For those familiar with the bay area, I launched from Martinez and headed out towards Vallejo under the Carquinez Bridge, then back towards the Benicia Bridge and past Mothball Fleet into Pittsburgh. By the time I got to Pittsburgh the engine already had close to three hours of break-in and approximately 30-miles on the water.
I am currently running a Yamaha aluminum 17-pitch propeller. The [15-footer] jumps on plane instantly, and this is with 12 gallons or full-tank (although tank has sticker stating 18 gallons), my gea,r and one buddy that weighs 140-lbs. I'm at 155-lbs. The engine was able to hit 6300-RPM really fast, against the current (six-foot outgoing), and the boat hit 43.1 [assumed to be miles per hour] with very little trim. The first two full-throttle runs were 41.4 then 42.1 [again, assumed to be MPH] without trim. Since I don't have a GPS receiver and a chartplotter yet--still waiting on release of G07 XSE--the device used was a Garmin etrex 20. So maybe the data I have could be just a little off.
With just a little trim, I can feel the boat accelerate much quicker at the higher-RPM range. I backed off the throttle less than three seconds after a little trim since I am still getting used to this boat.
I think with the combination of the weight in front and the F70 this boat will probably hit 45-MPH or faster, especially if I were to run with the current. I was just looking for a propeller and engine combination that gives it a good [acceleration from a standing start at full throttle] and decent speed, and I could not be any happier with the results.
First time I've seen the boat float in person. The waterline with the F70 is below the two drains.
[NOTE: the thumbnail images below are links to much larger images--jimh]
I put a Yeti cooler in the foredeck for little more added weight, but probably didn't need to.
Spent 9 hours on the water with a little bit of sturgeon fishing.
43.1 mph on aluminum 17" prop.
Thanks to all that has helped me in this process. See you guys on the water!
Simon
