My top speed on a 96 bayliner capri is 32 mph, should it go faster than that?

Question

it has a mercury force 120 outboard and the boat weighs in at 1600 lbs.

Answer 1

Your maximum revs at WOT (wide open throttle) should be specified in your handbook.

Take the boat out on a flat calm day with plenty of running room and peg the throttle.

You are looking for two things a) the ability of the engine to run at WOT and then b) speed.

Assuming you can reach WOT, gradually trim the engine out to raise the bow... do this slowly and carefully.. as the boat trims up, speed should increase ... when the bow starts to "porpoise" aka bounce up and down, then trim back down a tiny bit until the boat is stable.. this will be your max speed for your boat/motor combination.

oh, measure your speed with a GPS..your speedo lies.

Answer 2

That's about average for a boat that weight with a motor that size. You should be getting about 5000 - 5500 revs at w.o.t . Any more and you need a higher pitch prop , any less , a lower pitch naturally. Also , having the motor mounted too low on the transom will affect the performance. Any weight in the boat that isn't necessary is slowing you down and increasing fuel consumption too.