more 1978 115 HP Evinrude questions

[Mr.Stuart]

I had the boat on the river today, we spent close to 8 hours out there, the engine ran perfect but holy cow, what a gas hog!! we must have gone through close to 35 gallons in the time we were out there, I didn't know there was anything made that can drink that much!!

so, ready for this? I'm sure you can pretty much guess what my next question is going to be.

is there a way to get that thing to drink less fuel? what is the optimum RPM for fuel economy? or is it going to drink me dry no matter what I do?

I love the boat and that outboard purrs like a kitten, but dang, with as much fuel as it burns, I should own stock in OPEC.

maybe it's better to complain about bad fuel economy then problem engines, so I probably shouldn't be complaining at all, it is a great running motor and the boat fits the family well, and if I could some how adapt a sail to the boat, we'd be on the river all the time "78 Starcraft Holiday sail boat" now there's a concept

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: more 1978 115 HP Evinrude questions

Optimum fuel economy on this engine is to throttle back just slightly from full rpm. If you were to watch the linkages under the cowl, you want to close the throttle butterflies somwhat, but still have max spark advance on the spark advance rod. You will lose maybe 5 mph, but max out on the fuel economy.

 

[ezeke]

Re: more 1978 115 HP Evinrude questions

edit

 

[sprite115]

Re: more 1978 115 HP Evinrude questions

I have a 74 Rude 115, and dont use that at all, of course we have a 20 gallon tank too....

 

[iwombat]

Re: more 1978 115 HP Evinrude questions

Out for 8 hours and used 35 gal. . .

How much gas would 8 hours of driving your car eat?

Sounds about normal to me.