Albemarle 242/Volvo D-4 260 hp experience

[us42449]

Looking for info from someone who has actually run this rig with the 260 hp D-4 engine. I think a previous owner reduced prop diameter, but am not sure. We are cruising at 29 kn (33.5 mph) at 3000 RPM; WOT is 33.5 kn (38.5 mph) at 3600 RPM red line. My gut after 300 hrs running sez we should go faster, esp at WOT, where the boat sure feels like it has more to go.

Are other owners going faster? Inquiring minds would like to know, although new props are $2 k for the pair!

Appreciate any insights from hands on folks.

[southatlantic]

If you are reaching 3600 rpm WOT you are in great shape. That is just right. 29 kts at 300 RPM is a very impressive cruising speed, why do you want to go any faster? Sea conditions will usually not allow it, anyway... I think you have a winning combination, enjoy it!

My current boat has twin D4-260s, jackshafts and DPH drives - a great set up. I have over 400 hours on the engines without a glitch. Some issues with the gear actuator of the drives, which was solved by upgrading the control cables.

[us42449]

If you are reaching 3600 rpm WOT you are in great shape. That is just right. 29 kts at 300 RPM is a very impressive cruising speed, why do you want to go any faster? Sea conditions will usually not allow it, anyway... I think you have a winning combination, enjoy it!

My current boat has twin D4-260s, jackshafts and DPH drives - a great set up. I have over 400 hours on the engines without a glitch. Some issues with the gear actuator of the drives, which was solved by upgrading the control cables.

Thanks for responding. I am happy to have hit 3600 rpm--that suggests the boat is not over-propped. But I still might be underpropped--would like to see more knots at 3600.

I like my D-4 engine a great deal. But my outdrive internals disintegrated (literally)---the Volvo rep had never seen one like this. And my steering hyd rams and the (4) lines all failed. Volvo replaced this gear under the 2 yr warrantee with new components that looked different than the old--"countermeasure parts" probably. Hat's off to Volvo for stepping up to the plate for some pretty expensive stuff, and to Boat US tow for 3 trips to deal with the failures. That was 2008.

This year, the tilt hyd lines failed--not under warrantee. Hope the bugs are worked out!