Re: Slow Down and Just Cruise
I'll warm it a bit, then take to an easy plane for a while. After a bit I'll get the itch to run up high on the planing surface so I'll lay on some speed. I must be getting cheap and old, I usually don't run hard for long. I keep looking at the fuel gauge and thinking how far I can go if I manage my fuel well. Plus when she gets up and rips I generally have to watch my stuff, it seems to jump out of the boat! So I'll usually run just on plane around 2000 to 2500 rpms which gets me 20 to 27 mph. Much below 18 mph the stern begins to squat. I have an almost 1,000 lb motor and drive, 85 pound dog, 100 to 200 pounds of fuel and my bride all behind the center of gravity. So I need a little speed to keep it planing and not digging a hole in the lake. Plus on a low plane I can speed up to skim boat wakes and wind bumps or back down to ease through the big ones.
My boat is a little light for the cubes it packs so if I decide to go too fast things get a little um dramatic or exciting. (Depending on your mood).
This year I redid the carb and the motor is more responsive than it used to be. I find myself giving the gas a hard shot or a full throttle burst sometimes when there is room and it's not too choppy. I LOVE that growl and feeling of acceleration as it takes off.
A powerful engine moving your boat onto a plane and up to speed is one of life's pleasures.
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