Crusing speed of a SR 4

two stroke mick · 07 March 2009, 14:59

I was reading RI and was interested by the article about the trip around scotland. I am wondering what would be a typical crusing speed for a SR 4 in open water with a 50 hp engine as per the HSM rig

TSM

I would have though 18kn would be a good average speed into a head sea with a 3 foot wave

reinier · 08 March 2009, 00:42

Depends on the quality of the seating and most of all on the driver. If you use the standard jockey seat cruising speed will be a knot or 2 higher than when you are sitting on the tube. The boat is able (in most cases) of higher speeds than the driver itself, you don't want to trash your back because of jumping around all day long in a small rib.

If you are driving alone you have to slow down a few knots when, especially when sitting on the tube in comparison to the speed you cruise with when there are 2 or 3 people on board.

Nos4r2 · 08 March 2009, 01:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by two stroke mick

I was reading RI and was interested by the article about the trip around scotland. I am wondering what would be a typical crusing speed for a SR 4 in open water with a 50 hp engine as per the HSM rig

TSM

I would have though 18kn would be a good average speed into a head sea with a 3 foot wave

Should be-I used to cruise between 20 and 30 knots in mine depending on weather.

Searider · 08 March 2009, 22:15

I like about 15-18knots in mine. Only 30hp though. 26knots max.

two stroke mick · 09 March 2009, 12:13

I was just compairing speeds on My valiant I find that 18-20 kn in a head sea is comfortable any faster and it can get a bit hairy

donegaldan · 10 March 2009, 17:51

My wee searider used to cruise at approx 23 knots flank, flat calm with 2 people in seated, side by side position on a 30 Yam 2 stroke.
Interesting thing is, i reckon she go a dam sight faster with a 50 Yam, so in about 2 weeks i will tell you what the difference is in 20 hp :-)

3 foot waves, 18 knots is a reasonable comfortable speed.

al40 · 12 March 2009, 22:23

Also depends how steep the waves are... Nice gentle 3ft swell and you can go pretty quick but if waves are steep, it can get fairly uncomfortable (and wet) if you hammer into them....

When I had my SR4 with 50 on it, top speed was 32/33 knts but I used to cruise at around 20knts. Engine was relatively quiet at that point and was about best speed for fuel economy.

As mentioned, also hugely depends on seating, age of passengers etc etc.