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Freshwater versus Saltwater speeds

Old 12-16-2005, 04:38 PM
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Default Freshwater versus Saltwater speeds

Salt water speeds were always supposed to be faster than freshwater speeds.Recently,with the advent of the twin-step, I have heard several knowledgeable experts say that it is not a factor anymore. Salt or freshwater is the same. What do you think?
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Old 12-16-2005, 05:48 PM
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Default Re: Freshwater versus Saltwater speeds

Our race boat has steps, and is about 2 mph faster in salt water.
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Old 12-16-2005, 05:58 PM
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Default Re: Freshwater versus Saltwater speeds

Originally Posted by pm203
Salt water speeds were always supposed to be faster than freshwater speeds.Recently,with the advent of the twin-step, I have heard several knowledgeable experts say that it is not a factor anymore. Salt or freshwater is the same. What do you think?
They are not "Experts" then!
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Old 12-16-2005, 06:29 PM
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Default Re: Freshwater versus Saltwater speeds

Originally Posted by Steve 1
They are not "Experts" then!
You can tell that to Phil.
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Old 12-16-2005, 06:39 PM
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Default Re: Freshwater versus Saltwater speeds

Originally Posted by pm203
You can tell that to Phil.
It really doesn't matter who you talk to, I can almost bet that anyone with any experience in boating can tell you there is a difference. I pick up almost 2 mph in Salt water vs. Fresh.
I have never talked to anyone that did not get similiar results
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Old 12-16-2005, 06:52 PM
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Default Re: Freshwater versus Saltwater speeds

I am not agreeing or disagreeing. Just trying to get some input on this topic.
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Old 12-16-2005, 07:27 PM
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Default Re: Freshwater versus Saltwater speeds

Poker Runs America researched this very topic in the past year (maybe longer), their analysis showed negligible difference between the two mediums. Temperature, humidity, chop were MUCH bigger factors. I wish I could find the article, it was very well done. I sent an email to PRA inquiring about the issue it was posted in, but they never responded
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Old 12-16-2005, 09:01 PM
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Default Re: Freshwater versus Saltwater speeds

I did the Lake Michigan summer, Florida winter deal for 20 years, never saw any differance. A displacement hull will float higher and have less wetted area due to the higher specific gravity (about 2.5% ) of the salt water. So unless you have a tugboat I don't think the differance is significant.
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Old 12-16-2005, 10:24 PM
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Default Re: Freshwater versus Saltwater speeds

This subject was tossed around on a thread called - "Arneson surface drives [ ASD - 6 ] in freshwater" , posted by Frogger 1403. Tonight it can be found on page 31

My experience is that my Nor Tech actually goes 2 or 3 MPH faster in freshwater.

Bob
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Old 12-17-2005, 07:58 AM
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Default Re: Freshwater versus Saltwater speeds

Originally Posted by Troutly
In theory, I would have to agree that saltwater should be a tad bit faster than freshwater......BUT, to have an accurate comparison, all things need to be equal (except for the type of water), such as elevation, air temp, humidity, fuel, passengers, etc.

For instance, most places we boat in freshwater is at an elevation of 800 to 1000 ft. This will make a difference on the power produced.
So, if I was going 85MPH on GPS down the river and out into the bay and the tide is going out at 3mph and the water is going from fresh to salt, how fast am I going
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