So first time out...not the speed I hoped for from the Benny

[fiddlebick]

Tried out my '05 Benny yesterday on the Ohio river and the best it would do was about 24-25 mph on GPS...thats with me, the wife, and a buddy onboard and one large cooler, loaded. No problems with the 135 Honda, burning 87 octane. The highback captains chairs on front add some weight to this 25 footer, but was hoping for a little better than that. I have a 15 pitch prop, and I could kick myself for not writing down the rpms at wot, but I will next time. I don't need a lot of speed, but I will have several grandkids with us from time to time, and I want to provide the best tubing experience I can for them. This was my first trip out on it, and I was pleased overall.

[rbiederwolf]

How big is your boat? AT WOT on my 22ft with a 115 I could get 25-26mph in perfect conditions (before I added center tube and strakes

When I initially got the boat (used) it was propped completely wrong. Could not get near the proper rpm's at WOT. Once I corrected this I got a couple more mph.

Thus I would think that you should be getting 27-28mph at WOT

Good luck and keep us posted

[Bamaman]

You should pull them fine on tubes. When going into a tight turn, the tube will double the speed of the boat. You should have enough speed to scare the kids.

What's really limiting your speed is your two toons. I also doubt your underside is "skinned." If you could have a set of lifting strakes and a Wave Shield installed, the boat would be much more seaworthy and substantially faster with the nosecones out of the water.

[fiddlebick]

No, Its not underskinned yet, but i plan that for the off season....heh heh I work in an aluminum rolling mill, and I can do an employee purchase of any size and quality of the in house scrap sheeeting at scrap prices.

[schmeg]

Bamaman is spot on. If that Benni is an "R" and its 22-24 ft. your speed is about right. A 115 is no powerhouse on a 'toon. I know, I got one. Kneeboarding goes real good behind a 'toon. 20mph is all you need. Watersports really needs at least a 150 (or more) and 3 tubes.

[fiddlebick]

Well, its a 25' with a 135....

[Cycleman07]

If it helps, my two toon south bay with underskin and a 150 mercury 4stroke hit 32 on the GPS with 4 adults, 4 kids and 2 full ice chests and a full tank of gas.

[Redneck_Randy]

I run 35 on GPS with a Honda 150 and two logs. Just the wife and me. It's a 23 footer.

[fiddlebick]

Based on what you guys are telling about your speeds, I should get at least close to 30 mph with the 135 Honda on a 25 ft boat with 2 toons, even without the underskin? I can't wait to get out again this weekend and record some speeds vs rpm stats.

[crspang]

30mph, not necessarily. There are many variables concerning displacement hulls. 24-25 with the load you described sounds about right. The power to weight and water resistance ratio increases exponentially the faster you go. If you we're to double the horse power you would go twice as fast right? No. With 270hp you might see 35-40mph. Without getting on plane the toons are pushing a wall of water.