Lower temparatures are a 502's best friend :D add a current............theres 4mph right there.

My 502 boat sees the best of 76-77.

Sure wish it could run in the 80's, then I would be able to keep up with the 32 on my lake that has the HP500EFI's. :)

I have a 96 32 with 502's that I see 77-78 all day long on gps. no leaking problems, its for sale, on topendmarine.com

I always suggest that people strongly consider stepped hulls over non-stepped. The stepped hulls are a lot more efficient.

For example, my 32 sportfish cruiser has the single step hull, is VERY heavy, with a LOT of wind resistance from the top and eisenglass enclosure, but will always go 60, and in perfect conditions, 70. This is with lots of fuel and people and food and ice and dinghy and ... My boat has twin 454 385hp magnums.

wait a short while and buy the redesigned 32. it will be done tooling soon.

my 2000 32 w 26p hydros runs 77-78 gps all day but that is it. anybody think you can get any more speed out of those props or, use any dif. ones?

What are your RPM's at WOT?

fountain speed
 

So I guess you guys are saying a 32 fountain wont run better than hight 80's???????????JOHN

My 8.8 non-step cruises all day at 80 which is as fast as I need to go on the waters I boat in. Who cares what the top speed is, I never see it. I rarely if ever run those motors that hard.

We've got N/A 540 making 650-675hp, Konrad drives spinning Spinnelli 30's.

To correctly determine an approximate top speed, we would require details on the dry weight of your significant other's belongings, luggage, and "accessories" that will be loaded on to the boat.

My estimate, depending on the above answer, is 72-76, realistic speeds.

I've had my 96 502 boat for 8 years and prior to having years of "stuff" shoved in every crevice, I'd see 77-81. Now 76 is a good day with a full-ish tank.

No major issues in 8 years. Little stuff, but nothing that wouldn't happen with any other boat.

The only note is they are not a good boat if you beach a lot. They don't like to be beached, it's already at the water line already.

They're a great bang for the buck boat. Nice speeds with reliable power. You won't lead a poker run, but you'll still have the same amount of fun.