444 Performance Questions

[Bgaskill1]

I’m having a pre-purchase marine and engine survey done on a 2006 444 CPMY next week. Does anyone have performance information on this vessel with the Volvo D-6 370 Diesel engines? I’m interested in:


(MPH, RPM & GPH)
Hull Speed:
Best Cruise:
WOT:


Also, anything specific I should look for during the survey (or general opinions of this boat) specific to this model and power plant?

Thanks in advance!

[Dejay]

I know this is an old post, but I have questions along the same line. I hope you don't mind me adding to it, as it is a question many have.

Many owners seem to mention 25 knots @ WOT using trim tabs and emptying rear tanks first with the TAMD63P.
I could not get close to that with the same engines. It will require some investigations, such as prop size, fuel injectors, and whether the trim tabs are working correctly.

We had 4 crew, 6hp outboard in the rear locker, full fuel and water depending on the time of day. 4 bags of tools.

Hull cleaned 3 days before this trip.

Water separators are swapped out every day.
Fuel filters were swapped 3 days into the trip with no performance gains.

Some figures from trip.
@ 2400 rpm We sat on 16 knots
WOT @2950 19.7 knots

@ 16 knots, Average fuel consumption over 175NM was 7.30 litres per NM (or 1.92846 gallons)
@ 8 knots, Average fuel consumption over 44NM was 2.27 litres per NM (or 0.5996706 gallons)

So basically, 3.2 times cheaper @ or under 8 knots.

Can anyone with Tamd63p engines in the Carver 444 clarify what the top speed should be under normal conditions?

[bud37]

Source of the post So basically, 3.2 times cheaper @ or under 8 knots.

Sorry I don't have a boat with these engines just some general knowledge.

Welcome to the forum.....that is exactly what I would expect to see in reality, you are not pushing water at that point (digging a hole) but perhaps at 16 you were barely on step therefore using way more fuel.

One question though , did one engine use more fuel than the other consistently, any smoke etc.

[Dejay]

Hi Bud37
The engine Sync is faulty, as I believe is a common issue, so it was left off.
The Port engine Taco does not work, but engine sound-wise, I think they are close in RPM
Will be swapping out the digital for some analog tacos soon.
Fuel-wise, within an 8th of a tank or less from full to empty. I often noticed, if I wasn't at the helm, the crew didn't always set the throttle's level. So some days level, other days slightly out.
The boat doesn't have fuel consumption sensors, so not sure what the real fuel burns is.

Very little smoke, Sooty in color. Pretty standard amount for a diesel. Also, some steam in the exhaust at 2400 RPM.
After the trip up. She seems to be blowing a little more at the dock blue grey smoke on start-up and idle.
Will take her for a run soon to see if it cleans out.

[bud37]

Source of the post Very little smoke, Sooty in color. Pretty standard amount for a diesel. Also, some steam in the exhaust at 2400 RPM.
After the trip up. She seems to be blowing a little more at the dock blue grey smoke on start-up and idle.
Will take her for a run soon to see if it cleans out.

Could be if the engines aren't synced well then one engine could be be dragging the other along causing uneven excessive fuel usage. It will make running efficiently a bit easier when you get all the monitoring gages working as designed.

Considering the steam, most times can be just the water temps etc but to be sure....try to check the exhaust hose temps with an IR temp gun on your next run if you can, to make sure you are getting the proper cooling inside the hoses. The gun will come in handy for many checks underway later anyhow. The bluish smoke may possibly be oil related IMO. Do you have any excessive engine oil usage? Aftercoolers and Air intakes clean and unrestricted? Engine hours ?

Good luck with your new boat....

[Dejay]

after 700 nm, 1.5 liters per engine or (1.58503 quart)

The boat wasn't used a lot, which I know is not the best thing. Only 750 hours per engine.

Did a WOT this morning with no load. Went to 3040 RPM on the engine with the working Tacho.
Next time out, we will swap the Tachos around and trouble shoot those.

Will be doing a full service soon with new oil and filters.

Thanks for your advice bud37. Appreciate it,