R-21 Volvo D1-30 question

[Sheepdog012]

Hi Folks, For those R-21 owners that have the Volvo D1-30F, I am wondering what RPM you like to cruise at? I was told by the dealer that those motors want to be run wide open (3,000 RPM) as much as possible. I have also read in the Volvo manual to run them 500 RPM below WOT, so roughly 2,500 RPM . Depending on how the Island Girl is loaded, 2,700 seems to be where she is happiest, although not the optimal fuel efficiency. Also, does anyone cruise at lower RPM's? I am trying to find a balance between fuel efficiency/motor longevity and concern about glazing up the cylinders or clogging up the riser with carbon. Any insights are greatly appreciated!

 

[Pilotnavigator]

I cruise at 2200 because it gives me 6 knots of speed give or take 0.2 knots. I tow a tender ant it will not track well over 6 knots. This gives me a burn rate of 1.6 litres an hour.

 

[TylerFromEverett]

2200 is my sweet spot where I get about 6 knots and can have a conversation. We run at 2700 if we want to go a little faster which gets us 7 knots to 7.5 knots. The engine runs really smooth at that rpm but it’s a little louder. I rarely run wot. I usually only do it for the last 5-10 minutes of my run as I was taught to burn off carbon.

 

[lproulx]

1800 rpm seems to be a sweet spot for us. It gives about 5.5 knots at 0.5 gph, while minimizing the various buzzing and rattling noises from the fiberglass boat parts and pieces.

Larry

 

[ohioan55]

1800 to 2200 works great for Jersey Girl, but we do run at WOT occasionally.

 

[adueser]

Mine does:
1500 rpm, 5kn, 20nm/gal.
2000 rpm, 6kn, 10nm/gal.
2500 rpm, 7kn, 5nm/gal.
approximately.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Newf]

Very seldom run at WOT on mine. Going to and from fishing grounds I normally run 2700-2800 and this will give me 7-7.5 knots. 90-95% of the time I'm trolling so running 850-950 RPMs which is suppose to contribute to carbon build-up in the exhaust elbow, or so I'm told. Two elbow inspections, one at around 1400hrs and the most recent at around 2200hrs and the elbow has only had a light layer of soot, zero buildup,,,, so your elbow will probably be OK at any cruising speed. My trolling RPMs may cause other issues down the road but elbow build-up does not appear to be one of them,,,,, not yet.

 

[Sheepdog012]

Thanks all for the insights! Looks like I will be slowing it down a bit and seeing how it works out around 2200.

Be well!

 

[harley]

I had the very same D1-30 in my 34' sailboat for 12 years. I loved it and ran it between 2000 and 2400 but the sweat spot for sound and efficiency was 2200 rpm. I loved the engine and it was the 4th motor I had in the boat over 37 years. All Volvo's and some not so good. The D1-30 started great every time...only issue was a little leaky fresh water pump. I swapped the original exhaust manifold to SS when new as I had two original ones fail and wanted to avoid that.

I have finally sold the sailboat and now looking for a 21 EC Ranger. I have posted such in the For Sale forum.
Prefer the D1-30 but would take a Yanmar if I can find the boat on the West Coast.