[PCW] PDQ 34 Review in Powerboat Reports - 2nd try

[HClews@aol.com]

I'm trying this  post again.  I hate to be a Snob Dog !   Sorry...
A generally  positive review of the PDQ 34 appears in this month's
(March 07) Powerboat Reports.  Features they liked included the
large amount of light, airy space, smooth ride and exceptional economy.
In their list of Pros & Cons, the pros  were: ease of topside movement,
non-skid  surfaces, all-around safety and hand railings, large windows,
bright interior,  wide & deep stairs with hand rails, good dinghy davits,
and molded-in  boarding stairs with rails - also top-notch workmanship.
Cons were: short  wiper blades, bow rail flexes under load, spray rails
not very  effective, windshield mullions too wide, poor tank access,
fly-bridge 30-in  rail not tall enough and escape hatches in aft cabins too
small.  On that final point, I can only assume  the reviewer was larger
than me as I've  gone in and out of those aft hatches on several occasions
with no  problem.  I have no doubt that in a  real emergency I could easily
exit through one  of these hatches.  But I suppose we  have to allow for the
fact that  Americans are getting bigger every day!
One of the best  features of the Powerboat Reports review is their inclusion
of performance  data - the first I've seen for the 100-hp model.  They show
a 3000 RPM  cruise speed of 18 mph (15.6 kt) with fuel consumption of
6 gal/hr which  yields a mileage of 3 mi/gal and a range (assuming 90%
fuel capacity)  of 426 miles.
Although we've  never recorded an average consumption above 4.6 gal/hr,
I believe steady  running at 15+ knots probably does consume about
6 gal/hr.  In fact, this is exactly the figure I  posted on our web site last

summer.  (Our performance page showing our  figures to date can be seen
at:  geocities.com/snodoglog/Performance.html )
Itbs good to see  Powerboat Reports take on the PDQ 34 b and even better
to see such a  positive review.
Henry  Clews
PDQ 34 Snob  Dog
www.geocities.com/snodoglog



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