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

[Instigator]

Another couple points to my analogy.

1. Passengers.
Once you pass 80, do you explain to them that they may die if something goes south?
If you don’t, does that not bother you?

I have a good friend that’s been a regular passenger in every fast boat I’ve had, except ont.
He would not get in the 100 mph Vector.

2.Vests, kill switches etc.
Do you buy and wear a real race vest now?
As in, one w/crotch straps so it won’t come off when you hit the water?

Easy to be the man when you haven’t hit the water before.
Go for a swim at over 60 and give me a call.

[da sponge]

i think 60mph to 80 mph great fun very comfortable 90mph to 100mph takes all my concentration 100mph to 110mph never gets old a true rush ever time old saying life on water starts at 100 mph is true

[Smalltownbassin]

"Smiles per hour" is definitely the best explanation!

[Instigator]

Ill also add, “fun per dollar”.

[LakeFever]

I had a baptism by fire with my first stream because it tapped out at 60 with the 135 and got up on the pad around 55 so it was a total handful to drive. I had all sorts of learning, paddle wheeling and blowout and non stop wheel corrections plus no hot foot so I had to commit with the hand throttle. Every time I was done my hands were aching from the grip effort. I was scared to go faster I thought something was up that I didn’t know about and then events unfolded and I bought another stream with a 200efi running a 27p Mazco chopper and hydraulic steering. First run out I couldn’t believe how easy it was to drive! It popped up on the pad somewhere around the same speed as the first but did so very quickly and drama free then up on the pad it easily stretched out to mid 70’s and it really wasn’t bad or scary at all compared to my first one.

so I guess what I’m trying to say is get to the pad rising spot and try and cruise there a while. If you get that down the faster speeds seem easy. I got a vandal as well and that is the easiest by far to drive and as much as I don’t want to admit it, it’s also the most fun to drive. What a little go cart type hull. Super fun

[XstreamVking]

For pure enjoyment, I still smile every time when I take my sons 13' tunnel with a 25hp merc tiller out. Slide the boat in the water, start it up, cruise for a dollar an hr. It goes 32 with me in it, and it feels like 100 in that little boat. I think it takes me back to when I was a kid in a jon boat exploring the waters. I own a 90 mph boat, an 80 mph boat and a 55 mph boat. All are fun in their own way. The little 13' one is just so easy...

[mikesufka]

Interesting thread ....

In late grade school and high school, I thought the ultimate was to jump in my dad's Hydrostream and drive 80 mph on the speedo ( real speed low 70's - LOL ). From there, Allisons and a few twin engine cats from 22-30 feet.

Honestly, the last few years, I have had more fun taking Jen ( girlfriend ) and the late "Little Saulie" ( Cocker Spaniel ) for an idling booze crew in my 1939 Chris Craft 19 ft Barrelback, while my 28 Skater sits on the lift.

MDS

[rock]

60 is fast till you go 70 then 60 is not that big of a deal. Same thing till you find your limit. Not the boat/motors limit, yours. I found mine without getting hurt so I was extremely lucky. Once you find that limit be man enough to say that's enough. Pushing too hard can be catastrophic. Never took passengers over about 90 as I could never deal with the guilt of harming a friend. As we all know, things break and often at inopportune moments. Be careful my friends.

Rock

[David]

Almost anyone can drive my SS2000 to 60. Where's the fun in that? At 70 it's a lot more interesting and that makes it feel faster. I have no need to take it past 90.

[David]

I get the appeal of milestone mph readings

Viper is within . 21 mph of hitting 80 (screamandfly.com)

[bouyhead]

Great thread! When I'm solo and the conditions are primo I enjoy hitting the limiter but I spend most of my time in the low 60's. More smiles per mile for me as my GF is always with me, I got one hand on the wheel and the other is resting on the gunwale, I'm flying the bow a bit, she's rock steady, and I can do this through some heavy chop! Besides, one glance down at the gauges and I know I'm one stomp away from some serious acceleration.

[Turborr]

Size of the boat has something to do with it also. I ran 85 in a 30 cat and my hand prints are still embeded in the grab rails. Ran 100 in a 35 and wasn't even holding on.

Never ran fast in a small monohull...not sure if I want to unless I am the driver!

[DangerNewb]

For me its all about when the hull breaks free and flies. My old seebold took about 70 to break free so cruised at 75 often. Stv frees up around mid 60s. Same, I cruise at 75. 25 liberator needs more speed to fly so I cruise at 80 to 85 often. Once the boat is flying, to me, it doesn't feel much different to add 10 or 15mph. Occasionally I'll stab the throttle and run the stv to mid 90s and the liberator to 105. But not very often. I really don't want to feel the water at 90mph. Too many mx crashes throughout my life. Really don't like the blunt force trauma at this point.

[SUNKIST]

I LIKE BOATS THAT GO FASST...nothing beats scaring the passengers to death...as long as you know your in control...

[LakeFever]

Vandal airs out at 45 lol