Slow Down and Just Cruise

[agallant80]

So lately instead of getting my boat up on plain and bombing around at 25-30MPH I have been just kicking the motor up to 1,500RPM doing about 8 knots and just taking the view in. Is anyone else up there tired of cursing around on plain and the things that come with it (burning 15 gallons/hour, getting knocked around)

 

[Campylobacter]

Re: Slow Down and Just Cruise

Every situation is different. The last time I tried a slow "cruise" the crew rebelled because it was 90 deg and they needed to cool down!

 

[southkogs]

Re: Slow Down and Just Cruise

Is anyone else up there tired of cursing around...

I get really @#!!**#@ tired of cursing around!! (sorry, low hanging fruit)

We probably do at least 60% of our boating "puttin'" around the lake. The kids like the faster runs, and when I've got a lot of distance to cover I like to get up on plane and go. BUT, the Admiral likes the slow take in the sun and sights speed best - so we keep it low and slow quite a bit.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Slow Down and Just Cruise

My bunch enjoys it at what I call breeze speed just fine. It aint like your late to work.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Slow Down and Just Cruise

We normally cruise just above planing speed (~20mph) so it's not exactly moving at a fast pace. We'll normally track the shoreline and watch the scenery go by. We'll open it up when going across the lake if the water conditions permit, but we aren't generally running 30mph+ when cruising.

 

[mippel]

Re: Slow Down and Just Cruise

So lately instead of getting my boat up on plain and bombing around at 25-30MPH I have been just kicking the motor up to 1,500RPM doing about 8 knots and just taking the view in. Is anyone else up there tired of cursing around on plain and the things that come with it (burning 15 gallons/hour, getting knocked around)

I felt the same way and did something about it (look at signature). A bowrider was not the right fit for us, so i went and got a pontoon. Sure there are tradeoffs, but i do not regret it(yet). Sure i miss the speed now and then, but the toon is getting used for what we like to do.

 

[CWKboat]

Re: Slow Down and Just Cruise

The Merc inline 6 and Black Max both seem to cruise best at 4000-4200 RPM. Anything less would be be uncivilized as the old Right Guard commericals used to say.

 

[skydiveD30571]

Re: Slow Down and Just Cruise

So lately instead of getting my boat up on plain and bombing around at 25-30MPH I have been just kicking the motor up to 1,500RPM doing about 8 knots and just taking the view in. Is anyone else up there tired of cursing around on plain and the things that come with it (burning 15 gallons/hour, getting knocked around)

We usually run just above planing speed (~20mph). It's still pretty slow but much more comfortable than sitting in the hole and having the bow pointed 45? in the air. Plus most engines are operating around their best fuel efficiency just over planing speed. Dragging the rear end, not so much.

I don't like to gun it very often. When we first hit the water just to check things out. Otherwise it's too expensive to me and I'm there to relax not race.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Slow Down and Just Cruise

i been into the slow crusie thing too for the last several years.
i cruise the shoreline too + go the leeward side of the lake wind, then float clean across the lake. take me hour(s) to get across the lake.
i do usually get up on plane once an outing. usually 2500-3k rpm. once in a while i also do wot just to see that my boat is performing proper and i can still reach wot. which on an L6 is 3900-4300. my L6 is still orginal and not been rebuilt, compression is still servicable but my spread is and easy 10% between cyls. i've got no bread for a rebuild so i figure some slower crusien will hopefully make it last just that much longer.
i even have taken it one step further for slow cruising. i got a canoe. now that's slow and quite for sure + don't use a drop of fuel.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Slow Down and Just Cruise

I can't STAND to cruise slow if I'm driving.... bores me to tears (people without A.D.D. can't understand) but if someone else takes the wheel and I can let my mind drift I don't care how slow we go...... love it then

 

[JoshOnt]

Re: Slow Down and Just Cruise

Yeah I love speed when I am driving but don't mind slow cruising when I am not driving. Like the little gas used then.

 

[25thmustang]

Re: Slow Down and Just Cruise

I tend to prefer a nice slow cruise. 2900 RPM at 18 mph seems just right. At steerage speed it's just too slow, and anything over 3100-3200 I feel like I'm working the motors a little too much.

 

[idonthaveaname]

Re: Slow Down and Just Cruise

"tired of cursing around on plain"

My cursing is anything but plain. That said, unless I am trying to get somewhere to fish, slow is the way to go. Fuel is just too darn expensive. I think 8 to 10 knots is perfect; depending on the boat. If I can talk someone into the driving it's even better.

 

[Silverton34c]

Re: Slow Down and Just Cruise

I tend to prefer a nice slow cruise. 2900 RPM at 18 mph seems just right. At steerage speed it's just too slow, and anything over 3100-3200 I feel like I'm working the motors a little too much.

How do you get 18 mph out of your 34 Silverton? I am lucky to hit 13mph at 3100rpm!!?? I spin 18 x 19 props also

 

[jkust]

Re: Slow Down and Just Cruise

My kids want it WOT or nothing. A slow on plane cruise garners constant calls of 'faster'. Probably going to get a pontoon as well soon so that should fix that.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Slow Down and Just Cruise

The boat only knows 3 speeds. No wake @900 rpm. Trolling @1000 rpm and cruise @4200rpm. Our favor restaurant on the Eastern Shore is 31 miles each way. The summer fishing grounds are 30-60 miles each way. I get impatient running those distances at the 30 mph. Plugging along at 8 mph would be an eternity

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: Slow Down and Just Cruise

I'm rarely at WOT.I cruise often at 3900 rpm and more at times. Never in a hurry unless the Atlantic is kicking up and headed for the ICW.

 

[DougGreer]

Re: Slow Down and Just Cruise

Like to cruise around 15 MPH, Sure can see a lot more and don't burn as much fuel if I was doing twice that speed.

 

[scott8058]

Re: Slow Down and Just Cruise

Our cruise is 3000 rpms and low 30's, i also have constant calls for go fast so we rip on it once or twice a trip but just for a few secs.

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Slow Down and Just Cruise

3050rpm/28mph is the sweet spot for mpg in my rig, and just feels right - engine is quiet, I'm not a moving roadblock in the channel, and the seagulls like to fly beside me at that speed which I find kind of calming in an odd way.