airspeed w/8.50's

[sircho]

Hello all,

Great forum here, It's great to find like minded folks.

I'm looking at a bc-12 85hp with 8.50s on it. The fella said it is cruising about 85mph w/ climb prop.

Does this sound normal? I was thinking that with 85hp it would cruise a bit faster, even with the big tires. What sort of cruise speeds are you guys seeing with 85hp t-crafts?

thanks,
chris

[AndyDuke]

Chris,

Sounds OK to me, remember its the prop that is important, the climb prop will get you off the ground faster but give a lower cruise speed for the same rpm. If I remember correctly my 85hp ship has a 71x43 prop on it which give 95 mph at 2300 rpm and a top speed of about 110 mph at 2575 rpm. I guess my prop is pitched between a climb prop and a cruise prop so gives a good compramise.

If the prop is metal, you could always get it repitched for better cruise performance.