How long and how fast can I run my SHO?

[Baja FZS]

Our lake, Lake of the Ozarks is 90 miles long, with another dam (Truman) at the end of the lake, A fun thing to do is a dam to dam (and back) run, 180 miles. My son along with his cousin did the trip a couple weeks ago as a test run. Some people do it for a time, but they took their time on this trip and just scoped the route out. Here is a video of the entire trip frame by frame (7 minutes).

https://www.youtube.com/edit?o=U&video_id=jujTN6MgNVE

I'm thinking about doing the run with my son for a time, but I'm not sure how fast is safe to run for the 2.5 to 3.5 hrs it will take. We will do the run on a cool weekday with no wind, off season, so the water will be smooth the entire way. My ski has 165 hrs, maintained very well and runs great, but I don't want push it too hard, too long. Obviously I'm not going 8500-8600 RPM for that long, but what RPM should I target?

Can I run it 7000 RPM for that long or is that nuts? I don't have a boost gauge so I'm not sure when the ETLB wheel kicks in, but I was thinking a few lbs of boost wouldn't put too much stress on it.

[K447]

You will need to stop for fuel several times over 180 miles. As speed rises fuel distance shortens.

Refuel every 60 miles seems about right, in terms of not dropping the fuel level deeply into the bottom 1/4 tank.

What octane gasoline would you be using?

What modifications are on the machine?

[Bernies10]

As long as your fuel lets you lol

[sv650k4]

i have done 10 miles with a similar set up wide open no problem. Me personally i don't usually go over about 50 on long distance because fuel consumption goes through the roof.

[Baja FZS]

Fuel stops not an issue, support boat with extra fuel running with us. We will fill up when we get low.

I run 91 octane with no ethanol.

Mods in my signature. R3, Fizzle, dual cooling, Ribbon delete, cold air direct to SC, BOV, R&D grate, Jim's plate, tunnel support and conserative A/F ratios. I don't have retainers, so I don't want to push the RPM to high for too long.

Question is, what's the max safe RPM for a long ride like this?

[Luke Kamp]

I did the run this past weekend over two days taking it easy and riding different spots. I am close to Captain Ron's so did Truman Sat. and Bagnell Sun. After Labor Day some of the fuel stops are closed for the season. I was running low ~ 81 mile marker and the owner just happened to get back from a bball game and noticed us down at the dock. I don't know how many fuel locations have premium fuel up by Truman dam. Weekday, offseason, I could see finding fuel stops being an issue. Plan on it taking longer than you expect for breaks, fuel stops, snacks, hydration, and if you find some cool spots to ride. Some neat areas and small islands up by Truman that are fun to play around at. Good luck and have fun!

[K447]

Fuel stops not an issue, support boat with extra fuel running with us. We will fill up when we get low.

I run 91 octane with no ethanol.
...

That must be a fast boat and carrying quite a bit of portable fuel. Unless you will be pumping directly from the boat fuel tank.

[Baja FZS]

Last year we used a Bass Boat with 4 - 6 gallon cans, but that was with stock VX skis that had much better gas mileage.



There are several ways to get fuel on the run. For just a fun run you can do it in summer and fill up at marinas, but in the off season that's not an option and takes too much time if you are making an official timed run.

If your going for an official timed run it takes a good sized support crew to help out. One way is to have people at docks along the route with fuel or have boats waiting at specific locations.
With a ski that is modded and uses more fuel we will most likely use the bass boat again for fuel around the 45-50 mile mark, then have cans waiting at Truman dam (90 mile mark) which is the the official turn around point. You have to get off the boat or ski and run to an official time keeper on land then return to the ski and head back to the other dam. While doing this someone else can dump fuel in the ski. Meanwhile the bass boat at the 50 mile mark goes to a public launching ramp that's nearby and exchanges the empty fuel cans for full ones in the truck and returns to around the 45 mile mark to fill the skis up on the return trip.
We are a jet ski family and are always looking for new ways to have fun on the water. Next year the boys are determined to make the run on stand-ups. Talk about fuel stops, they only hold 5 gal. We will use a lot of cans for that trip, but that's nothing new for us.



(and no the Rickter won't make the trip)

So back to my main question, I know there is always a risk of engine failure especially with a modded ski, but what is a fairly safe RPM to run my ski at for 3hr straight?