Running at WOT. Good, bad, or just plain crazy?

[jamanati]

Have 95 3200 SCR, 5.7 Mercs with Bravo IIs. Maybe its just me, but I don't push it over 4,000 rpm. I guess I'm thinking these V8s aren't too different than automobile 350s and running them at high rpm sooner or later will break something. Some boaters run WOT all the time on the water. I also hear a lot of boaters with blown engines. Given tachs don't even show redlines, what is max rpm range for these types of motor/drives? I guess I'm thinking, if I wanted a speedboat, I would get a speedboat. But a 3200 scr is a lot of boat and not necessarily designed for speed.

[seapuppy]

the WOT scenario is mainly used to see if the boat is propped properly....ie..does the engine hit WOT/RPM of 4200-4800 rpm....from there it is determined if it's hitting the right speed of say 42mph at wot.........

you should run it at a comfortable speed of say 26-30mph depending on water/wind conditions dictates...you will know when your getting best cruise speed and fuel economy when you adjust for the proper speed and rpm within these conditions...

when your running at the right conditional speeds...you'll get the best economy..any slower and your probably pushing alot of water....too fast and your overworking the engines for no reason....yes..running an engine too hard will shorten it's lifetime...
take care of them and they will take care of you...

SP