Carver Owners Forum

Quick question.... what should be the normal cruising RPM's/knots on a 1995 355 with 454's?

This varies from hull to hull. 454's generally have a WOT RPM around 4600. There are some manufacturers that say about 600 RPM below that is optimal performance, but I am not a subscriber to that. I used to run my 454's at 34 to 3600 RPM, on an express style boat, that would run 29 to 30 mph. 32 to 34 in flat water. Those were outdrives. You probably have v-drives, so my estimate would be 25 to 28 mph in that rpm range. Best thing is test your vessel and log your performance. er

I think those are straight shafts in the 355/356, and that weighs a little more than an express. I think that boat would top out around 28-30 and probably cruise in the 22-24 at the 3400-3600RPM.

Just took a peek in the PowerBoat Guide book and it says for the 350 (which was superceded by the 355) that "Crusader 330hp gas engines cruise at 16–17 knots." So that'd be an 18-20MPH cruise, which I think is a little low. I think that book is a bit conservative with it's speed ratings though, because it rated my old boat at 16-17 kts and I could easily do a 22 MPH cruise and top out at 28.

Ok, I used to have a 3807 with 454’s. I now have a 356 with 496’s.
Big question, are those 454’s carborated or fuel injected? If carborated, you definitely want to keep the secondaries from opening as they will suck down a lot of fuel.
Assuming your engines will top out in the 4500 range, my suggestion based on my experience with both boats…run your engines in the 32-3300range which will probably give you a decent speed in the 18-19 mph range. The boat will probably top out around 30 mph.
I run my 356 around 3100 which gives me a speed of 20-21 mph. I top out at 35 mph.

My 1998 has merc horizons. It likes to cruise at 3200 to 3400 rpm, about 24-26 mph depending on wind and tides of course. I have had it up to about 31mph at about 4200 rpms, it was not quite topped out, but i don't like to push it too hard. I am sure it would hit 32-35 mph in ideal conditions, if you can afford the fuel burn.
Also, it doesn't seem to matter how much weight or how many people on the boat, it runs the same.

tomschauer wrote:Source of the post My 1998 has merc horizons. It likes to cruise at 3200 to 3400 rpm, about 24-26 mph depending on wind and tides of course. I have had it up to about 31mph at about 4200 rpms, it was not quite topped out, but i don't like to push it too hard. I am sure it would hit 32-35 mph in ideal conditions, if you can afford the fuel burn.
Also, it doesn't seem to matter how much weight or how many people on the boat, it runs the same.

Tom, what size/HP are those horizons? Your numbers are close to my 8.1, 385 HP.

454's.
Paperwork from the dealer found on the boat says they are mercury Bluewater horizon magnums. 390hp, 490 lbs torque.
Not sure if they are, or just regular 7.4 mpfi engines.