Thread: Boat Speed (From other post)

Ok. I go interested in the discussion going on about the boat speed on the Express-vs-War Eagle post. I would like to get some details on this like slimyslab.
I have a new War Eagle predator with 115 four stroke. It will run 47 MPH on GPS and that is all she has got. I am running a 19 pitch prop and turning 5800 rpm. So what are you guys getting out of your boats and what kind of RPM's you turning.
I am talking with Yamaha today to see what I can do if anything to improve performance via a prop. I think this boat should be running low 50's.

47 ain't fast enough for ya? My 90 will push my boat 37, and I feel that is plenty fast.

Cane Pole told me that he is getting 47-48 mph gps out of his Predator with the same set up as you. So that may the top end for the Predator.

I am just wondering what G3 is doing diffrent to get an extra 18 mph out of close to the same set up as CrappieHunter68 and CanePole. I run low 40's which is plenty fast for me but a little more would not hurt my feelings either. I was just wondering what G3 was doing different so that mabey I could give it a try.

47 is fast enough for me but I was interested to see if prop or boat manufacturer could generate a significant difference. I have heard a couple of folks say they were getting mid 50's even 60 out of a 115 Yamaha and that is a lot of difference.
I have talked with Yamaha and they said my boat is running perfect in the range they like to see. 5500 to 6000 I am running 5800 in the cold which will drop a 100 or a little better come summer.
I am satisfied but curious about the speed differential.

May be wrong about this, but G-3s boat has a pad hull. The predetor doesnt. If I'm right, you'll never see the speed he gets with the same motor because you've got more surface in the water he does.

If speed and aluminum is your game, the Xpress X (17, 18, 21 etc) series is king.....and nobody, so far, can touch them.

Wannabe...

My G3 Eagle 185 boat is a lot narrower and lighter than the Express and the War Eagle Predator...thus less drag. The bottom of the hull is designed completely different from those as well. Yamaha owns G3 and they told me when I bought the boat that it would run 65 mph with the 115 Yamaha four stroke, and it does. My boat dealership put a stainless Rapture prop on it...I will have to go look to get the dia and pitch as I do not remember. They also raised the motor up on the transom some. It is turning 5800 rpm at wot and trimmed out. Now keep in mind to go 65 the water needs to be as smooth as glass to do this, but it will do it. However it does not feel real good...I like 55 mph a lot better. Just feels more stable at 55. They did tell me they thought I could get a little more if I raised the motor up another inch on the transom.....I told them no that its just fine like it is. Most of the time I do not get over 30-35 mph.

Well you learn something everyday. Well except for Wannabe (he knows it all already).
I know the Express boys said their boat was faster when I was looking at boats to buy, but man that is a lot faster. Speed was not on my list of things to consider when I bought so didn't pay a lot of attention.
60 MPH in a aluminium boat is scary fast.

60 mph in any boat is scary to me.

I get 36 to 37 outa my 1860 Polar like Feelays with a 60 4 popper on it. Its rated for a 115 and I feel like it would do mid 50's or 60 with a 115 easily.