What top speed?

Post by **Farmer** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 8:00 pm

I am planning on the purchase of a Prince Craft 176 Pro It has a 115 optimax
on it and I am wondering what kind of top end I can expect
thanks
farmer

Post by **fishmaster** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 8:57 pm

A friend of mine at work has this same boat and he tells me he gets around 47mph with it. He says it's great for tubing and skiing and it gets great gas mileage. I think you will be very happy with that package if you buy it.

Post by **Luke** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 10:17 pm

I have a 2005 SuperPro178SC SE with dual consoles. I believe it is the same hull as the 176 pro but I only have the small wind screens instead of the full windshield. It's 17'5" with 92" beem (rated for 150hp). I have an '06 115hp Optimax with a 17pitch aluminum prop. I get a top speed of 42mph gps at 5600rpm. I am very pleased with the boat, and it handles great, but if I could, I would now go with the 150hp.

Post by **SixStringHack** » Tue Oct 23, 2007 11:24 am

You've got some ballpark estimates from the answers above, but your top speed will be determined by the prop that's on the motor and that can always be changed a bit.

I lost 3 mph on top speed but got a much better hole shot when I dropped from a 19" pitch to a 17" pitch prop (both aluminum). I have a Lowe FM175 with a 115 Etec.

Post by **JIGNPIG** » Tue Oct 23, 2007 1:52 pm

I am running the sister boat to yours the 177 DLX with a older two stroke Johnson 115 with a 20 SS Raker it tops out around 47-48 GPS with two people @ 5600 RPM. I have had it running 51.5 by myself in the colder weather. Remember though the Optimax may weigh a little heavier then the Johnson

Bryan

Post by **Farmer** » Wed Oct 31, 2007 9:28 pm

Thanks , I opted for the 115 opti. My son in law has a heavy foot and I just couldn't imagine my grandbabies being towed at 50 mph.
Farmer

Post by **Farmer** » Wed Oct 31, 2007 9:28 pm

Thanks , I opted for the 115 opti. My son in law has a heavy foot and I just couldn't imagine my grandbabies being towed at 50 mph.
Farmer

Post by **Bobby Shimano** » Wed Oct 31, 2007 9:34 pm

Always go with the bigger motor, you can always slow down but you cant speed up. Its an investment as well, it helps with the resale of the boat. Same as trolling motor go big or go home.

2 cents

Bobby Shimano

Post by **Mick** » Sun Nov 04, 2007 12:51 pm

Hey Luke

Saw your post where you chipped in on top speed.

You might think about changing your prop's pitch. I have a 115 optimax 2006 model on my boat. It is a 17 foot 2 inch, 92 inch beem smokercraft milentia, pretty much same size as yours. I have a dual full windshiled console also. I run a 19 pitch on mine, actually that is what it came with, and i run roughly 50 mph with two guys in the boat @5700 rpm. Fastest I have had it was 52 mph. You get a better hole shot with the 17 but you know what, I tube with the kids and often have 4 adults in my boat and it planes out fine. with two guys in it, i plane almost instantly. I'm not sure of the exact weight of my boat but you can check it out here www.smokercraft.com

Caveat to this - that speed is according to my boat's gauge, not a gps.

Mick