Bad Gas Milage

[AggieFX4]

I own a 1996 Sea Ray with the 3.0 Liter Mercury Mercruiser I/O, and it seems as if it guzzles gas. I can easily blow through a tank of gas if I am wake boarding all day with just two people in the boat. I talk to others with the 4 cylinders and they say that they can go for approx. two weeks before a refill. No joke, the gas needle appears to start coming off full after about 30 minutes of wakeboarding/driving. What would cause bad gas milage on a carb. boat? I know its not the trim, because I always adjust it so that there is the least amount of drag possible on the boats hull and underside.

 

[mkast]

Re: Bad Gas Milage

How big is your tank? How heavy is your boat? How much gear is in your boat? How many people on board? Are the friends that go two weeks between fillups wake boarding, or 5 mph/no wake?<br />Without being onboard, I'll guess you're running at or near WOT most of the time, engines drink alot of fuel at that throttle setting.

 

[Doug Durako]

Re: Bad Gas Milage

4 gallons an hour under load is in the range of normal. We burn 25 to 30 gallons a day pulling tubes and skiiers.<br /><br />Also, check the bottom of the boat---dirty bottoms eat gas.

 

[AggieFX4]

Re: Bad Gas Milage

The boat weighs in at around 2500 lbs. The Fuel tank is about 18 gallons and I usually only have myself and one other person on board with very little extra supplies...wakeboard and maybe an icechest. As far as the bottom of the boat, it is pretty clean I wash it after every run.

 

[Darian F.]

Re: Bad Gas Milage

Another good thing to check is your propeller.<br />Make sure it's not bent or otherwise damaged.<br />and your engine is running at the correct wot rpm.

 

[cjflanagan]

Re: Bad Gas Milage

Is this boat new to you? Have you noticed a change in consumption?