The Perkins 6-354 (130 hp) tops out at 2,700 and we cruise at 1,600 rpm giving us a speed on flat water of 7.2 knots pushing a 42,000 lb boat. If I push it to 2,300 we do 8.5. The good thing about the slow rpm of the Perkins is that there is less wear and tear on the engine making for a lifespan of approx. 15 to 20,000 hours.

An additional bonus is with a slow rpm the sound is more of a drone instead of a whine. Our small 3 cyl. Izuzu generator makes twice as much noise and has a lifespan of about half the Perkins.