1982 Carver 30' Aft Cabin

most engines are cammed to run to a max 4600 RPM, so 3400 should be a good spot for you to run at. some older ones top out at 4400, but still okay with 3400. Most engine manufacturers (today) recommend 70 to 80% of WOT as cruising rpm.
 
quote:
Originally posted by DogDaze

Is this the same Greg, who was/is also a Regal owner?? (She Said Yes?)

FYI - RamSport is a true Carver professional - as I believe he works for one of the largest Carver dealers on the great lakes.. so I'd trust his advise that he's offered above.

I'll need to see if I can view your pics from at home.. can't see them from the office.
Good luck with the new boat.

Tis me, although we never formerly named the Regal "She Said Yes." However, the Carver is named that. In fact, my bosum mate bought me a matching hat. ;>

No pictures to post yet.

-Greg

Regards,

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quote:
Originally posted by RamSport47

most engines are cammed to run to a max 4600 RPM, so 3400 should be a good spot for you to run at. some older ones top out at 4400, but still okay with 3400. Most engine manufacturers (today) recommend 70 to 80% of WOT as cruising rpm.

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Thank you Ram. I'll give it a 3400 a whirl later this month. Another question...if I chose to go helm/trawler speed (little to no wake) at 7-8 mph, would my mpg double, triple??? Any estimation?

-Greg
 
I've used my 3007 quite often in that fashion this year because the trips have been a mile or two up the coast to the dunes and great swimming. Seems like a 1/2 tank (both) has lasted me most of the summer. Can't give exact gph, just that I haven't fueled as much as I have in previous seasons by taking 5-10 mile trips at 3200 rpms. Besides, the other benefit is you can really enjoy the scenery!
 
Greg,
I don't think it would double or triple it, but it would be better. There used to be a publication that published consumption on it's tests of boats, and they always seemed to get the best MPG at 3200 to 3400 rpm. Remember that, even though you are using more fuel, you are covering more miles, more quickly as well, so your MPG goes up. Your GPH may take a dive, but the MPG will be higher
 
quote:
Originally posted by RamSport47

Greg,
I don't think it would double or triple it, but it would be better. There used to be a publication that published consumption on it's tests of boats, and they always seemed to get the best MPG at 3200 to 3400 rpm. Remember that, even though you are using more fuel, you are covering more miles, more quickly as well, so your MPG goes up. Your GPH may take a dive, but the MPG will be higher

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Trawler speed or cruising speed wasn't always a dilemma with me. Prior boats were were single engines, 25 foot or less, and thus got 2.5 to 4 mpg. I'd go 25-30 mph without thinking twice.

This Carver is a different story. Gas at Friday Harbor was $3.30 a gallon and consequently my 80 miles cruise cost me nearly $400. If I could save $100 by going slower, then it would be worth it to me, even though the boat handles better at cruise. (she tends to wallow at helm speed).

-Greg
 
Hi Greg,

Once again, congradulations on the new/additional boat purchase... you're in good hands with RamSport... after all, he is AKA "Mr. Carver" to his friends.. :)
 
At today's gas prices, running the boat slower will definitely save you money. It might drive you out of your mind, though, if you're used to going fast...

Or do what we did the last 2 weeks - sat on the hook, swam, fished and rode bikes. One good thing about Carvers - they're great floating condos!!!
 
quote:
Originally posted by PBardunias

At today's gas prices, running the boat slower will definitely save you money. It might drive you out of your mind, though, if you're used to going fast...

Or do what we did the last 2 weeks - sat on the hook, swam, fished and rode bikes. One good thing about Carvers - they're great floating condos!!!

Click to expand...


That's a good plan. For the winter, we're moving it to a marina 17 miles from Seattle, just across the main drink. We will be taking it slow, to and fro, unless weather or schedule dictates otherwise. Fortunately, we have another boat on the Columbia River which will serve our need for speed.

-Greg
 
Got a bit of a mystery on my hands. My Carver 3007 has twin 220 hp (I think) Crusaders. Normally, she tops out at 25 mph, roughly 4400 rpms. Cruising is 17 mph at 32-3200 rpms, until this weekend. Full throttle was 3400 rpms.

Funny thing is that she's running perfectly. No misses, temp and oil pressure is good. Doesn't leak any oil. Idles beautifully at 700 rpm. No sign of worn engines. Six months ago, she was surveyed and compression was above normal for engines with 1200 hours. Also, she has a new Mercruiser exhaust system.

Someone suggested fuel filters but wouldn't you be gagging at high rpms?

Could it be throttle linkage. At nuetral, the engines will throttle up to 5000 rpms. Put it in gear and different story. It's as though it has a governor on it.

Any ideas?

-Greg
 
Greg,

I'm experiencing the identical scenario with my 3007. Same engines (220 Crusaders) although rebuilt with 300 hrs.

I can achieve approximately 4800 RPM in neutral and about 3200 RPM in gear.

I haven't had time to check in to why this is occurying and would appreciate any input as well.

Regards... Ken
 
I had same thing happen with my 3007 (81 with 228's). 3200rpms MAX with lots of throttle left. Found that the plugs on the far ends of the block were fouled badly. Ran great out of gear & idling up the river, but wouldn't push passed 3200. Chnged the plugs, and the problem went away. Now I change them every year, especially since I have to idle almost a 1/2 hour just to get to open water.
 
quote:
Originally posted by propeller55

I had same thing happen with my 3007 (81 with 228's). 3200rpms MAX with lots of throttle left. Found that the plugs on the far ends of the block were fouled badly. Ran great out of gear & idling up the river, but wouldn't push passed 3200. Chnged the plugs, and the problem went away. Now I change them every year, especially since I have to idle almost a 1/2 hour just to get to open water.

Click to expand...


I hope my problem is that simple! Didn't it miss badly at 3200?

-Greg
 
Not that it was noticeable. Once I changed the plugs, I then saw that it was more sluggish prior to that. It's just that I was running the V8 on 6 cylinders. Like I say...it solved MY situation. Having carbs and idling so such a long time led to the fouling. I'm also going to install electronic ignition next spring. I find that when the boat sits for a week, I have to pump the throttles quite often when starting. This may add to the fouling problem. Previous boat I owned, I had the EI installed and was amazed at the ease of starting...just one 'pump' and it fired up. Something to consider. Pertronics makes the system for a Carver. About $100 per engine.
 
My situation is that I'm getting 3200 to 3400 with no throttle left.

Prop....EI is only $100 per engine....wow that's cheap! What about the labor for a mechanic...couple of hours? Any downside to EI?

-Greg
 
Basically a DIY project. Doesn't take much to make the change. Last time I check with a tech, labor was about $150 per engine. Downside of EI? Everything I've read is on the PLUS side...excellent firing through all rpm ranges. Don't have any other suggestions on your situation. Perhaps goe to the 'engines' thread.
 
I put them in my Merc 3.7LX's 7 years ago...one of the best upgrades I made. Took me about 45 min per distributor, and when it's tune up time, you still use the standard cap, rotor, and plugs
 
I am in the middle of putting the Pertronix systems in my boat (albeit with Ford engines and Prestolite distributors, but its the same process)...

I am going slowly, because as I work on the boat I find new problems (remember I bought this thing last year knowing that the engines were going to be a basket case and need attention). I was having the same trouble as you, Greg - only topping out at a mid-range RPM. So I started with the distributors and plugs and all that. One thing I noticed - my advance weights in the dists were sticking badly. When I had set the timing it was done with the weights stuck about midway through their advance!!!

The Prestolite distributors on my boat use an advance weight design that was last used on Ford passenger cars in the early 1960s. (!!!) And of course the Pleasurecraft Marine owners manual has nothing of interest on these engines, and I didn't know where to find a Pleasurecraft Shop manual. Fortunately I have one of my handy dandy illustrated Ford books for passenger car V8s dating back to the old 221. In it were illustrations of the old style distributor, so I was able to get the thing apart and clean it up nice. It moves nicely now, I push on it with my hand and it springs back when I let go, just like its supposed to. When I set the timing, it was 30 degrees off!!!

I'm taking the boat out again this Saturday, and fully expect it to perform a lot better. Then I can mess with the other engine and do the same thing...

BTW on my Glastron I was having a terrible plug fouling problem, which was also resulting in a loss of top RPM. Old Ford engines have valve guide troubles and leak oil into the cylinders, fouling the plugs a lot. The old Autolite 124s were not doing the trick. A switch to NGK AR6FS made a huge difference. This problem was much more noticeable, though, since the engine ran roughly and it was clear not all cylinders were firing. In the case of my Carver, as with Greg's, the engines sound good until they are run under load and you attempt to run at cruising speed...
 
I did the Pertronix EI conversions on my Crusader 270's and it was the best thing I ever did. $89 per motor and I took about one half hour per motor to install. I picked up RPM's, 5mph, and better fuel usage. Only downside to EI is when they go bad, they usually die unlike points which tend to fade. For the above lack of RPM issues, how dirty is the bottom of your boat?
 
Well y'all are selling me on EI. 32Carv....the bottom was cleaned off six months ago during the haulout/survey. BP was needed but not critical. My boat was chartered this summer and dive inspected each time. The diver commented that the BP could wait until spring.

The throttle is all out and yet she goes only 3400 rpms. It's as though there are governors on each engine. Even if the bottom were fouled, it would engines would still go 4400. She would require more throttle to plane out....correct?

I'll know in a couple of weeks when the mechanic pays it a visit. I'm not a DIY guy...unfortunately.

-Greg
 
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