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Random Quote: Anything short of impact is a success.
How did the setrial go,what kind of fuel burn did you get.
hopefully you had a chance to seatrial the 30 as well the fuel burn on it should be pretty close to what you are looking for even with the bigger engines
This is what makes the forum such a valuable place for info. I've really had a large amt of info from owners of prowlers via email and I appreciate it very much. I also got an invitation, which I accepted, to go with Steve (prior post) on his 246 prowler with 115's. First off, Steve's boat looks new (so it has held up very well). I could hardly believe that it's a 2001. Anyway, he was kind enough to take me for a spin, and for me, these 115's do everything that I would need them to. It was very calm, and we were able to get 29mph at 4400-4500 rpms and 3.1 mpg! Top speed was about 42 or so. It rode very smooth, and I was impressed. Thanks again Steve.
I was equally impressed with Tom and Bill. They were very courteous and informative. I went for a spin on the 246 with them first. It was equipped with suzuki 175's. Unfortunately, the fuel flow meter wasnt dialed in yet, but you guys are correct, in that the 175's do not have to work as hard as the 115's to push the boat at roughly 30mph (now why didnt it work that way with my hydrasport when I went from 200's to 250's? ) Anyway, we got 29mph at about 3500 rpms. I looked up the fuel flow for 3500 rpms for the suzi 175's on the suzuki website......looks like the avg rate is 9-10.5 gal / hr. That puts the mpgs at a range of 2.7-3.2mpg. Pretty darn good IMO. I'd love to see some #'s from another 246 with suzuki 150's. Should be somewhere between the 175's and the 115's.
Bill also offered to take me for a run on a 30 that was at the same marina..........and of course I couldnt resist. I read about this boat on another post in this forum..............I've gotta say that the boat looked OK to me. I use my boat, and dont spend any time polishing it---time that I could be fishing of course. It looks used..........but that's exactly what it is----the guy who owns it, uses it. Nothing wrong with that IMO. Mechanically, it performed fine. Bill made the point that it has yamaha 250's on it, and since the time that they made that one, they have found that the 30's perform more efficiently with 'zuke 300s. I really liked the 30', and b/c of it's size, of course, it even rode better than the 24'. Back at the office, they showed me some in transit pics of the tach/fuel mgmt system of a 30' that they delivered some time ago with 300 suzuki's on it: it burns 16 gal/hr at 35mph, rpms 3500 for about 2mpg. The 30' doesnt get quite the efficiency that you get with the 246, but it's such a large, impressive platform, and the stability/ride is improved a good bit over the 24 footer..............it's going to be a hard decision, both are very nice boats. I also wanted to mention that they are making a cabin option for the 30', and the surprising thing about it, is that since it replaces the T top, the weight of the cabin version will almost be on par with the center console version, but Bill says that it will have less air resistance than the T Top version.
So, a good trip, lots of info to digest.................I'll keep you posted and thx for all the info.
I'm glad They are finally doing the pilothouse I had talked with them about doing the PH version about 5 years ago I think tey'll do well with it and will give the other companies a little more competition which is not a bad thing
bradmd - 7/14/2008 7:51 PM
Back at the office, they showed me some in transit pics of the tach/fuel mgmt system of a 30' that they delivered some time ago with 300 suzuki's on it: it burns 16 gal/hr at 35mph, rpms 3500 for about 2mpg.
2mpg on any twin outboard 30ft is great!!!
Quote:
bradmd - 7/14/2008 7:51 PM
I also wanted to mention that they are making a cabin option for the 30', and the surprising thing about it, is that since it replaces the T top, the weight of the cabin version will almost be on par with the center console version, but Bill says that it will have less air resistance than the T Top version.
I would love to see the layout? Did bill tell you when there will be more info on this model?
bradmd - 7/14/2008 7:51 PM
Back at the office, they showed me some in transit pics of the tach/fuel mgmt system of a 30' that they delivered some time ago with 300 suzuki's on it: it burns 16 gal/hr at 35mph, rpms 3500 for about 2mpg.
2mpg on any twin outboard 30ft is great!!!
Quote:
bradmd - 7/14/2008 7:51 PM
I also wanted to mention that they are making a cabin option for the 30', and the surprising thing about it, is that since it replaces the T top, the weight of the cabin version will almost be on par with the center console version, but Bill says that it will have less air resistance than the T Top version.
I would love to see the layout? Did bill tell you when there will be more info on this model?
the 1st one should be done in about a month or so I saw it the progress 2 weeks ago when I was at Renaissance,They are keeping the layout on the simple side
I assume youre talking about the 30' cabin model. Bill said there would be room for a queen bed down below, if I remember correctly. IMO, that boat has so much usable room that you could sleep way more than 4 comfortably
I have a 2003 246 prowler, large t-top originally powered with 140 suzi, with 3 fisherman, 150 lbs ice 150llbs fish, misc fishing tackle, sinkers, etc 150 lbs.(not including all the other junk I carry for safety and necessity... Fuel mileage @ 4000-4200 rpm approx 28 mph in 3' - 5 sec seas-- 2.75mpg. (smooth seas 3 mpg-1' in seas or less). Re powered to 175 suzukis .. same load 3800 rpm , 30 mph 2.5- 2.75 mpg.... can get 3 mpg at 3500 rpm if seas are smooth. Typically fish offshore, 110 mile round trips. The 140's would slow down on the upside of swells where the 175's maintain speed no matter the seas. Never had a bit of problem with the engines or boat. If you see my boat it looks like its a new one Would love to have the 306 for the extra room and comfort , but this boat does the job. Call me if you need more info. Rick 772-388-8782
I just would like to give you the negatives of the heaver 175s . These engine weight 55 lbs more than the 140's. While that does not seem like much, I did notice that water will enter the scuppers slightly when 3 fisherman are in the back of the boat in rough seas. Also I noticed the boat is more tender due to the additional weight of the engines. I think all kats are sensitive to loading as far as efficiency is concerned.
I have owned four cats now. I currently own the Prowler246. I had a Huge fixed top put on the boat and I too was considering going with the 140's I instead with with the Suk 175. I am currently getting 2.5 cruise at 30 mph. I personally think that I am slightly over propped with that huge top. I am very happy with the larger engines for the extra speed when I need it like storms or if one fails someone gets injured or I am in a rush.
All I can say is that the very light weight construction in that cat is the way to go. You are at the right place now just look at what motors you want.
I had a 2002 Prowler 246 w/ Yam 115 4 strokes and the big T-top with a crow's nest on top. If I had it to do over again I would have gotten 150s. I could cruise ~30mph and flirt with 3mpg if I remember right. Running up the back of a wave or swell however really taxed those engines and there were a few, but only a few, times I really wished I had more power coming back through Destin Pass. I could not plane on one engine, but I typically fished with a pretty heavy load of people gear and ice.
That 246 was a helluva boat, we were run over by a 35 Cabo and while smashed up pretty bad we didn't sink and I was able to eventually get it repaired.
Feel free to PM me if you have any further questions.
RE: motor for renaissance prowler 246 
) Anyway, we got 29mph at about 3500 rpms. I looked up the fuel flow for 3500 rpms for the suzi 175's on the suzuki website......looks like the avg rate is 9-10.5 gal / hr. That puts the mpgs at a range of 2.7-3.2mpg. Pretty darn good IMO. I'd love to see some #'s from another 246 with suzuki 150's. Should be somewhere between the 175's and the 115's. 
