Gas Powered Boat At Trawler Speed

[bbrnhart]

Is it hard on gas motors to run at trawler speed with a 38' twin screw?

 

[JustJason]

Re: Gas Powered Boat At Trawler Speed

Define "hard"....

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: Gas Powered Boat At Trawler Speed

If the drive system is geared and propped properly it's no harder on the engines than it would be in a smaller boat. As long as the engines can reach maximum rpm's they will be fine. What will take a beating is your wallet.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Gas Powered Boat At Trawler Speed

In addition to "hard", you need to define "trawler speed." I would take that to mean slow as opposed WOT. If that's what you mean, it should be easier on the wallet.

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: Gas Powered Boat At Trawler Speed

Gas engines will last a really long time with a light load. The lighter the load, the better, so running a planing hull at displacement speed can make the engines run a long time. If the boat has stern drives, low speeds will tend to pound out the grease in the coupler more quickly than high speeds. Halve the coupler grease schedule if you run low speeds with a stern drive.

Diesels last longer at heavy loads, like 70 to 80 percent of their maximum rated output power, otherwise they don't run hot enough.

 

[arks]

Re: Gas Powered Boat At Trawler Speed

Is it hard on gas motors to run at trawler speed with a 38' twin screw?

I sure hope not because that's EXACTLY how I'm running this year!