Long Distance Records/Azz-Haulin'

[Keytime]

Hope I didn't break any rules with that title.

On midwestboatparty.com, we've been discussing running from Bagnell Dam to Truman Dam and back on Lake of the Ozarks for time. The channel is roughly 92 miles long, so that's 184 miles total.
A friend and I attempted it on pwc's this past Saturday, figuring on gassing up at least twice. We made it 60 miles before I realized my ski had a loose hose clamp and started flooding the engine compartment. By the time I figured out the cause, it was too late and we had to head back. Still ran 120 miles that day, but didn't make it to Truman Dam. I believe we averaged roughly 48-50mph on that 60mph run. We took off later than ideal and had to deal with some rough water for the first 35 miles or so.

Just wondering if anyone on here has attempted a similar run in their Checkmate.

I'd also be interested to get some feedback on how fast some of the more ambitious boaters here think they could do this, considering fuel range, top speed, etc.

Looking forward to the responses. Thanks!

 

[dream4ta]

Never tried to run that kinda distance as fast as i could but sounds like fun! Tho a little hard on equipment possibly.

 

[Keytime]

Never tried to run that kinda distance as fast as i could but sounds like fun! Tho a little hard on equipment possibly.

I imagine many would decline due to not wanting to run their equipment that hard, but that's part of it. Gotta be in it to win it.

Would an OB be better for that kinda duration?

 

[dream4ta]

Im guessing that would be a big debate. Outboard power heads tend to make more power with much less cubic inches so i could see the advantage to a bbc. But outdrives make a ton of heat in the uppers that outboards dont have to worry about. I would be willing to run my vmax that hard as long as i could maintain good water pressure for the hole trip! But with that said i would not be a contestant as i could probably only maintain 60-65 mph if the lake was less than 2' and at that i would be pretty pressed to make it to the turning point on a tank of gas... So i would probably require at least 2 fuel stops.. If i had to guess i would guess if i didnt break anything i could do it in just under 4 hours tho!

 

[DropTop5.0]

I've never gone quite that far but this spring I ran a couple hours south on the Potomac cruising around 4,000 rpm (40ish mph) and back running 5,200 rpm (50ish). I topped off the tank before I left and planned my gas accordingly.

I haven't blown anything up yet but I was also wondering what sustainable RPM I can run my 200 EFI. I figured 5,200 would be okay.

 

[wired]

42 miles and I'm sucking fumes. Good luck.

 

[wired]

.

I haven't blown anything up yet but I was also wondering what sustainable RPM I can run my 200 EFI. I figured 5,200 would be okay.

I run mine at 6500-7000 most of the time. Nothing fancy. Balanced rods and Vertex pistons with stock Mercury steel cage rod bearings. Run it a bit on the rich side to keep the exhaust and cylinder temps down and 40:1 oil mix.

 

[OzarkKing]

The team that set the dam~2~dam~2~dam record used 119.6 gallons of fuel and averaged 75.5 mph. They had some pretty serious navigation aides to monitor depth and brought along someone quite familiar with the upper mile markers to keep them in the channel.
My dream is to build a 22' Checkmate that could not only set a new record on that run (and have a custom fuel tank under the closed bow) but also win its class in the Lake Ozark Shootout.