Hi Chip, I average about 1800 miles a year on my 34PC. 496 Mags, 375HP ea. I average about .9 miles per gallon. Fast cruise at 3400 rpm at about 36mph if by myself and no other boats. if i am with some of by boating buddies, I cruise at 30MPH 2900 RPM so they can keep up ;D My GPH stays at .9 MPG from 3000 rpm up to 3650rpm. Anything above that will bring it down to .7 MPG and so on. I average about 30 to 32 GPH over the summer. Top speed on the boat is 52 MPH is slight chop no wind and the bimini folded up. 3/4 fuel, 1/2 water and sometime a full black tank :'( and all the stuff you need for 2 adults and 2 kids to live aboard every fri, sat and sun of the summer. I swear in the beginning of the season she sits 2 inches higher LOL ;D She handles like she is on rails. My friend calls it an oversized wave runner!
In the ocean, with 2 to 4's she will handle with no problem at 32 to 34 mph. in 4 to 6 bring her down to about 26 to 28 mph. this takes a little practice with Tabs and trim. I have been in some bad stuff, 10+, not on purpose. She handles it good but not fast, any boat will have issues in 8 to 10+. I have been on many trips from Atlantic City to the Chesapeake, Baltimore MD etc... Usually we get a nice ride in one direction and then the other will be rough. I can attest to this, every time we pull into a marina after a long rough ride with our other boating friends in same size boat or even bigger they have to go thru the clean up process :
cabinet doors open, fridge doors open, all kinds of stuff comes loose on there boats. Beers pop open when falling out etc.. We have never had anything open up on us. Every year i always check the doors and make sure nothing is loose just in case. Also helps prevent this from happening.
I think the best thing is when you have a guy on a wave runner, the average wave runner few years old come up behind you. You can put the hammer down and walk away from them for a little. The look on there face is priceless!!
PS. I have no bottom paint and have bravo III XR props on my boat. Polished and balanced. 4 blades on the front and 3 on the rear. They are 27P props. Boat came with 24 Bravo III's. However there are a few guys on the forum with the regular Barvo III's that still hit 48 to 52 MPH. I just do it at 4100 to 4200 RPM. If you ever need a demo, give me a ring, i am always looking for an excuse to go for a ride
Few pics on a flat day off AC. You can see that there is not much boat in the water and the Deep V will just cut a wave if needed. Little bit of wake jump'n too. Sorry there are no models or crystal blue water with palm trees!
PSS. thats not brown bottom paint, just fresh water river scum.. comes right off with a little soap and a brush.
