Fuel consumption question???

[chmath]

I have a 89' 3.0L 130hp mercruiser w/2 barrel carb. 16' bowrider I/O... I was wondering about how many GPH of fuel it should use????At WOT it runs @ 4600 rpm and after about 2-1/2 hrs. it burns about 8-9 gals...Is this normal ???I have been running it in the river with little to no waves and with 2 adults and 1 child. Engine runs great but I was just wondering if this is normal to burn that amount of fuel..<br />I have had this boat for about 6 months so not sure if this is normal...CArb has been rebuilt and motor is very stong, complete tune-up was done just 4 weeks ago.

 

[lindb40530]

Re: Fuel consumption question???

Welcome to boating..... and the gas isn't cheap... I have an 84 OMC 5.0 with a 4 barrel 210 hp on a 17ft bowrider. I could use about 8 gallons over that time, but only if I was going constant pulling skiiers tubing or running WOT .. <br /><br />Need to know what your doing with it....

 

[chmath]

Re: Fuel consumption question???

I am either tubing or just running down the river...The river that I'm running in is very wide and long, There's plenty of room to play around in....I'm paying around a $1.87 per gal. for gas here...So the price isn't to bad....I just thought that the amount of fuel I was useing was a little high considering the flat and glassy water that I'm in...I have already checked for any kind of leaks from all connections and everything is fine.....

 

[Bondo]

Re: Fuel consumption question???

Doesn't Sound exccessive to Me..........

 

[achris]

Re: Fuel consumption question???

Doesn't Sound exccessive to Me..........

Me either. V6 (carbed) in a 20' CC. Cruising at 3000rpm (20 knots) I use about 6.5 gph.<br /><br />The load on a boat engine, cruising, is akin to your car towing your boat up a 1:6 gradient, at 80 mph!<br /><br />Chris.............

 

[kayakndave]

Re: Fuel consumption question???

Are you getting the boat on a plane? Having the boat trimmed out properly can make a difference....

 

[neilmw]

Re: Fuel consumption question???

Your paying $1.87 pg and complaining about fuel consumption......try paying the equivilent to $6.00 pg....that relly hurts trust me!<br />Enough *****ing about the UK fuel price, I have a 3.7lt and I normally cruise at 3200rpm (27mph)and get arould 3.5gph.

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: Fuel consumption question???

My 3.0 uses the same amount on my 16 ft as well. Tubing consumes maximum amounts of fuel(if you run it as fast and aggressive as I do! ) If you are just cruising around 3200 - 3400 rpm it will be at it's peak in fuel economy...basically running fast enough to be on plane. <br /><br />In comparison, kneeboarding with my kids uses way less fuel than tubing because we are runnning around 15 to 20 mph constantly. It feels like you can run forever on very little gas at those speeds.<br /><br />...Think of WOT as kind of like flooring your car all the time. You won't get anywhere near it's posted fuel consumption ratings.

 

[Tufan]

Re: Fuel consumption question???

chmat, there are some stuff you can do. In general boats ALL burn a LOT of gas/diesel. Everybody has a different opinion, many technical words - do this , do that...<br /><br />When I bought my first one - tried my things, some worked some didn't. After a while I just gave up. Now I fill up my 800 gallon diesel tanks, pay the $ 1,300.oo, shake my head - take a deep breath and go fishin...<br /><br />Do you like the boat and boating? Thats all that counts - you'll pay the price.

 

[chmath]

Re: Fuel consumption question???

Thanks to all who posted feedback....My family and I reallly love the boat and all the great fun that we have ..Just got home from another fantastic weekend of 12 hrs. per day on water .Not complaining about the fuel cost was just wondering about how much fuel that I should be useingat WOT..I know that $1.87 per gal. is alot cheaper than most places around the country and the world...