T&T: Not Again!

[Faure, Marin]

>BUT, it has the Cat 3116 of 300hp, far more than the hull needs at hull
speed or even at a tide/current beating 12 knots. So, will it hurt it to
run it at say 1,400 rpm and 8 knots???

The majority of the answers from people who seemed to know about this
issue was that, particularly with a non-turbo diesel, running it at
slower speeds will not hurt anything as long as the engine gets up into
its proper operating temperature range.  These same people also seemed
to feel that running a higher-powered engine at its higher, "normal"
cruise rpm for short periods--- say ten minutes or so--- every so often
would help clean out any deposits that might start to form.  A friend
with a 420 hp Cat in a 36' lobsterboat does exactly what you are
contemplating.  His engine is a turbo so he needs to be mindful of the
temperature.  But with fuel prices what they are, he now cruises his
boat at a bit over 8 knots, and then he runs it at its "normal" 15 knots
or so for the last ten minutes of every cruise leg.  So far, so good.

______________________________
C. Marin Faure
GB36-403 "La Perouse"
Bellingham, Washington