'96 Merc 200 carbed, Offshore. Just how bad will the MPG be?

[btravlin2]

Howdy......there's a Cape Horn 21 for sale down this way with the above motor. Owner says it has 450 hours on it. Assuming the motor passes a compression test and runs out well, what is an average cruise MPG to be expected.

My searching already indicates these are fairly rock-solid motors, but horrible on mileage. How horrible?

 

[oldman570]

Re: '96 Merc 200 carbed, Offshore. Just how bad will the MPG be?

Fuel comsumption of a motor is a very loaded question. It realy depends on the condition of the motor, at what speed it is run at. and water conditions. It can run from a gallon per hour up to 20 or more at times. Running at WOT will eat the fuel quick and idleing along will be alot less. I belive that on the norm it will use 10% of the HP per hour when run at WOT on most motors. Only real way to tell is to run it and find out . Outboards are not realy great MPG motors when compaired to other gas operated motors as they are under a load all the time when in gear while a car will coast atlot at times and not working the motor. JMO
Oldman570