Re: whats rpm should i cruise at
"Cruise" means different things to different folks; I think of cruise as best fuel mileage. Without a flow meter, a good rule of thumb is 2/3 of WOT rpm. That assumes a properly set up and propped outboard that is adequate for the craft on which it sits.
There are those who claim outboards were designed to run WOT all the time, though I've yet to see any design specs or other engineering data to support such a claim. I would suggest those who think that probably don't have enough engine on their craft so they have to lean on it just to get anywhere. I use WOT only when there's a good reason, and only for as long as necessary. And in forty years I've only blown one engine, and it was ragged out when I got it ...
