23' inboard cruise speeds?

[TunaMeltdown]

As some of you know I became the proud owner of a 1976 23' inboard last November. After hours of custumizing and some other minor maintenance, I was finally able to get out fishing yesterday. My question is, what should I be seeing for a cruise speed/rpm? The engine is a 2006 Marine power 350-330hp. the boat yesterday seemed to like 2200-2500 rpm and we were making 19.5-23 knots? I have been told that the cruise for that engine should be a bit faster and the rpm's higher like 3200-3500rpm? Any suggestions?
Oh yeah and running it at thathose speeds and rpm's I was able to run a total of about 50-60 miles and burn about 34 gallons.

[deepsushi]

Those are some really impressive numbers. What size prop and transmission ratio are you running?

I see the same speeds with my inboard that is powered by a 454 carbed crusader running around 3200 rpms (20-22 knot cruise)and the boat seems to run well at this cruise. If I open it up to 3500 I see a solid 25 knot cruise (and a crazy fuel burn).
From all that I read it is recommended to run gas inboards around 75% of max WOT engine RPM's. Your engine is most likely an mpi / fuel injected so I believe your max RPM's is a little bit higher.

[aldo]

Deepsushi, I also have a 1976 inboard. Mine is powered by a Marine Power 350/260hp EFI. I'm turning a 16 x 15 prop with a slight cup.
3400 RPM gets me 20 -23 knots and that seems to be the sweet spot.
It tops out at 30 knots around 4300RPM.
Your numbers are pretty impressive. You may want to check your top end RPM, tach & speedo- Are those gps speeds?
Good luck with your inboard-It's a great ride.

[aldo]

OOPs- I meant to reply to Tunameltdown!
Great to hear from other inboard guys though.

[GERRY]

I just splashed my 23 savage center console inboard. pleasurecraft marine 310 hp. 3000 rpms 19/20 knots-gps
3200 rpms-23/25 knots. 4000 rpms-34knots. boat feels strong pulls right up to 4800 rpms.

[fredetzel]

Those numbers sound good I run a 350 marine power 260hp 16 x 17 prop at 3000 rpm 21 mph and at wot 3700 rpm 25 mph. My wot rpm is a little low but I am in the process of getting a 16x15 prop will post numbers when I get them.

[heynow2203]

wish I could speak for mine but a long ways away from having those numbers

[Gary Hill]

I have a 350/315HP Marine Power and @ 3100 run around 26-27 MPH by my GPS and I run 34 (68 total) miles each way to some wrecks out of Rudee Inlet, VA. Beach and burn on a good day around 31-33 Gallons.

[riprunner]

So I must have the slowest inboard ever made. In real world conditions with full tanks, ice, beer, fishing rods etc...I cruise in the 19-22 knot range at 3200-3400 depending on tide. I am swinging the recommended 16x17 wheel with a 1 to 1.51 trans and a newer MPI 350. What gives? Can my big T-Top slow me down that much? And no, the boat isn't water logged.

[aldo]

Good question - just remember some guys are posting in mph, not knots. Is that a double negative?