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1999 450 voyager speed

Discussion in 'Carver Yacht' started by Monepit, May 22, 2014.

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  1. Monepit

    Monepit Member

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    Evansville, in
    I have a 1999 450 voyager. Flawless condition, low hours new bottom job no problems. The top speed is 20 mph. I've had it over a year and it has never got over 20. Engines are 450 cummins. I have talked to other owners and the factory. They claim speeds of 27 to 30. I can't get close. The engines are reaching their rated speed of 2650 at wot. This was the first 450 voyager built. Carver said the test was done with this boat. 29 mph when tested. The only thing left I can think of is the trim tabs have never worked. I can't imaging the tabs could make much of a difference as I've never used them on any other boat I've had but I don't know. Any thoughts would be appreciated. If there are any other 450 owners out there what is your top speed and do the tabs make a difference?
  2. rcoff512

    rcoff512 Member

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    Voyager speed

    Monepit,

    My 99 Voyager is hull 003. While working with a local prop guy my top speed is 22 knots (25.31 MPH) at 2690 rpm on my Cummins 450's. I have found on mine that the tabs work well at cruise (2350 rpm 18.5 knots 20.5 mph) but top speed is greater with them retracted fully. These speeds were with full fuel (554 gallons, about 4000 lbs) and water (200 gallons 1600 lbs) plus lots of live aboard stuff on board and clean bottom.

    I have found that the Voyager has lots of wind resistance with the bridge enclosure in place and can pick up some speed (efficiency) with just front and rear sections rolled up. Mine weighs in at just under 50k lbs in the lift as tested also.

    Hope this helps. It is by no means a rocket but we love our Carver YACHT.

    Rich
  3. Monepit

    Monepit Member

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    Do you know what size props you have?
  4. hopper5

    hopper5 Member

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    FYI I have a 1994 440 with the smaller Cat 3116E engines (300hp) and max speed seems to be about 17 knots.....she is very heavy due to a previous owners remodel ......Several boat owners on this forum have said they get much higher speeds than I do with a similar boat........I can't imagine seeing 25 knots .......so I realize we have different boats but there does seem to be quite a variance in claimed top speed.......just a thought !!
  5. rcoff512

    rcoff512 Member

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    Voyager Speed

    Monepit,

    My props are 28X24.5---3 blade with cup.

    Rich
  6. Monepit

    Monepit Member

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    Wow. I have 28x30. Mine has 266 to 1 reduction in the trans. Do you know what yours has?
  7. rcoff512

    rcoff512 Member

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    Voyager Speed

    Monepit,

    My trans is 2 to 1.
  8. Monepit

    Monepit Member

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    I wonders if that's my problem. I'd like to know what reduction other 450 s have
  9. sam356

    sam356 Member

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    Great Oaks Fairlee Creek MD
    When you say low hours what is it? A diesel engine needs to be run not just sit at a dock start engine or cruise around for hour at 1800 rpm. Your boat is 15 years old it should have a least 1500 hrs on it. I would get a good diesel mechanic take him out and run the boat for couple of hours. You should cruise around 2400 rpm at 22 knots with your 450 cummins.
  10. Monepit

    Monepit Member

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    The engines have 900 hours. I've had it a year and a half. Never had to put a quart of oil in it. Doesn't smoke. I ran it 660 miles to bring it home. About 150 hours last year. I would love to cruise at 22 mph. At 2400 it will do about18 mph. Just seems rather slow from all I've read.
  11. sam356

    sam356 Member

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  12. K1W1

    K1W1 Senior Member

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    Hi,

    Get a digital tacho gun and run at 1000 rpm, check the shaft speed.

    Divide 1000 by what you measure and you will have your speed:1

    You should also use it to ensure the engine is at a known rpm as well so your result will be accurate.

    Best done in calm weather too
  13. Monepit

    Monepit Member

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    I believe I've finally figured it out. I found a identical 450 on the hard at a marina I had breakfast at. Mine has 450 cummins, 2.46 gears, and 28 x 30 props. Does 20 at WOT. The other has all the same but 28 x 33 props. He said it does 28 to 29. I believe mine is just under propped. Now the problem. Finding some 28 x 33 props for under 8 grand a set.
  14. rcoff512

    rcoff512 Member

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    Location:
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    Cummins 450 speed

    Monepit,

    Careful with the proper change. As per Tony Athens (Cummins expert at Seaboard Marine) the engines should run up to 2700 wot for longevity. If you are reaching just 2650 at wot you are propped near correct. Start with wot in neutral to check ability to reach governor max and verify all linkages go full travel. If so, check elsewhere before you throw money at the props, they just might be right.

    Rich