Boats are thirsty.
I've got two 5.7 315 hp MPI's, in a 30 ft fb cruiser,
So twice the smiles per nautical mile...or knot
Those smiles are priceless too
Isn't gas closer to .5#/hp? Diesel is .4
So...with a 250hp motor, .4*250 = 100 pounds of fuel per hour, 100/6.82 = 14.66 or ~15 gallons an hour? So with an 80 gallon tanks(thats what I got), I should plan for 1.5hours max runtime out following the rule of thirds?
BSFC for diesels are about .333 (range is .300 to .35). I must have stared at about 40,000 fuel curves on Cummins, JD and Cat diesels over the past 25 years. 2-stroke outboards are .5#/HP/hr
I'm retired JD. They spent a lot of time and $$ getting their diesels compliant with EPA Tier 4. ...also had to redesign the machines to find a place to squeeze in the charge air cooler, elaborate EGR, ATD, DEF tank, etc.
From your data have these modifications hurt fuel economy on big diesels?
I understand RR locos and towboat giant diesels must now comply.
Locomotives needed to meet an aggregate average. Since the new diesels were so much cleaner than the T0 EMDs, most fleets only needed to convert 40% to the new motors in the traditional non-attainment areas of LA basin and Texas.
I'm just going to start messaging you directly with my questions LOL
25' boat, and its the Gulf...you live here, you should know what it's like...
What kind of 25 ' boat ? CC / open bow ,DC , WA speed type ,Express cruiser ,Cudy Cabin ? Beam ? Weight. I/O or straight inboard ? How many in your crew when out and about ? Is she propped correctly so that at wot your just under your max rated rpm ? What type of prop are you running ? What's the condition of your bottom . Generally, your best mpg at cruise puts you in the 2900 -3100 rpm range and you may get 1.5 to 2.8 depending on all the variables listed here and on the other replies.
When you say 1.5->2.8 is that "gallons per hour"?
25' Cuddy cabin. 4500 dry weight, but lets assume 6500 full weight(or 7k).(this covers all people on the boat and gear etc)
IO with volvo penta outdrive
Lets assume correct propped
Prop: Stainless steel 14.5-19
Bottom is in great condition