gas mileage

[john cole]

this should be a good loaded question open to lots of variation, but does anyone have any idea what a 4.3L engine w/2bbl carb pushing a 3600pd boat at say around 3000 rpm's could be expected to get? or what average boat with that engine gets?

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: gas mileage

No one can answer this. :facepalm:

Until you get your own readings there is absolutely no correct answer. What did you get last season? How large is the tank? What kind of hull? What kind of load? Into the wind? In rough water or glass water?

Absolutely impossible to answer - EVERY boat is different. Props are different, hulls are different.

Here is the rule - 1/3 of a tank in one direction, 1/3 of a tank to get back and the remaining 1/3 is for safety. Use a GPS and figure it out when you are on the water.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: gas mileage

Perhaps we could have a contest with a prize to the person that gets closest

Bob _VT is on track that there is no absolute answer. . . but if you want a range, I'll venture to say it is less than 4 mpg and greater than 2 mpg.

 

[john cole]

Re: gas mileage

I know there is no absolute answer. But the average is about what I came up with thru further research. Seems that 3 to 5 mpg is the range, I would plan my trips based on the low side and anything above that would be a bonus. But either way I plan on running it down the lake this spring at my cruising speed , refill and see what it works out to. Plus this also kind of gives me an idea as to how it stacks up against others.

 

[redneck joe]

Re: gas mileage

5 seems a bit high but would be nice. I get high 2's with my 5.7 on a 4500 lbs (loaded).

 

[john cole]

Re: gas mileage

Yeah 5 does sound like a dream. I wish I had taken some time last year an clocked it but oh well, I'm. Thinking I'm up in the mid 3 range, but need to know, planning a trip with it this year an trying figure out if the gas bill will kill the idea or not. Or if I will need to just trailer it a bit farther.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: gas mileage

I was thinking about 3 gal to the mile.

 

[john cole]

Re: gas mileage

Lol, ouch

 

[redneck joe]

Re: gas mileage

our last boat had twin 454.

.8 mpg....

 

[john cole]

Re: gas mileage

no thanks, that was a main reason to staying with a single v 6, gas mileage, and yet having a large enough boat that could handle pretty much anything Oneida lake here could dish up, and still be able to be trailer with my truck

 

[redneck joe]

Re: gas mileage

I hear ya - same reason we went with the Carver (below). Still big enough for a weekend but small enough to 'boat'. I've not had in big water yet, but have followed some 40 ft+ cruisers down the river and she took it in style.

 

[john cole]

Re: gas mileage

looks like a nice boat, and being a 79', very nice.

 

[redneck joe]

Re: gas mileage

you have an open bow?

 

[gtochris]

Re: gas mileage

Look for a boat review- maybe on boattest.com or another listing- Often they show the technical data.
Hull and manufacturer play a huge part! A Sea Ray with the listed specs you note will get very different #'s than a Stingray.

 

[NYBo]

Re: gas mileage

You might get 5 MPG, but only down hill!

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: gas mileage

Assuming the engine is in proper tune:

Take the top speed, square it, then divide by the rated HP, call the result X.

Take the speed at 3000 RPM, square it, then divide by X. The result is the HP required to cruise at 3000 RPM, call that Y

Multiply Y times .08 and that will give you the GPH in fuel burn at 3000 RPM.

Divide the speed at 3000 RPM by the fuel burn to get MPG.

 

[Fun Times]

Re: gas mileage

Hey there John, maybe this little gadget will help entertain you for a bit.

Looking for a boat ? Check fuel consumption all types of boats !

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: gas mileage

boattest.com does a bunch of testing and publishes results. however there are so many things that impact fuel economy on a boat its not worth worrying about.

boats smileage is in smiles per gallon. that is all that maters.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: gas mileage

Get an outboard tank.
Fill it with gas and hook it to your motor.
Then go for a ride.
That will give you an idea of your usage.
I have outboards(twin 88.85hp) and get about 2.3 miles per gal.
Somebody said something about 3 gal per mi. That would be a BIG motor and probably very fast.
If mine got that?? it would be sold,NOW!!!

 

[john cole]

Re: gas mileage

no i have a cuddy, i will have to try and upload a photo of it. i have tried looking up the specs on but haven't really had much luck . and can't say i have ever had much luck boating down hill :facepalm:, those trips have never gone very well for me