1972 50hp Johnson vs. 1990 88 hp Evinrude Fuel Economy???

[andrewbabich]

1972 50hp Johnson vs. 1990 88 hp Evinrude Fuel Economy???

I want to get a lil more power, and a lil more wake for wakeboarding then my current set up of a 1972 16ft starcraft capri w/ 50 hp Johnson. Problem is the boat runs great and never surprises me so its hard to say goodbye.

Looking at a 1990 bayliner 18ft with 88 hp evinrude.


Will the mileage be about the same? I've heard the 88 hp were thirsty motors, but my 50hp motors nearly 40 years old.... I think I get around 4-6 mpg, but its hard to tell cause I'm always wakeboarding.

I'm just a pleasure boater and want a good cheap wakeboard set up. Would an I/O serve me better or be more efficient?

 

[Chris1956]

Re: 1972 50hp Johnson vs. 1990 88 hp Evinrude Fuel Economy???

The I/o will give a larger wake, which you might like. However, unless you get a real Wakeboard Boat, or the fatsacks for that I/O, the wake will still be 2' or less.

The 88HP motor will use nearly 9 gal of fuel at WOT, versus the 5gal you now use. Efficiency has only changed a little over the 40 years. If the 88 is a loop charged motor is will have better low end power, and better fuel economy that an 88HP crossflow motor.

You do realize you are comparing a 50HP motor/16 footer with an 88HP/18 footer? It is an apples-to-oranges comparison.

 

[andrewbabich]

Re: 1972 50hp Johnson vs. 1990 88 hp Evinrude Fuel Economy???

Thats great information. Thank you.

I know its not an apples to apples comparision, I'm just trying to figure out if I can get a slightly bigger boat with a better wake that won't burn much more fuel.

How many gph would an 18ft bayliner i/o 3.0 merc burn an hour?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1972 50hp Johnson vs. 1990 88 hp Evinrude Fuel Economy???

plane and simple, bigger boat, bigger motor, bigger gas bill.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: 1972 50hp Johnson vs. 1990 88 hp Evinrude Fuel Economy???

A 3.0L motor is usually 135HP. That means it will use 13.5 Gal at WOT. In reality, it will use less fuel than an equivalent size outboard. I would guess it will use 7-8 GPH at a normal cruise(28-30 MPH), maybe a bit less.

I cannot predict if it will be better on fuel than the 88HP OP, however.

It will not be better than your 50HP OB, however, you would get a much bigger boat out of the deal.