Brand new to boating, checking gas consumption

[96 Wellcraft]

The first time I filled up the boat the gauge was sitting on 1/4 tank. It took 19 gallons to splash out on me.:redface: The second time after spending about 5 hours on the lake very little WOT mostly low 20 mph cruising, I put 19 gallons in before the pump shut off, (it didn't splash fuel out on me this time). Third time putting gas in 6 hours on the water mostly 20 mph cruising, but with about 90 minutes of WOT pulling a tube. I put in 26 gallons before splashing gas out all over me.

I'm figuring about 4 gallons per hour of fuel usage. Is this right with a 4.3 Volvo Penta in a 1996 21' Wellcraft Excel SX ? I know I'm probably not as efficient as I could be getting on plane. It just seems like this boat won't ride smooth on glassy or choppy water unless it's nearly trimmed flat. Any ideas, thoughts, comments? Thanks.

 

[eriediver]

Re: Brand new to boating, checking gas consumption

That's not bad. That's averaging about 5 mpg.
I get about 2 miles to the gallon in perfect conditions & I'm very happy with that. I only got about 1 or less when I went to Canada a week ago in 5-7 footers. Boating ain't cheap & pulling anything (tuber,skiier etc.) will use ALOT of fuel.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Brand new to boating, checking gas consumption

4gph is actually pretty good!


How fast are you getting at WOT?

The first time I filled up the boat the gauge was sitting on 1/4 tank. It took 19 gallons to splash out on me.:redface: The second time after spending about 5 hours on the lake very little WOT mostly low 20 mph cruising, I put 19 gallons in before the pump shut off, (it didn't splash fuel out on me this time). Third time putting gas in 6 hours on the water mostly 20 mph cruising, but with about 90 minutes of WOT pulling a tube. I put in 26 gallons before splashing gas out all over me.

I'm figuring about 4 gallons per hour of fuel usage. Is this right with a 4.3 Volvo Penta in a 1996 21' Wellcraft Excel SX ? I know I'm probably not as efficient as I could be getting on plane. It just seems like this boat won't ride smooth on glassy or choppy water unless it's nearly trimmed flat. Any ideas, thoughts, comments? Thanks.

 

[thunderroad]

Re: Brand new to boating, checking gas consumption

4 mpg sounds pretty good to me too. I did a bunch of experimenting and found a sweet spot where I can get around 3 and was tickled about it.

 

[96 Wellcraft]

Re: Brand new to boating, checking gas consumption

WOT on smooth water is 40-45 mph. Pulling the tubers we were doing alot of figure 8's, so more along the lines of 25-30 or so.

 

[turpehar]

Re: Brand new to boating, checking gas consumption

My 82 Celeb GM 305 uses about 3 gallons per hour cruising, and about half of that tubing,,,, but it sure is fun.

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: Brand new to boating, checking gas consumption

Last Saturday started out full, spent eight and a half hours on the water, refilled Sunday AM $70.00 to refill. Less than ten bucks an hour for a day of fun for 6 adults. I'll take it.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Brand new to boating, checking gas consumption

My ex boat Searay 24` weekender ,twin IL6`s, edelbrock marine 4bbl`s, 13 3/4 x 21p Al 3 blade
2500rpm/31mph @ 7 1/2 gph
4600rpm,59mph @39gph

 

[eriediver]

Re: Brand new to boating, checking gas consumption

I just put $212 in mine today & used about $100 worth in a few hours.