fuel economy on 23' WAC

[qzone83]

Does anyone have any idea as to what my best fuel milage could be? I have a 1988 23' SeaOx WAC with a 3.0 OMC Seadrive (same as a 3.0 Evinrude). I am trying to get a general idea of the range of the boat. I have a 116 GAL tank.

I understand that this engine is a pig and loves the gas and that the boat is very heavy and loves to drink the gas too. But its what I got and I really like it. Just dont have a flowscan (YET) and would like to have an idea of the kind of fuel economy I can expect.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: fuel economy on 23' WAC

One thing you can count on is that the engine will burn 10% of its rated HP in gallons per hour at wide open throttle. If you use the 1/3 of a fuel load out, 1/3 for the return, and 1/3 in reserve method, you can do the math on what the range is AT WIDE OPEN THROTTLE and whatever speed that provides. If you are a risk taker, then 1/2 out and 1/2 return with no reserve is the risk you take. That is your worst case and that's what you should plan for -- not the best case. At 2/3 throttle you will burn less fuel but you are also covering less water so you need to run longer. At that throttle setting you may be in the 8% of HP range. On a large boat I strongly suggest the addition of a fuel flow monitor. Without that instrument, you must rely on an inaccurate fuel gauge, and inaccurate speedometer and your watch to determine "rough" MPG. You won't know what the true MPG really was until you complete the trip, determine the distance traveled and refuel.

 

[dvandsm64]

Re: fuel economy on 23' WAC

they're all gas hogs. i've had 2 50+hp. outboards. and they were terrible. so we opted for a v-8 io. and it is just as bad, ha ha.