MPG's of a late 80's 115 merc tower of poweeeerrr?!

[jeffconnell12]

Hey guys, what kind of mileage would i be getting with this motor .. on this particular boat, probably loaded wit 3-5 guys/girls. Boating in the ocean on the west coast (if that makes any sort of difference)

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/pml/boa/2610473682.html

thanks!

 

[mr 88]

Re: MPG's of a late 80's 115 merc tower of poweeeerrr?!

It all depends on your cruising speed.Water activities like skiing and tubing will translate to less gas mileage. You will get anywhere from 3 to 4+ mpg.I would get a tach on the engine with 3-4 people on board and see where it's at vs the recommended RPMs.This will tell you if it propped correctly and that has a big effect on your MPG's and performance.3-4 mpg does not seem like a lot but you do not put the miles on a boat like a car...Great engine and be sure to add Sea Foam to the gas once in a while and if the timing is at factory specs run mid grade or premium fuel.

 

[high'n'dry]

Re: MPG's of a late 80's 115 merc tower of poweeeerrr?!

I used to have that engine, great engine but it did go through gas much faster than my current Mercury Optimax 150. I would say that comparatively that 115 was more like an 85 that used fuel like a modern 300.

As to that boat, when you say "boating in the ocean" and I look at that boat, not sure I can recommend that. The boat appears to not be self bailing and probably is severely capable of going deep six. That is not a boat meant for use on the ocean, a smooth inlet or lake, sure, the "ocean", no, no way.

Also, the 3,000 dollars, way over priced. Apparently somebody has not understood we are in a near depression. I would not pay more than 900 dollars for it. For 3,000 dollars you should be able to find something a little more substantial but perhaps needing some TLC. Of course, the boat in the add looks like a major TLC sponge to me.

 

[Philster]

Re: MPG's of a late 80's 115 merc tower of poweeeerrr?!

You can boat all day on 12-15 gallons with 3-4 people. If you have 5-6 people, and toss in water sports, 15-18 gallons might not last the day.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: MPG's of a late 80's 115 merc tower of poweeeerrr?!

I had the last 115 of the tower series; bought it new registered as an '89 but folks herein said it's last year of mfgr. was '88. Had it on a 17+' Ranger with a deep V pad hull, heavy boat but on pad it was light as a feather. I got exceptional fuel economy with that boat. I could go out all day on a 10 gallon tank (size of the oem built in tank) and have enough gas left over to almost go out again. It was direct charged, not looped, and the direct charging certainly helped the mpg. Much more economical than an OMC cross flow 125 I had years earlier.

Can't say what would happen if you loaded it up with a low performance hull, lots of weight, and working it in high waves at lower speeds. Course if you propped it correctly to put it in the upper end of it's power band, no reason why it's performance wouldn't be just stellar.

Can't compare it to old cross flows (even though I did), nor today's fuel injected and all. Technology has come so far in the last 40 years. Butttttt would take you a lot of tanks of gas to burn up the difference in price between it and a new one.

Oh, in the 7 years I had it I changed plugs once and replaced the water jacket cover (over the head) once.....nuttin else....beat that for reliability. I ran it at 6000 rpms most of the time too. And that was before I knew to put any fuel additives in it, like Sea Foam which I use currently....course fuel was different then.

My 2c,

Mark

 

[shrew]

Re: MPG's of a late 80's 115 merc tower of poweeeerrr?!

The add is a bit odd. He's selling the boat, giving away a Seadoo (no pics of the SeaDoo) AND he's also selling a camper? When you read it, it's not clear whether the camper is $3K, the boat is $3K......Both?.......Each? $3K seems a little pricey for that 'classic' boat.