Re: WOT RPM's
ddbyrd3,<br /><br />Sure...if that's your goal...go for it. Tinker all you want. The original poster isn't in that position, if I read him correctly. He doesn't care about that extra 3mph or so. He just wants to make sure he's not damaging his outboard.<br /><br />I've seen no evidence that operating a Johnnyrude within its factory specs for WOT operation is harmful to the engine. If it were, all those folks out there who don't bother switching props and hunting for the maximum RPM would have busted engines. They don't. <br /><br />For most people, wringing the last possible bit of performance out of their outboard is not a serious goal. They're using their boats for what they were intended and not worrying about it.<br /><br />In fact, I'll wager that most boat owners spend very little time at WOT in the first place. Most folks back off a bit and cruise along happily.<br /><br />My guess is that all those old Johnnyrudes that are running very nicely after 20, 30, or 40-some years were treated that way by their many previous owners. That's why they're still running today.<br /><br />But, that's just me. Performance-oriented folks will continue to tweak and tune and go for the max. And so they should, if that's what they want.<br /><br />I just question the validity of telling folks who don't really care about peak performance that they'll damage their engine if they don't run it at or beyond the max rpm recommended by the manufacturer. The manufacturers provide a range of rpms for WOT operation. Within that range, an owner should be comfortable that they're not damaging their engine.<br /><br />In reality, the ones who will get the longest life out of their expensive outboards are the ones who perform all the proper maintenance and run their outboard below WOT most of the time. That much I can guarantee. There is no piston engine that gets its maximum durability by being run at full throttle and full load most of the time. Not a single one....outboard, automotive, or any other.<br /><br />I have the greatest respect for Dhadley and Kenny. They're the masters at getting the maximum performance out of a Johnnyrude and a boat. But, when they suggest that anything other than maximum RPM and WOT operation is bad for the outboard, then I think they're doing a disservice to those who are not performance-oriented.<br /><br />The original poster can safely operate his outboard at 5400 RPM. He will not damage his engine. He's well within the manufacturer's specs.
