292 won't run 70-72 mph
 

I recently bought a used 2007 292 Fastech with only 110 hrs. The boat was surveyed with no issues , runs great! The boat has 6.2s with factory 28 mercury props and 1:65-1 drives. Pretty much your basic 292 set-up. At 5,000-5,100 rpm, light load of 2 people and less than half a tank fuel, and very little trim, I can only make 68 mph, and lose speed if I trim much more..........Any ideas why I can't achieve the factory stated 70-72 mph?? A boating friend recommended premium fuel, 93 octane. The factory recommends simple 87 octane.I tryed premium, and couldn't make 5,000 rpm without full trim...Looks like a waist of $.

Also, the factory trim tabs aren't worth the weight on the transom..........way to small to make much difference at speed in 2-4 footers. I know I've read of fellow OSO members broomin' the cheap Bennet tabs for after market. Can anybody direct me to those threads........thanks....dave

is this gps speed?

I think 68mph hour when factory says 70-72 is within the margin of error imho. better water with a little chop, colder air, fatter air, all variables that would give another 2mph.

absolutely!! My GPS, my buddies phone GPS and the Formula speedometer, which is a GPS all read the same.

sounds about right to me .. add some chop in that water and you may see a lil more .. not a very fast hull..

That about right,if you had 5 gallons of fuel and one person you might see what the factory states.You should be seeing 70 at about 5200 though.You say very little trim do you know how to trim a stepped hull,They like to run at neutral trim with very little tab.I'm leaving for a run soon will be back Sunday night if you have any questions.

I have seen 70-71 on GPS.....but that was with almost NO fuel, a little chop to help, and it trimmed out really far. I think these boats are honestly putting out +/- 68mph.....with either the 6.2's or 350 Mags.

Some people on here boast they have seen/ or do see 73-74but I strongly feel that's BS. These just aren't fast boats....too bad Formula/Mercury stopped making the 383 stroker engine!!!

383 Strokers are still made. My buddy just replaced his motor that he swapped out in his 23 baja, second one. Had his new one in about a week or so. We'll see if this one holds up.

I've seen 68.4 in my 292 with 350's on the GPS. Two people, half tank fuel and no water in light chop. That was just to see what she could do.

Honestly, I rarely take it over 4K. No need. I cruise at 3200-3500 at 35-40mph depending on conditions. IMO it's got great mid-range power. Gets from 30 to 60 pretty quickly but lacks top end. Don't know anyone who drives hammers down all the time so don't see a reason to cry over 2-4 mph. Still a solid boat.

Agree K-planes whould have been better, but I was out last Monday on Barnaget Bay in 2-4 chop with just a little negative tab kept the rear in the water right where it should be. So they do work.

I think (but could be wrong) that Mercury is only offering "refurbished" 383's....not brand new.

Those motors would REALLY wake up the 292's..... I wonder why Formula stopped offering this engine as a power option?