60 mph vs 80 mph vs 100 mph - index speed for Pleasure Craft Enjoyment.

[David - WI]

There is a "sweet spot" around 60 mph where the HST "gets free" and takes way less throttle to cruise at... you can see it in the sim, too (about 10hp less needed to go 60 than 40 or 80 mph).

[Beak Boater]

interesting thread... as said already...60, 80,100 doesnt matter. They can all be fun or boring depending on the boat. 100 mph in a 318 skater, or a 36 Wright Performance is a boring ride. 60 in a Venom, or a Play Mate Checkmate can an uncomfortable ride. My first go fast ride was in a friends Checkmate V Mate with a 850 Merc. 50 mph Scared the living crap out of me........but I was hooked.
I have always favored the feel of acceleration over speed. Cruising along at 80 or 100 is ok. To me a boat that takes a minute or better to reach the top speed is a bit boring. Love to pin the sticks and feel the boat jump out of the water and push me back into the seat....yeah it doesnt last as long. (Randy Corson and I had the same conversation) but I love the that feeling over just raw speed.

[DangerNewb]

There is a "sweet spot" around 60 mph where the HST "gets free" and takes way less throttle to cruise at... you can see it in the sim, too (about 10hp less needed to go 60 than 40 or 80 mph).

Yep, exactly the speed I like to cruise whatever hull I'm running. Get it to break loose, then back off some and cruise. Whatever that speed is for that boat.

[shook]

I felt the outing was a complete bust if didn't hit 120 in the bass boat !

[Captin Hazlewood]

Enjoyment factor vs speed definitely depends on the boat. Friend of mine has a 110mph Talon. At 110 it's like sitting on the sofa, fun but kinda boring. My Liberator 21' at 95 or 100 is much more, lets just say... interesting.

[home made tunnel]

I've never been on a "BIG" go-fast boat. Only the 20-22' bow riders with the ski-motor V8 mercruisers and open exhaust. 60mph is common. I'd love to have the chance to hop on a 35' big water cat and go for a ride. I'm so jealous of those guys.

So I couldn't even afford a viper, hydrostream, etc... so I built my own tunnel hull! Next thing I know, I've got a 14' bayliner with a 120hp two stroke on the back as well. That's a solid 65mph boat with the leg buried and hauling the mail with all the friends and beer it can fit. Then I've got the 13'tunnel with the 115hp brand new motor... does about the same speed, RIDES MUCH NICER in rough water, but dang it's a handful.

I'd love a 30' cat with stock big-blocks or even simple 350's and just cruise around @ 60mph in huge rough water. Finding a hull without killing the bank is the hard part. I've got $100k boat taste, with $5k boat funds haha.

RANDY'S BOATS MAKE ME HAVE GREEN EYES!!!

[powerabout]

I can do
25 with my 25hp
40 with my 40hp
70 with by 70hp
how ya going with your 200hp?

[David]

Is that HP vs mph curve from the Aeromarine software?

[JBS]

I would say your age has a lot to do with how fast you want to go also.

Agree 100% I can't see or react as good as I could 35 years ago. As mentioned, I'm more into acceleration than top end. I'll run 80 quick with a 24 drag rather than 100 with the 30ET. Instigators post had lots of practical wisdom.

[tnelsmn]

I've got $100k boat taste, with $5k boat funds

"Champagne taste on a beer budget" Has to be one of my favorite sayings hahaha.

I gotta think you could find a $500 Hydrostream/garden planter full of mulch and recore it for about what you have into the home made tunnel? It wouldn't be a pretty boat but would be solid.

[Forkin' Crazy]

The way I figure it, my cruise speed is 20-25mph slower than top speed on a 95 mph boat. So I can cruise 70-75 manipulating the trim to air the boat out. I could cruise all day at that speed and get decent gas mileage for an old dirty two stroke. With 30 gallons I can run about 80-90 miles. A good day is coming back to the launch with the gas gauge banging on E!

[Dave S]

A good day is not being towed in........

[RNM018]

At 60 mph , your head is still full of all the nonsense that when on during the week that makes you want to go for a boat ride in the first place . At 80mph , your starting to shake loose the cobb webs and filter out some of the left over nonsense that was the reason we drive fast boats . At 100 plus MPH we are 100% paying attention to just what where doing at the moment , feeling the airs effects on the boat , reading the water for any signs of something that could possibly bring this ride to a bad end and listening to the boat and the sound of the motor screaming and trying to escape the confines of the cowling that covers it . As we start to slow down from 100mph and the boat settles back down onto the water again , all thoughts of anything but what we are doing at that moment and the few seconds we spent above 100 mph have been completely erased from our minds as we start looking around for that next perfect piece of water to do it all over again ! That's the difference between 60 , 80 and 100 MPH on water !


Rich Martin 018

[Instigator]

Very we’ll put Rich.

I used to say that in 10 mins I could teach you how to drive my STV 100 mph and you’d spend all day talking about it after getting out.

If I did the same w/my 100 mph Allison you’d need a cigarette when you got out, even if you didn’t smoke!

At 60 mph , your head is still full of all the nonsense that when on during the week that makes you want to go for a boat ride in the first place . At 80mph , your starting to shake loose the cobb webs and filter out some of the left over nonsense that was the reason we drive fast boats . At 100 plus MPH we are 100% paying attention to just what where doing at the moment , feeling the airs effects on the boat , reading the water for any signs of something that could possibly bring this ride to a bad end and listening to the boat and the sound of the motor screaming and trying to escape the confines of the cowling that covers it . As we start to slow down from 100mph and the boat settles back down onto the water again , all thoughts of anything but what we are doing at that moment and the few seconds we spent above 100 mph have been completely erased from our minds as we start looking around for that next perfect piece of water to do it all over again ! That's the difference between 60 , 80 and 100 MPH on water !


Rich Martin 018

[rgsauger]

Winston Churchill said "theres nothing so exhillerating as to be shot at...and missed!"

I'm still getting my seat time and pad time so every time I back it down from running up top and "feeling the edge" a little voice in my head says "they missed!!"