Torque matters

It dawned on me the other day while we were running up the Cumberland in our 327F-powered "almost Commander" that even around 2000 rpm, the motor was chugging along and we were going around 12 miles per hour. Leaning over the side and looking at the splash on the side of the boat gave the sensation that we really were NOT moving all that fast, and the motor was indeed, like it was in a truck running uphill.

Marine motors really DO work a lot harder than in a car. The life of a boat motor is pretty un-eventful most of the time becuase they sit at the marina most of the time wondering how long it will take their owners to earn enough money for fuel or find the time to burn it. When they do work, however, they have to work hard, and even at a low cruise the torque is what gets the job done in a boat.

A car by contrast is running easy at 2000 rpm. Take a look at my moring commute, and note the difference in rpm between 70 and 80. Not much.
By contrast, the car is loafing, while the boat is working harder to maintain 12 miles per hour.