults (cousins) and a cooler full of Budweisers.

 

[RCDave]

5000 to 6500 rpm! Nothing like a 2 stroke outboard!

 

[fishing fool]

This was yesterday. Turning a 23 rev4

 

[counterpart7]

Typically run about 3200rpm/40-45mph. Right about 40 is where it gets up on the pad and likes some trim.
Anything slower than that and I start to get antsy.

 

[mash on it]

Mostly stock big block, 3200 minimum, 35-3700 cruisin'
45,000 is a little much for my junk.

Dan'l

 

[zx14]

2800 gets me 40-45 mph,or, try to stay out of boost, I live around there. But have been known to hold 4K for 75-80 from devils elbow to the lake.

 

[Blackmagic94]

3000-3200 has always netted best fuel burn for me on multiple hulls


My sbc efi merc 350 mpi is best at 2800

 

[steamin rice]

I usually cruise somewhere between 3500-4000 RPM, the boat seems to run most efficient in that range

 

[Ultra247]

Usually cruise about 3500 as well. Push it to 4000 if we're "in a hurry" for cruising. 3500 will keep us cruising about 50 mph.
28 Magic with procharged 496, 24 pitch 4 blade.

 

[02HoWaRd26]

3340 down river 3490 up river. About 50mph and keeps the scanned hours looking good.

 

[DWC]

3340 down river 3490 up river. About 50mph and keeps the scanned hours looking good.

Interesting take. I like it.

 

[Sleek-Jet]

On my old Eliminator I ran it at the ubiquitous 3500 rpm cruising, but loved to stand in it for a minute or two... Nothing like a loaded up BBC. Only problem was it was a jet and full tilt was about 55 mph.

Interestingly I has a 396 in my 3/4 ton GMC with 4.11's and no OD. It too liked to cruise at 3000 (65 mph) and 3500 (75 mph). The tach was mounted on the dash I never needed to look at the speedo. Drive by sound and RPM...LOL...

 

[WhatExit?]

3500, 3501 - whatever it takes

 

[Lumpy]

Running 4k on a 270 Straight Bottom for the last three years...probably would still run even if I forgot the push rods on that one side

 

[pull-on]

Twin small block 350's. Cruising is around 3500. But I'm usually running them between 4500-5000 constantly.
They can take a beating better than Jussie Smollett. I usually scream "THIS IS MAGA COUNTRY" at them while running up the RPM's.

 

[JFMFG]

Obviously hull design and weight load of the boat come in to play but my 496 is very happy at 3800-4000.

I have the 496ho In my magic it’s happy spot is 4k

 

[HST4ME]

This was yesterday. Turning a 23 rev4


View attachment 1209322

8200 x 1.87 x 29 x 9% = 111/112 ish. Pretty sure this will be season 4

 

[Livewire Fabworks]

Twin small block 350's. Cruising is around 3500. But I'm usually running them between 4500-5000 constantly.
They can take a beating better than Jussie Smollett. I usually scream "THIS IS MAGA COUNTRY" at them while running up the RPM's.

Two pissed off small blocks! They earn there living for sure.

 

[pull-on]

Two pissed off small blocks! They earn there living for sure.

Yes sir. And they don't complain. I'll add that it takes two SBC to keep up with your 540 lol

Just wait till the new 525SC's get a taste of my abuse!!!!

 

[28Eliminator]

Stock??? Not sure I understand the question?

Ideally I would think peak torque will be the sweet spot as far as RPM/Engine load. But Hull speed/efficiency may not agree.

 

[77charger]

I am in the 3500 club as well. With my Small Block 5.7. Seems happy there and the wife isnt beating on me to slow down!

Im right about there too with a 350. 3000-3500 seems to be good cruise and if water is nice and imin a hurry about 4000but fuel mpg really drops after about 3500 and very good 2800-3000

 

[farmo83]

2500-3000

I'd be out of the back of the pack with all of yall.

 

[74 spectra20 v-drive]

My Sanger has always lived around 2800 to 3000 at cruise speed and pulling skiers. Been running the engine since 95' with the frequent fun run up around 5500 to 6K

 

[Drew]

I’m doing 50 mph @3000 rpm with my 30’s on. Wife is ok with that . It’s a comfortable way to travel. With my boat I will start to porpoise a little after 3700 with a tiny bit of trim. But after that it flattens out rides on the pad and the boat feels about 2000 lbs lighter. All the way into the 80’s . Wife don’t like that.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

It’s funny the people ask how fast a boat goes are scared to ring theirs boat out

 

[MK1MOD0]

Not afraid to ring it out at all. For some reason that 3500 rpm number is just so relaxing. Boats happy, motor is happy................ wife is happy.

Ps. My old boat. Hope new owner is happy as well.

 

[DWC]

It’s funny the people ask how fast a boat goes are scared to ring theirs boat out

 

[HPBoats83]

3500 on a 25’ Shockwave for the long haul, about 45 mph. What’s the max rpm on a 496HO again, 5100?

 

[mash on it]

It’s funny the people ask how fast a boat goes are scared to ring theirs boat out

I'll throw you the keys.
You can wring it out to your hearts content. I built that junk, so have no fear.

Are you willing to do the same?

Dan'l

Edit - 57 mph, up river