Carver Owners Forum

Does anyone have a feel as to the approximate mph for twin 454's in this boat. I'm not going to be going WOT, probably be cruising at between 8 - 15 knots most of the time. I may be delusional with my last statement, but I'm more interested in the trip not the speed of getting there.
Of course this might change when I decide to head up New England way.

The other engine has 1000 hrs on it. The one that's being replaced developed a knock and the seller was advised that it should be replaced.

I could be wrong, but seems to me, the 454 block hasn't been made in 10-15 years.

My 355 is a little longer but almost the same weight. I cruise at 23-26 mph 3200-3400 rpm. Top speed about 31-32 at 4100-4250 rpm.
The engine is most likely a remanufactured engine. GM does offer a "new" 454, but I don't believe its the same "big block" as our 454's.

LateStarter wrote:Does anyone have a feel as to the approximate mph for twin 454's in this boat. I'm not going to be going WOT, probably be cruising at between 8 - 15 knots most of the time.

Do NOT under any circumstances, cruise between 8-15 knots. Either cruise at hull speed or less, about 7-8 knots or get up on a decent plane which will be somewhere closer to 17-20 knots.
Cruising 8-15 is very fuel inefficient and you will be kicking up a huge wake which won't make you any friends

Thank you buster53. My ignorance is showing like a neon sign. I thought that a bigger wake would be created by speed. If you are in a low wake zone, what speed would you do?

LateStarter wrote:QR_BBPOST Thank you buster53. My ignorance is showing like a neon sign. I thought that a bigger wake would be created by speed. If you are in a low wake zone, what speed would you do?

Low wake zone, 5 knots or less.
FYI, a 20 knot wake will probably be half the size of a 12 knot wake.
Regarding fuel, you will definitely get more MPG's at 18 knots than you will at 12. That 8-15 you mentioned is a big waste of fuel.

Latestarter,

Our 3867 Santego, Escape Plan, will cruise at WOT with a clean bottom at about 23-24 knots when all trimmed out, so she's no speed demon. but boy does she love to drink the fuel at that speed...about .5 miles to the gallon. I typically cruise on plane around 18-20 knots at around 3300 rpm. At around 7-8 knots I hardly leave any wake and will get just a hair above 1 mile to the gallon. At 44 feet she's a heavy boat for gas engines and she would have been more fuel efficient with diesels, which Carver offered as an option beginning in 91, but I've never found one with diesels. That would be the only thing I would change, (switch to diesels) if I could afford to make the change and who knows, if I ever have to repower I might just bite the bullet. I have the Crusader Model 350, 454's engines, with velvet transmissions and Walter V-drives.

Here's a web link to the spec's on the 1990 Carver Santego for you. https://carveryachts.blob.core.windows. ... ego_90.pdf

The talk about 'wakes' brings to mind an incident that occurred this past weekend.
We were cruising into Norwalk Harbor in Connecticut and although it was not a 5mph 'No Wake' zone, it was fairly crowded and rather tight quarters. I hear a rumble aft and look back to see a 72 foot yacht coming astern a little too fast! Well, the knuckle head swamped me and every other boat he passed. At the 5mph zone he did slow down, but the damage was done. I had a guest fall and the Admiral was tossed around as well. I kept an eye on his path and followed the idiot to his berth. As I hovered my boat at the stern of the yacht, I asked for the 'Captain'. The guests brought him out and I asked him if he actually had a Captains License. When he responded in the affirmative, I 'yelled' that he should be ashamed of himself! His recklessness actually injured a person on my boat.
He swamped me and every boat he passed. Of course he apologized but it was too late; damage done.
Our Carver's are well know for their large wakes and we must all strive to practice good seamanship and be aware of others around us.

When it comes to wake, I'm amazed at the number of people who just don't have a clue. All they have to do, is just turn around and look. Of course, there are plenty who just don't care they are pulling a big wake.

buster53 wrote:QR_BBPOST When it comes to wake, I'm amazed at the number of people who just don't have a clue. All they have to do, is just turn around and look. Of course, there are plenty who just don't care they are pulling a big wake.

That is so true! I don't think most of them realize that even if your outside a "no wake zone" your still responsible for any damage or injury your wake may cause. Recently, we encountered another boat at night, who was running up on plane in a narrow channel without navigation lights. He almost hit us when he crossed our bow and then almost hit the break wall on our opposite side. Fortunately, there was a "water cop" close by that saw it all. 3 miles down river at idle speed and we could still look back and see the blue lights flashing...We all suspected that he was wearing some chrome bracelets when he finally left the boat that evening