New boater - cruising speed question - 1986 24' cuddy w Mercruiser 260

[Captain Gecko]

Hi all,

I'm new to boats and boating, I've been enjoying my new (to me) boat, bought recently. She's a 24' cuddy cruiser, 1986, with a 260 Mercruiser I/O (4 b carb, thunderbolt ignition, 1000 hours), see pic. Runs great, engine always starts first time, idles well, runs smoothly at speed, nothing untoward that I have noticed (mind you my experience is all with cars).

Question - At cruising speed, around 3400 RPM, I am seeing about 25 knots (per my speedometer and GPS). Does this seem right for this boat size and engine? I get this speed with the trim tabs fully up and engine trimmed up about 25% from the fully down position.

Thank you!

Chris

 

[dan t.]

Re: New boater - cruising speed question - 1986 24' cuddy w Mercruiser 260

Sounds right on the money to me, whats your wot rpm, should be around 4500-4600.

 

[JoLin]

Re: New boater - cruising speed question - 1986 24' cuddy w Mercruiser 260

Yes, you're right where you should be. Nice to hear it runs so well for you. Have fun!

 

['78 Crusader]

Re: New boater - cruising speed question - 1986 24' cuddy w Mercruiser 260

3,200-3,400 rpms is typically the "sweet spot" for cruising.

 

[Captain Gecko]

Re: New boater - cruising speed question - 1986 24' cuddy w Mercruiser 260

Thanks guys, appreciated. There's a Mercury report for my exact boat model with the boat's manual, states about 44 mph top speed unloaded at around 4500 RPM I think? Don't have it handy right now. I think WOT is about 4200-4600 on paper, I haven't pushed the boat to that yet. So was basically wondering if I'm too low for 3400.

Seems I'm around where I should be which jives with the engine apparently running perfectly.

Cheers!

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: New boater - cruising speed question - 1986 24' cuddy w Mercruiser 260

Thanks guys, appreciated. There's a Mercury report for my exact boat model with the boat's manual, states about 44 mph top speed unloaded at around 4500 RPM I think? Don't have it handy right now. I think WOT is about 4200-4600 on paper, I haven't pushed the boat to that yet. So was basically wondering if I'm too low for 3400.

Seems I'm around where I should be which jives with the engine apparently running perfectly.

Cheers!

yep-sounds good