1989 Force 85HP Gas mileage?

[jdingalls]

Just purchased a 1989 boat, motor, trailer package. 17' Maxum (bow rider) with 85HP Force outboard, well maintained, in good condition. My previouos experience is only with smaller boats and outboards, so excuse my ignorance please. During my first outing I was surprised to use aproximately 6 gallons of fuel per hour. (4 persons in boat, moderate throttle use, exploring the lakes, etc.) Is this a normal MPG figure? If not, does anyone have any tuning suggestions for me, or should I just start saving more $ for gas?

 

[Yepblaze]

Re: 1989 Force 85HP Gas mileage?

Sounds about normal.

 

[icwebpeople]

Re: 1989 Force 85HP Gas mileage?

i have a 15 ft with a 85 hp and i use 12 gallons of fuel in 5 hrs of tubing and skiing at mostly wot

 

[Jango]

Re: 1989 Force 85HP Gas mileage?

I have the same Motor on a 17ft Bayliner and use about 4 1/2 to 5 gal/hr. The Bayliner is probably a little lighter.<br /> <br />Force Motors are 70's technology and not as efficient as others.<br /><br />I also have a DOLL-FIN (Hydrofoil)installed which is supposed to save fuel.(Don't know because it came with Boat)

 

[sho305]

Re: 1989 Force 85HP Gas mileage?

All you can do aside from a motor that is in good tune: is make sure your prop is perfect, the bottom of the hull is clean, keep the boat as light as possible, run the best trim for a given speed, and remember the throttle IS the gas valve! The I/Os I have had seemed to take less fuel than the OBs.