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?

383's where never a factory option for 292.

(Blue) 377 Scorpion was though.

I have a -04 with Scorpions @ 450h which ran 75,5mph in small chops in a sweet water lake, 300ft above sea level. Ran both ways to exclude effects of possible current. One passenger besides me, and approx 1/5 of fuel.

Will run 72 any day but 74+ demands really optimal conditions. Definetly no 75mph in flat water.

Have run 70 flat with 8 people in the boat and full fuel. Not sure if I even would have gotten out of the hole without the K-planes. (Installed this winter).

All GPS numbers of cource.

I will see 71-72 mph in perfect conditions. Pic below was 65°F, low humidity, good wind chop, alone and 1/2 tank of fuel. I'm at 400' elevation. Normal load and water conditions on a hot, muggy summer day, 68-70 mph is more common.

I agree with you on the factory tabs and replaced them with 280S K-Planes. A wise investment IMO. Here's a thread:

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/f...-k-planes.html

we have seen 71 gps with 4 people and very little fuel. i hear it takes miles to get up to top speed in this boat.

we dont go hammer down every where but when we go WOT i expect to hit formula's top speed numbers.

Just a question to you guys with the 292 with 6.2 liters, do you think new aftermarket exhaust such as the cmi header type would make much difference, or has anyone done it. Bruce

I believe Expensive Date has CMI headers. Probably won't notice any top end speed difference but you might see some improvement coming out of the hole. 292's are heavy in the rear. So replacing cast iron with alum has to help. I plan on going to CMI headers when my manifolds and risers need to be replaced.

Agreed, you want the most performance out of your boat, but when you think about how often you actually run at full throttle hitting 70 or 75 doesn't really matter that much. The boat gives you a great ride.

I just wish it was 6 feet longer and had 353 on the side. I don't wish, but I can dream.

I don't have headers,I have IMCO aluminum manifolds.Pick up no top end but night and day coming out of the water and it rides much better in rough water.It seems to be more balanced.I also went 100% thru hull and blocked of the prop exhaust.You have to remove the pinwell baffels in the tips when you do this or you will have too much back pressure.It may not be faster but it sure sounds like it is.:drink:


Actually I did hit 80 once,then realized I had left the GPS on for the ride home.

The factory won`t offer refurbished engines in a new boat

By the way the new Ilmor 6.2 - 430 HP and 7.4 - 522 HP small blocks might be the perfect engines as soon they are available as sterndrive package

They 522 might be a little overkill , but fit easy into the engine room !

http://ilmor.com/en/marine/recreational/MV8-74L.aspx

http://ilmor.com/en/marine/recreatio...8-62L-OPS.aspx

Mine runs 68 WOT and will nudge 70 if conditions are just right. I had my stock 28P props labbed by BBlades. He put in a little tip cup to help with hole shot and it seems to give more mid-range bite as well. Boat cruises at 52 MPH, 3,800 rpms.

When I was selling Formulas a few years ago at LOTO, the 292 seemed to ride the best with the tabs almost burried and the drives trimmed all the way up, running on its tail, threw a nice little roost for conventinal setup, but it ran great!!! Don't recall top end speeds, but we were definitley haulin azz!!!

I would love a newer 292, theres a local with one and claims he gets the stated 70/71 outta it gps

:eek:

Thats gotta be a little hard on the drive shafts,and a nice way to spin if you have to turn quick.

+1

I have asked the same question on another thread. Cannot find any hard data on what these headers will give you in terms of torque and horsepower on a stock 6.2. I asked TCM who sells these headers and they did not have any info. Would like to see back-to-back dyno results. The weight savings and bling alone are not enough for me to pull the trigger.

+1

You definitely want neutral trim and tabs up making turns in these stepped hulls.

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1xCNjj8z_s[/YOUTUBE]


This is mine running with the Imco exhaust,and the baffels removed.It was only about 750 rpms,it a lot louder at higher rpms.

why do you find a way to say something negative about everyones posts. frankly its quite annoying. you pick apart suggestions and always claim to be right. lameee.

just to elaborate...i have asked for suggestions in the past to which you have replied. i appreciate your comments, feedback, experience, and help but sometimes you go too far to the point where no one elses opinion matters. it has annoyed me lately. just my 0.02.

just realize other people have different experiences and methods. i have gone against your recommendations plenty of times and have been just fine.

I don't think Expensive Date is trying to be negative or bash anyone's post. Just stating facts. If you run drives all the way trimmed up,you will certainly eat up u-joints.Do that with tabs all the way down and you looking for trouble.Facts are facts.

I'm negitive I don't think so,but when I bought my boat I was taught how to run a stepped hull by some one who knew what he was doing.A lot of people who run these boats have no idea how a stepped hull works,and are taking advice from someone who knows less.This is why a lot of members won't even respond to the how do I trim my boat questions.

If on a non staggered boat you are shooting a rooster tail,and do not have Arnesons you are trimming to high.If a 292 owner read that comment and tried it he could very well damage his boat and be it a very unsafe condition should he have to turn quick.For that I will speak out.If that annoys you press the ignore button.

this is just one example. another example is when we had a conversation regarding shower pickups for outdrives. i stated how expensive they were for what they are (simply bent tube). i beleive back then you had some negative comment like "if you cant afford the hobby then you should get out"...hope this rings a bell. i have several other examples just dont feel like reflecting on negativity.

Hey how did you make out with buying the wrong trailer and making it fit,(when I told you to just buy the right one) a year later you were looking for another trailer.
I loved when you posted the pictures from Boat Pix with the water marks on them,while no one on here really likes Boat Pix you ordered them copied them and sent them back.
You also posted a picture once shooting a tail,I commented that you were trimmed to high.Trim is used to set the boat at the proper angle of attack,not look cool for the picture.
I really liked when you had some problem I think it was overheating and the suggestions made on here were not correct.You complained about that.Did you really think we can diagnose a boat through a computer.Members can only offer suggestions,sometimes they work sometimes they don't.

1. my trailer works perfectly fine. it trails great. it may be a little long but doesnt really bother us that much (boat sits in the yard 90% of the time anyways). we were offered money for it and that is the reason why i was looking to replace it. none of your business really.

2. i never ordered or recieived prints from boatpix. they sent me proofs and i thought i would share. get your facts straight. i never ordered them to scan and send back.

3. i had no problem with your suggestion for overheating. actually i thanked you for your suggestion and advice. i always do on here. i appreciate your input but you come off as a know it all which you arent. that was what my post was referring too. its annoying that you think you know everything and are mostly negative. i have gone against your advice many times and have been just fine.

dont take my comments personally, just calling it how i see it. sorry for highjacking this thread. im done with this topic.

Don't worry I am busting my butt and getting there.Soon I will be hanging out in the Pantera or Fountain section.You won't have to worry about me hurting anyones feelings in the Formula section then.

Because you don't like the way I do it why don't you outline the theory of how a stepped hull works and proper trim setting...and why for everyone.Maybe your gentler and kinder way of posting will be more effective.

And I never acted like a know it all but I do know a lot about the 292s....you just don't like to be told anything.

Seriously? Why don't you grow up a bit and respect someone who has been there and done that; AND takes the time to share his experience with others?

I think I went about this in a grown up way. In no way was it childish. I do appreciate the input, suggestions, etc...but the way he goes about it is very aggravating as he comes across as a know it all. Like I said that's just my opinion.

And just as a side note. I have gotten no where in life by respecting people who have been there and done that. I blaze my own trail, learn a lot of my own lessons, earn everything I do, and as a result am viewed as an equal. I don't know anyone my age doing what I do. So don't lecture me on respect, and all that bs, etc...i view everyone as an equal but I'm certainly not putting anyone on a pedestal.

Congratulations I hope everything works out for the best. I'll repeat this because It seems as tho you don't read my posts. I do appreciate your experiences, suggestions, and input but sometimes you come across as a know it all and it's quite annoying..to me anyways. In regards to not liking to be told anything...uhhh I try everything that is suggested here but I also don't like to be looked down upon. I have earned my way into this position so I don't like being treated like an idiot.

I have never looked down upon you,like I tell some people I lived in Brooklyn for 9 years and made a living with gun belt on my waist so I may come off a little strong sometimes.
One thing I will always speak out on is trim settings on a stepped hull.When I bought my boat I went from a Jet Ski to the Formula.Most of what the salesman taught me was wrong and I realized I was way over my head.I spent a day with a friend, Martin Sanborn who was at the time one of the VPs of Fountain had raced for years and is now running the P1 circuit.Martin taught me the theory of how to run a stepped hull,not do this when it does that.The 292s are not an aggressive hull so they are probably hard to spin but it can be done.We have a new boat owner come on and gets the worst possible advice about how to trim his boat,other members agree and you have a problem with my response.
What you have done at your age is impressive,but I have learned that sometimes trying to save money costs more in the long run.This is going back to the drive shower comment.I can make 400 dollars in less time than I could make drive showers.Maybe you can't yet but you will be able to someday and then you will understand what I meant.

I'm really surprice to see so much discussions throughout OSO about which is the proper trim settings. Take your GPS Speedo and see whichever gives the best result, and there you have it. On the 292 you will defenetly find that a moderate trim is best.

I am running the 383 scorpions with the stainless marine exhaust.The motors came with the cmi headers but i could not use them because they would no tie in to my captains call. i would have to buy cmi's verison and that was anothe 3k, so mercury gave me a credit. with a full tank and three people the boat will run 78 to 80 on pretty flat water with conservative trim. Were the motors worth it ? yes it is alot more fun to drive. I usually cruise at arounf 4000rpms which is around 50mph. As far as the cmi exhaust if you guys go to there website you will find test charts on the 383 scorpion running with stock manifolds and with the headers. there was a significant increase in hp with the cmi. When I had the 6.2's the first mod I did was the stainless marine exhaust, there was no increase in top end , but the mid range improved. I also installed the 280k planes , big difference in rough water. stock my boat never saw more then 68-69mph.

Did you take all the pinwheel baffels out of your tips,I know we talked about it and I can't remember.That nice numbers with those motors.