"Bob La Londe" wrote in message SNIP

Thanks Steve. In one of the forums I read somebody was saying something
about it running 85+ with a 300 HPDI. Now I know that's not the same as a
Oti Pro XS, but still it sounded like they were being conservative to me
from what I remembered about your comments in the past.


I might have seen the same forum. It sounded a tad low to me as well, but I
did ride in a Yamaha powered FastCat when I was down in Miami. I realize
that this motor was brand new and the computer probably wasn't letting the
motor turn loose, but it sure didn't seem to run like the Merc powered Cats.
I think some of it has to do with Yamaha's lower unit design. A lot will
depend upon the prop that's on the motor as well.

A 300 powered Cat should easily be running in the 90 mph+ range, and this
one probably could providing the driver knew what he was doing.

In order to hit 86.4 mph, I had to experiment not only with my trim
settings, but with the jackplate height as well.

Plus, if he lives down south, he's probably not getting all 300 hp out of
the motor. Hot, humid air isn't what these high performance motors like. I
noticed that on days when it was really hot and humid, I couldn't get the
speed out of my boat that I could when it was cooler and dryer.

Then too, you have to have the right water conditions as well. Most people
love to run fast on days when the lake is nice and calm. That's the worst
condition to try for max. speed. Flat water puts too much drag on the hull,
whereas if you have a nice 12" chop, the boat will be skipping on the wave
tips and you only have air under the hull, hence little drag/friction from
the water.

But you knew most of this....
--
Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers
http://www.outdoorfrontiers.com
G & S Guide Service and Custom Rods
http://www.herefishyfishy.com