Question from a brand new boater

[Blasanch92]

I have a 1984 Wellcraft 180 American with a 4-cylinder 140 horsepower engine with a 21 gallon fuel tank how many miles will I be able to get out of one fuel tank I just want to figure this out because the summer I plan on riding Lake Michigan periodically traveling from Gary Indiana to Chicago so I want to try and figure out my average fuel consumption or how much on average I should be getting that way I don't run out of fuel any professional advice or if anyone possibly knows what my boat should get I would really appreciate it.

 

[racerone]

Use 10 gallon / hr at cruising speed of say 3500 RPM

 

[Alumarine]

With my 140 and my boat, gear and people at about 3000lb I can get 95 miles on 21 gallons going 3200-3500 rpm at approx 24mph.

 

[Blasanch92]

Thank you gentlemen I appreciate it I just want to be sure that I am prepared when the spring comes around I will also bring on a 5 gallon back up gas container just to be safe thank you guys

 

[FunInDuhSun]

Also, I’d like to add this: as a general rule you should plan your fuel use by the 1/3 rule (as they do in aviation).
-1/3 to your destination (or another fuel source)
-1/3 for your return
-1/3 in reserve

 

[Grub54891]

Yeah, I got 54 miles last year on less than half a tank, 17.5 Larson bowrider. However I was varying my speed as I was mostly sightseeing. Always plan on bad weather. Once it kicked up on lake superior, I had to head in into 4-5 foot swells. At a quarter tank and all the pounding, the gauge quit working. Had me a bit worried about getting in. The only place I could beach was nothing but rocks. Made it back wet but OK. After that I'd only leave the dock with a full tank.

 

[Old Ironmaker]

Yeah, I got 54 miles last year on less than half a tank, 17.5 Larson bowrider. However I was varying my speed as I was mostly sightseeing. Always plan on bad weather. Once it kicked up on lake superior, I had to head in into 4-5 foot swells. At a quarter tank and all the pounding, the gauge quit working. Had me a bit worried about getting in. The only place I could beach was nothing but rocks. Made it back wet but OK. After that I'd only leave the dock with a full tank.

If you substitute Superior with Erie and 4-5 foot swells with pea soup fog and we had the same trip. Without GPS I would have been smashed on the rocks for sure. Everyone says I could have just anchored where we were. We were smack dab in the shipping lanes for lake freighters just outside a main port for them.

Always a great idea to have some back up fuel onboard for long trips. That's a long jaunt in a small boat on a big Great Lake. Plan, plan, plan then make a backup plan.

 

[roffey]

Also, I’d like to add this: as a general rule you should plan your fuel use by the 1/3 rule (as they do in aviation).
-1/3 to your destination (or another fuel source)
-1/3 for your return
-1/3 in reserve

great advice... I try to not let my boat go down below half a tank... gas gauges and speedometer are not all that accurate, dont trust them until you get to know your boat.

 

[dingbat]

Lessons I’ve learned over the years:

You can never have too much fuel onboard.

The 1/3, 1/3, 1/3 rule isn’t a suggestion

Fuel level gauges are inaccurate at best.

Something as simple as a change in wind direction can double your fuel consumption.

Rough water and fuel tanks low on fuel (contaminated fuel tank) don’t play well together.

Running out of fuel (or breaking down) in rough water conditions is downright dangerous unless you can keep the bow into the waves. Most people carry nowhere close to enough anchor line for the depths traveled

 

[Old Ironmaker]

I have a miracle boat. The gas tank shows full until it isn't. Reminds me to get that float replaced. I'm like that Shoemakers children that have no shoes. I work on pals boats and neglect mine. I have the new float in my boating stuff bag, no good there.

 

[Davetowz]

I 'd suggest running near shore not straying too far from home and run a tank or 2 to get avg fuel rate for your boat. Before I took off to cross the lake. Our Great Lakes like to change fast and as someone else said weather can drastically increase fuel burn. Never enough. I am adding a 30 gal tank to my Thompson 210 in addition to the original 64gal just for that reason. I often make 30 mile runs out into lake Erie. Enjoy the Boat!

 

[Old Ironmaker]

Are you seriously thinking about crossing Lake Michigan in that boat? I have been fishing the Great Lakes for over 40 years. The only suggestion I can give you is don't even think about it. That is a small boat not designed for big water. Plus it's very, very old. 27 years past it's best before date.

edit: OK I just Google mapped Gary and Chicago. Stay close to shore, very close and heed your wind and weather sites like Windfinder and Sail flow. closely. Predominate winds then will be NW. I personally wouldn't think about doing that trip myself. Maybe 30 years ago. I was much braver and had less experience to tell me not to do it. Good luck, be safe.