I puchased a '98 Hammer last year with the 7.4L MPI and was wondering what is the best cruise speed? I was thinking around 3000-3500 RPMs but would like to know what others think.

I have a 502 and I do a lot of cruising around 3200-3800 varying my rpms with longer cruises. I would say the same for you if you have the 454 Mag. Do you know if you have the 385 or 310 HP?

I had a 98 Hammer with the 310 hp (non-mag) 454 and I want to say about 3200 rpms is where I spent a lot of time.

Of course the most fun cruising speeds were more in the 4800 rpm range!

Thanks for the info! Unfortunately I have the 310 HP 454. I am going down to KY Lake and Lake Barkley and plan to do alot of cruising.

I agree...I have a 97 Hammer....454Mag. I think around 3200-3800 is a good cruising speed. Running fast is nice, but I also like to kick back and just cruise a little too.

What top speed (with what prop) are you getting with that 454 Mag?

Sin

Actually I need to see. Keep in mind this is with the wife in the boat that usually likes to cruise. I need to make a good run with just me in it to really see. Anyway, with her in it....the times I have hit it I've seen like 77-78 on the speedo but as we all know that off and I don't have a GPS. This is with a Mirage 23 pitch.

I've got a 212 Islander coming in the next three weeks with the 496 MAG H.O. (425HP) motor. That's the same hull as the Hammer so it'll be interesting if it's any faster than the 454 MAG is.

Sin

Man, that is gonna be one sweet boat. No doubt it'll be faster then a 454 mag. I didn't know you could order one with a 496 in it....thats awesome. I bet your ready for it to hurry up and get here so you can test her out

I'm kinda wondering what prop thay will send this thing out from the factory with? Does Baja usually do a decent job of putting the right prop on from the factory?

Sin