OptiMax vs E-TEC. Find out why Mercury OptiMax is the best DI 2 Stroke to buy.

[malvizzu]

If it helps, my Petecraft 14 Open with 50HP Evinrude ETEC and standard aluminium prop, does 28.1 knts with 2 average persons. When I tried a lower pitch, it planed earlier but lost 2 knts of speed. To be honest I always thought that the boat could go faster but am not inclined to spend hundreds of euros to check different props. Someone from Etec Owners, a US forum website for Etec owners, suggested that I should go for a stainless steel prop. But again, everyone knows how expensive they are and if the prop is not the right one, than it will be purely money down the drain.

[digger0579]

If it helps, my Petecraft 14 Open with 50HP Evinrude ETEC and standard aluminium prop, does 28.1 knts with 2 average persons. When I tried a lower pitch, it planed earlier but lost 2 knts of speed. To be honest I always thought that the boat could go faster but am not inclined to spend hundreds of euros to check different props. Someone from Etec Owners, a US forum website for Etec owners, suggested that I should go for a stainless steel prop. But again, everyone knows how expensive they are and if the prop is not the right one, than it will be purely money down the drain.

listen I think you are there Malvizzu. I had  a petecraft 14 open with mariner 30Hp four stroke and the max i saw with two persons was 22.2 knots and by my self 23. something. I think if you change the prop you should get 2-3 knots more but 28 knots on a 14ft boat is really really good.

[Granitu]

I fail to understand all this fuss with speed...

Speed is convenient, but i think on a boat 10-20 knots is more than enough. I fail to understand what an extra 5-6 knots will give you unless they are justified by some cost saving in terms of fuel and engine Wear and Tear.

What I also notice is that engines that are run flat out will eventually have a shorter life span. One should always look to run his engine at its ideal cruising RPM (every engine has it)

for engine I am referring to Inboards and outboards

[Shaftbomb]

Granitu, I agree with you hundred percent.  Most of the boats mentioned above in this thread are not speed boats and can't understand what a difference in 3 to 5 kts can make.  Last week I was coming in with my boats from a lampuki trip, my yanmar was revving 2400rpm and I was doing 23kts.  The boat was cruising comfortably and steady like an arrow.  Going over 25/26 kts for a long period of time in my opinion is not comfortable.

[skip]

Well said guys, speed has always been a fascination and I think a lot of ppl suffer from my boat can do x number of knots, how fast does yours go!!!

What I care about is how fuel efficient my set up is at cruise, all the rest is superfluous! With modern engines that have ECM's and Digital gauges we are starting to see what the actual fuel flow is without the need for a separate flow gauge. Combine this with a GPS speed and the gauge can work out your economy and this is more important than flow rate.

If you can do 20 knots cruising at say 1.3nm/litre, if you can maintain that economy at a higher speed assuming condition allow then you have what I like to term a fast cruise. Yes you will have a higher flow rate, but you will get there quicker....not enough people focus on their economy which considering fuel is at €1.54 a litre is no joke.

[Granitu]

Granitu, I agree with you hundred percent.  Most of the boats mentioned above in this thread are not speed boats and can't understand what a difference in 3 to 5 kts can make.  Last week I was coming in with my boats from a lampuki trip, my yanmar was revving 2400rpm and I was doing 23kts.  The boat was cruising comfortably and steady like an arrow.  Going over 25/26 kts for a long period of time in my opinion is not comfortable.

What I know for sure is that while they quest speed, when they need trolling speeds of 1-2 knots, they would have a big problem - unfortunately with propellors you have to compromise to what fits your use best.