R6 Surf vs Sterndrive - Engine Choices

[BobRae99]

It's hard to know. But that is what the prop charts say. I've gone as far as I can with the dealer - I think I'll have to speak directly to Cobalt. A 6.4 second time to plane would be a huge difference from my R3. I like the zippy performance of the R3 and while I expect to lose a bit going to a larger and heavier boat, I think 6.4 seconds to plane is a bit pokey.

[dsthomas]

I was asking a friend of mine who happens to be an engineer if this was possible all things being equal except longer and heavier for the time to plane to favor the heavier boat... he said it was possible depending on the design of the hull and where the water would create a lever point such that the longer hull could act like a lever with the force of the water pushing against the hull he said the leaver point would have to be the same distance from the aft on both boats. He said a bunch of other stuff I don't remember as well :0). Basically the longer hull creates more upward force past the lever point thus helping the boat to plane faster, the question would be if two feet is enough to overcome 600 lbs which is the difference, he speculated that it was possible, but then joked it could be a misprint as well. Be interesting to see what cobalt says. My quickest boat was my 242 and each boat I've upgraded to has gotten heavier and slower. Not really something that's bothered me, but it will be interesting to hear the explanation from Cobalt.

[lespaulrob]

I should really jump in here more often and check for replies. lol

Yeah, that's WAY off on the time to plane. It's usually in about 4 seconds. I'd say it's closer to 6 with like 12 people AND full ballasts though but that's so rare of a situation for me and it's pushing over 10,000 pounds through the water. It legit jumps out of the water though in regular riding situations. In terms of 48.5mph, that's really really dang close. I've had mine to right at 49mph with a quarter tank of gas and just me on the boat with glass water conditions. It's not going to win a race against the big boy Cigarettes with 4+ engines, but for me, I usually cruise around 28-32mph all day long and it's comfy and when I need the speed, it's there.

Hi Les, Thanks for the detailed review. Last questions (if I may) has to do with time to plane and top speed (all part of having my cake and eating it too). The prop chart for R6S with a VP 380 is showing 48.5 mph. Does that seem right? The time to plane is baffling though. The chart says 6.4 seconds. That seems agonizingly slow and is 1.1 seconds slower than an R8S with the same engine, prop and final drive (2.32). It doesn't make much sense to me because the R8S is a heavier boat, although the longer hull might help getting on plane?? Any thoughts on how zippy (or not) your R6S is getting out of the water? I don't recall what boat you moved up from but how does it's time to plane feel in comparison?