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Wanted to report performance numbers on the 2850 with the twin F225's. Also an overall opinion of my experience with Bluewater....
First, my experience with Bluewater has been very positive. They fix their mistakes (all minor ones) and wanted to be sure I was happy. I already sent them a friend of mine who ordered the 2350 this week. I would certainly do business with them again and feel that Paul and Karen (owners) and their foreman Pete, want everything to be perfect for every customer. Their open door policy at the factory really gave me an insight into boat building and on every visit I made, every employee was happy to show me what they were working on and answer any questions. They are all very busy because they do take the time to make things right for each customer. Paul
becomes involved with every boat and every customer. This is a unique company that has found a niche in a very tough and competitive business.
Now, onto performance:
The 2850 is a fairly light boat for it's size (31LOA with bracket and 4000 pounds) With the twin four's on the back with 125 gallons of fuel and with just myself on the boat I can reach 52 MPH WOT and cruise at 33-34 MPH at 2.0-2.1 MPH or about 16 to 17 GPH. With a full tank of gas three guys on board, WOT drops to 46 or 47 with cruise MPH now at 1.7 to 1.8 MPH. Keep in mind a, full tank of gas weighs 1500 pounds and the livewell full (like it was last week adds another 150 or so pounds). I thought the fuel economy would be a bit better, but it is still acceptable. It may get better as I learn the boat a bit more. The hole shot was actually quite good, but that was with tabs down.
Offshore in solid 3-4 foot seas (with a full load) we were able to comfortably cruise at 32 MPH at 1.6 MPH. At trolling speed, both engines together burned 4-5 GPH! I believe the fuel economy at cruise dropped because of the heavy load and the rough seas. The hull performance was nothing short of fantastic in these conditions. My passengers all claimed it was the best riding center console they had ever been upon. I, being the owner expected the boat to perform very well--and I was even surprised. This is a great riding boat--period.
The engines are very, very quiet. Even more so than anticipated. If you want blazing speed, theses are not your first choice. If you want economy, no noise at all (it really sounds like the engines are OFF when in neutral) and no smoke, these engines should be your first choice.
Stockbroker,
Sounds like a great ride. I'm still waiting on mine. When did you order yours? I know they're very busy down there right now. I hope to be posting numbers for my boat soon too!
What electronics package did you end up with after all?
We want pictures of that badboy. Congrats on the new rig. I saw the same boat with the same power about 2 months ago at my local boat ramp. Really a nice lookin boat.
This is an older machine without the firewire hookup, so I can't put any pics on until I get around to upgrading a bit.
Today, with the tabs up and the engine trimmed just right in the intracoastal I was getting 2.2 MPH at 36 cruise with 165 gallons of fuel and one additional passenger. I figured out to use the tabs only when needed because while they do improve the ride, they actually provide some drag at cruising speed. I will have to fool around with it a bit more to learn what works best.
On the electronics: Garmin 2010C Furuno582 and Furuno MK3 4KW radar.
I honestly wish I could show you some pics--b/c this is indeed a pretty boat!!!!!!!! Fighting lady yellow hull with white bottom and white T-top and white rub rail. all rodholders are silver on leaning post and top and the lettering is black and silver.
Does it catch fish?....I'll let you know on Tuesday. Am fishing SAT SUN and MON & hopefully at least one of these days out to fish the Bahama Bank.( Depends on sea conditions bc it's 70NM to get there)
BW longest backlog is on the 2550. It depends somewhat on what boat you are ordering on how long it will take because I think they only have one mold per hull. Mine took 3 months or so. I know of a few of the 2350's that took 4 months. Whatever they tell you--Add at least a week or two to the time frame so you won't be dissappointed. It should be worth the wait.
I need to call Paul and get my commission [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] The experience you mentioned is exactly the same with me I'm gald to see they are consistant. Are you going on the Bluewater Rendevous to Freeport. I may have to work that week I am trying to get out of it. Anyone want to work a Security Trade show for me [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]
Glad you like the new ride. Just got back from 4 days in Grand Cay on my 2150. My fuel burn with 200 HPDI varies a lot with load and sea conditions. When fishing off Boynton with two people and half fuel, will get 2.8 to 3.5 depending on conditions. On the trip over to West End, we were heading into 2-3' out of the east, with a full fueled and loaded boat - at 24-25 mph got something like 2.3 mpg. On the run home, a little lighter (no bait, less ice, empty livewell, but about 40 lbs of filets) running downsea in 3 - 5 swell with a 1-3 chop on top, ran 28 - 33mph getting closer to 3 mpg. So...yep, with these hulls, sea conditions and load will really affect your mpg.
P.S. - On the run home, a group of 21 - 25 footers left about ten minutes ahead of us - we blew by them about 10 miles out. On the trip over, another 22 making the trip could not plane the boat into the headsea out of the east and had to run over off plane - we made the 65 miles from Boynton to West End in 2 hrs 40 minutes. Not to shabby. We arrived back at the dock in Grand after a day of fishing with a cooler full of fish around 6:00PM - and those poor folks in the other 22 (a new Proline if you must know) had only gotten in an hour before.
Stockbroker, which props do you have? I have same twins no bracket on 2870 Pursuit WA, 49 mph tops 5900rpm, seems like I lost 2-300 rpm and 3mph lately on both motors, unless its just the rough seas we have had, mine has 14-3/4 x 17 Saltwater series, I have more than enough power even loaded and wondered why they quit putting the 15-1/4x 19 props on my boat, seem like the earlier props would have given me more top end, love the motors and the boat though, good luck..Bob
I have the 19's for props. I can hit 6000-6100 RPMS with engines trimmed up and with tabs up. No question this boat is propped right. 5900 sounds about right since your boat is a bit heavier than mine. I believe with the 19's yu would get more torque but your top RPM's would be lower.
I would use whatever props get you to the max RPM with a normal load.
OH---DGC1 I sorta know what you mean. In 3-4 foot seas, I passed a 27 Grady on the way to the bait buoy. About 15 min later after I have my livewell about full, along comes the grady. Nothing wrong with a grady--but I'll take my BW anytime!
