BOATS

BOAT TESTS

MERIDIAN 541

By Capt. Bill Pike

TEST BOAT SPECIFICATIONS

Test Engine: 2/600-hp Cummins MerCruiser QSC8.3-600 diesel inboards w/ Zeus drives

Transmission/Ratio: ZF 105S-1.2 marine gears w/ 1.2:1 ratio

Props: Zeus M7

Price as Tested: $1,466,708

The Numbers

2010 Meridian 541 Final Boat Test Numbers:

rpm	mph (knots)	gph	mpg (nmpg)	sm range	nm range	decibels	trim (degrees)
1000	9.0 (7.8)	3	2.98 (2.59)	1,702	1,480	63	0.5
1500	11.0 (9.5)	10	1.10 (0.95)	625	543	71	1.5
2000	14.7 (12.8)	28.2	0.52 (0.45)	297	259	69	4
2500	25.0 (21.7)	40.1	0.62 (0.54)	355	309	71	4.5
2700	28.4 (24.7)	45.8	0.62 (0.54)	354	308	71	5
3000	33.2 (28.9)	56.4	0.59 (0.51)	336	292	73	5
3060	34.6 (30.0)	60.8	0.57 (0.49)	324	282	73	4.5
PROPULSION: 2/600-hp Cummins MerCruiser QSC8.3-600 diesel inboards w/ Zeus drives; ZF 105S-1.2 marine gears w/ 1.2:1 ratio; propsets: Zeus M7 CONDITIONS: temperature: 72F; humidity: 60%; wind: variable, light; seas: calm; load: 630 gal. fuel, 150 gal. water, 3 persons, and 800 lbs. of gear. Speeds are two-way averages measured w/ Stalker radar gun. GPH taken via SmartCraft fuel-monitoring system. Range: 90% of advertised fuel capacity. Decibels measured on A scale. 65 dB is the level of normal conversation.

OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT ON TEST BOAT

Onan 23-kW genset (in lieu of 21-kW model)
teak decking (cockpit, stairway, flying bridge)
wooden floor in saloon
Raymarine premium electronics package (2/E120W screens and 4-kW radar)
hardtop
flying-bridge A/C
Splendide washer/dryer
Fisher & Paykel dishwasher
desk/chair in master stateroom
hydraulic swim platform
full canvas package

This article originally appeared in the June 2010 issue of Power & Motoryacht magazine.