318 Cruising RPM's/Speed

firecadet613 · **Posted:** Sun Jul 28, 2013 9:43 pm

This topic came up in a conversation I had a few days ago.

What RPM/Speed do you run your boat at during a long cruise? 3650-3750RPM is where I try to keep it, which gives me about 27MPH with the twin 5.0's I have. 4000RPM she runs real nice, but I feel that is to high of an RPM to turn for any length of time, as I've heard 75% of max RPM is the cruising RPM.

What do my fellow 318 owners run at?

SW Florida Dave · **Posted:** Mon Jul 29, 2013 7:27 pm

I normally run at about 3900, which puts me at 29+. Easy cruise speed and comfortable ride, the bow attitude nice a flat.

Partycove2 · **Posted:** Mon Jul 29, 2013 7:42 pm

3400 and 27MPH SOG

firecadet613 · **Posted:** Mon Jul 29, 2013 8:37 pm

SW Florida Dave wrote:

I normally run at about 3900, which puts me at 29+. Easy cruise speed and comfortable ride, the bow attitude nice a flat.

No concerns with your engines spinning that fast for such a long time? How many hours do you have?

jsimon · **Posted:** Mon Jul 29, 2013 8:50 pm

3900-4000 which gets me around 30 mph. Personally I don't think 1-200 rpm is going to hurt the motors.

Maybe I, wrong, that's where it seems to run the best for me.

firecadet613 · **Posted:** Mon Jul 29, 2013 8:56 pm

You may be right, the boat does seem to ride better and smoother at that speed. This is my " long-term" boat... meaning at least more than two seasons!

ric · **Posted:** Mon Jul 29, 2013 9:48 pm

I'd keep it under 4k, but that's just me.

pamunkey411 · **Joined:** Mon Mar 25, 2013 6:49 pm **Posts:** 5

I like 3,500 in my 318

taz42169 · **Posted:** Wed Jul 31, 2013 5:55 am

3400-3600 RPMs is what I cruise at. On occasion, I crank her up to "blow out the carbon" but for no longer than a 30 second shot. :twisted:

jsimon · **Posted:** Wed Jul 31, 2013 7:59 am

Here is a test mercury did on an '06 318 with the 300 mpi bravo 3 setup. 4000 rpm is the sweet spot and the best fuel economy. A whopping 1.3 mph

http://www.mercurymarine.com/enginetests/boat_house_bulletin.php?ID=295&20343.031261759195

firecadet613 · **Posted:** Wed Jul 31, 2013 11:20 am

Partycove2 wrote:

3400 and 27MPH SOG

Do you have bottom paint?

Partycove2 · **Posted:** Wed Jul 31, 2013 1:54 pm

jnizi · **Posted:** Wed Jul 31, 2013 2:22 pm

That is just about my results. 3500RPM = 27mph. We are around 1.1 - 1.2 MPG.

SW Florida Dave · **Posted:** Thu Aug 01, 2013 9:15 pm

I guess each boat is a little different depending on loading, fuel and misc. I have around 290 hours knocking on wood writing this with no major issues just the normal nuisance crap.

Partycove2 · **Posted:** Sun Aug 04, 2013 8:42 am

Hard to see, but 28.3 SOG

www.iFourWinns.com

318 Cruising RPM's/Speed

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