22’ Cruiser top speed

BuildItOnce · Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2018 6:54 pm Post subject: 22’ Cruiser top speed

Greetings C-Brats!

I finally took the 22’ Cruiser I’m interested in buying for a test run and I’m moving forward with the purchase.

My only concern at the moment is the top speed of the boat. The seller indicated around 23mph. When we took it out today we had it pretty loaded up with people (7 of us, 4 were kids ranging from 60-115lbs). There was some small chop and we maxed out at 22mph ground speed on the GPS.

CaptMac recently gave me feedback on his 22’ Cruiser’s top speed with twin Honda 45s, indicating he’s been up to 26mph with some throttle left.

This 22’ Cruiser I tested today has twin 50s, but seems to max out at 23mph... should I be concerned? Is this an issue of the props on these motors, or carburetor tuning and syncing? Or could it be a more serious issue like a breached hull that’s soaked up a bunch of water and added weight to the boat? Would you expect the top speed of a 2008 22’ Cruiser with twin Honda 50s to exceed 23mph?

The boat is a 2008 as are the motors. We were right at about 5000 RPMs at top speed. The throttle was maxed at 5000 RPMs.

Any feedback is much appreciated!

Fairbro · Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2018 7:10 pm Post subject:

Twin 40’s (not much different than 50’s regarding top speed) on my 22 with just me I seldom broke 23 and never 25. With all those folks aboard I’d say it did damned well! Trim, wind, current, load, prop, weight and even air temperature effect top speed of the boat. I’d say the seller was honest and that speaks well of him.

JamesTXSD · Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2018 7:13 pm Post subject:

Full throttle range on those motors should be 5,500 to 6,000 RPM. With 7 people onboard, that additional weight will affect the performance. I'd say it is pretty impressive that it got to 22mph with that load. Weight distribution will make a difference on performance, as well.

If you were going to run it that heavy all the time, I'd probably say you should look into different props (or a bigger boat). Otherwise, it sounds to me like it is doing what can be expected.

DavidM · Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2018 8:38 pm Post subject:

I agree with all that has been said above. But what was the wot rpm? That will tell you how the boat is propped.

David

san juanderer · Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2018 9:44 pm Post subject:

Builditonce indicates WOT is 5000 rpm with that 7 person load.
As another response indicated 5500 to 6000 rpm is the spec.
If your going to load it with 7 persons, you better be closer to the 6000 rpm.
Over propped, is very hard on a motor. Exhaust temps get very high.

thataway · Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2018 9:51 pm Post subject:

Light boat--minimum fuel, one or two people, you should be close to 30 mph. The WOT should be close to 6,000 RPM. There is going to be a difference between aluminum (more flex) props and SS props which are the same pitch and diameter. Not only pitch, but diameter, cup, rake are all factors in propping.

I agree that this boat did OK to get to 22 mph, But, it is over propped, and you should be getting closer to 6,000 RPM. 7 people means probably 1100 lbs weight. I agree if you are going to be usually taking that much weight--you will want to prop the boat for that. Or if you are going with less persons, and more cruising gear, food, fuel etc--then prop for that.

The 22 is a pretty small boat for 7 people--even for 5 people to cruise in.

DavidM · Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2018 9:54 pm Post subject: