How Fast SHOULD I be going? :)

[Big_Tuna]

Hi everyone.

Pretty new to boating here.

So, I have an 1988 Larson Citation 150 Bow Rider. (I have never seen another one anywhere else!) This is a 15 foot boat, with a 1970 Johnson 60hp outboard mounted to the back. I have had some issue with the lower end, but all fixed now, good ole Marine J B Weld!

I was out on the water with the wife, and brought along my GPS to see how fast we were actually going, since the boat doesnt have a tach or speedo. I WAS ONLY GOING 25 MPH!! Shouldnt I be going faster than that?

I did buy some carb rebuild kits, as one cylinder struggles to kick in until the motor is running higher RPM's... Also, the boat looks like it has two coats of Anti-fouling paint on top of the gelcoat (which feels like sandpaper). But is that paint enough to slow it down that much in the water?

WHO KNOWS?!?

I bought this boat very cheap, and it doesnt really bother me too much.. if its not fast, its not fast....

 

[AviatorJim]

Re: How Fast SHOULD I be going?

A glass boat, with a 40 ear old 60 hp motor doing 25 is pretty good. That is enough to ski behind.

 

[drrpm]

Re: How Fast SHOULD I be going?

That sounds about right. That motor isn't putting out 60 HP anymore. Also, motors today are rated at the prop vs years ago rating at the crankshaft so that motor wouldn't be a 60 today even if it ran perfectly.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: How Fast SHOULD I be going?

25 mph on that isn't that bad at all. I agree with the above, 40 year old engine that is about the same as a 40-45 hp in todays rankings isn't going to get above 25 mph.

 

[Mason78]

Re: How Fast SHOULD I be going?

What is the weight of the boat?

 

[Ciera2450]

Re: How Fast SHOULD I be going?

I have a 15"tri hull with a 1975 Johnson 75hp. I hit 30mph top speed. I think you are right in there at 25

 

[southkogs]

Re: How Fast SHOULD I be going?

Yup - you sound pretty good. My last boat was a 15' tri hull with a 65, and it would run around 30 when conditions were right. Loaded out she normally ran a little over 25.

Great boat to ski behind, and that 65 would run forever on a tank of gas if you took it easy.

 

[5150abf]

Re: How Fast SHOULD I be going?

I have a heavy aluminum boat that is 16' long and has a 50, it goes between 26-30 so I would say you are right in there, your boat is probabaly a bit heavier with more or less the same power.

 

[eavega]

Re: How Fast SHOULD I be going?

I have a 15"tri hull with a 1975 Johnson 75hp. I hit 30mph top speed. I think you are right in there at 25

About the same here. My boat is a 15' Tri-Hull with a 1976 70 HP, propped with a 19" pitch Stainless Steel 3-blade. I am running within spec at 5200 RPM WOT, and top speed of the boat with two adults and fishing gear is about 32 MPH. You need a tach to verify you are running at optimal RPM, then you can start playing around with the trim, motor position, etc. to get the engine speed within its recommended spec. Either way, I wouldn't expect much more than 25-30 MPH with what you got.

Rgds