I own a 1970 35 Express very similar to Pelican. In fact I contacted the broker for Pelican while I was researching prices. My boat has mismatched engines (502 port, 496 starboard). I find that at 3000 rpm it settles in about 20 knots. In fact the formula RPM/100 minus 10 yields pretty accurate speeds (ie 15 knots at 2500, 18 knots at 2800, and so on). At WOT the 496 stops at about 3800 rpm indicating that its overprop'd. It should go to about 4600 at WOT and max continuous cruise at 3800. The 502 still has alot to give, but the boat starts to list and I have to put in alot of rudder to counter the yaw so I've never gotten to WOT on it. The previous owner swore he saw 39.7 knots on the gps once.

It's a tank, but really smooth and comfortable in the bigger swells.