This past weekend I sailed in a long distance race which had little to no wind. ALL boats in my class dropped their sails and motored to port because no one could make it in the time limit. I was left in the dust! I have an 18hp diesel motor that my top speed was 4.5 kts. Is this the best my boat can do? Is there something I can do to make it go faster? Thanks for any response.
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I'll assume that there were no seas due to to no wind. If your LWL is 25' then your hull speed is about 6.7kts. If your engine is working properly (giving you rated RPM's), then the only thing else is the prop and bottom condition. A simple two week slime on the bottom will cost you up to one knot of boat speed. All growth on the prop will affect its efficiency. My best guess is it has been at least two or more weeks since you cleaned your bottom. We NEVER go racing without giving the bottom a final clean no longer than the day before.
6 kts
I have a 2001 290 same boat as your 306 you should be able to do at least 6 kts unless your prop and bottom needs cleaning. In the spring with clean prop and bottom plus clean mixing elbo I can get 6.5 with no problem at 2800 rpm's a little less this time of season but not much less. What rpm's are you running at,check prop and mixing elbo and when did you change fuel filters.
I have a 2001 290 same boat as your 306 you should be able to do at least 6 kts unless your prop and bottom needs cleaning. In the spring with clean prop and bottom plus clean mixing elbo I can get 6.5 with no problem at 2800 rpm's a little less this time of season but not much less. What rpm's are you running at,check prop and mixing elbo and when did you change fuel filters.
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