[DONKOV]

I'm considering purchasing a 1999 Carver 450 Voyager with Cummins 450s. I am told that it is currently only running a top speed of 26 mph. Assuming that all components are factory original spec is this the top speed of this boat? Read a review that claimed it should be around 29 mph. Besides props and bottom condition any ideas as to a cause for such a drop in performance?

[Gringo]

According to my factory sales guide the top speed is 29mph@2750 RPM burning 42 GPH cruise is 24.6 MPH @ 2400 RPM 34 GPH, expect the actual real life performance to be a little less than that, the factory usually publishes the best case scenario.

If the bottom has the slightest bit of growth on it or if the props are the least bit out of alignment it could easily drop the performance down below 26mph. I would expect real life performance to be around the 26 -27mph, when comparing the performance of a boat on a seatrial to the factory specs, you need to account for current, wind, how the props are tuned, and what the bottoms condition is as well as where your trim tabs are positioned.

[DONKOV]

Your performance info is right on the mark. Seatrialed the boat in 2-3 footers and with a handheld GPS we were running from 27 to 28 mph at 2750 rpm. The tridata read 24 mph but once we hauled the boat found the speed wheel pretty corroded and tight but the bottom was clean. The original owner claimed 28 mph at WOT, seemed to be a pretty straight guy. After sealing the deal I had the props pulled and scanned. Interestingly enough the props had been repitch before delivery to the original owner (he never pulled the props). The Carver data stated they were 28x33 with a slight cup. The props scanned out at 34 pitch and had no cup. Wasn't done to ISO class I standards though, once they are I might see a hair more out of her. Can only spectulate that this first year model run boat was delivered and the engine rpms were just too high and the dealer had pitch added. Thanks for your input.