Fuel Burn in GPH for 4.3L
 

I was hoping some of you guys can provide some insight into how much fuel we are buring per hour with a Mercruiser 4.3L Alpha One. My Diablo is a 93 and the fuel gauge is inacurate at best.
I typically run just on a plane at about 20 mph for an economy cruise but when the lake is smooth its wide open and trimmed for max speed.
Went out last weekend with a new friend and we were out for about 6 hours running about half the time and it took 12 gallons.
This surprized me because the week before it only took 7 gallons for a similar day.
At least my new friend likes the camera and so do I
Enjoy.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/3888301...7619058563889/

Re: Fuel Burn in GPH for 4.3L
 

Its hard to be much help with the GPH. My boat is very sensitive to RPM, trim, chop, and pretty much everything else. I have never been able to get a consistant reading on it.

However, I am glad your friend likes the camera.:wink_thumbup:

Re: Fuel Burn in GPH for 4.3L
 

Rick- I used to have a Sea Ray 180 with the 4.3L engine. It had relatively the same size tank as the Mariah, and the weights are within a few hundred pounds. I stuck around the same speeds as you, and would only occasionally open it up, when the water was like glass, and I was getting roughly the same as you.

Short of adding a fuel flow gauge or a GPS with fuel monitoring capability, (they're all at least $400 - which buys a lot of gas!), there's really no way to accurately judge the GPH. To maximize your fuel economy, just make sure your boat is trimmed properly, make sure your carb is tuned, engine's in good shape, the prop is balanced and the correct pitch. I'd say just enjoy it, your tank's small and your boat gets pretty good fuel economy! At least you're not filling up a huge tank for a big block, like a lot of us are...

Oh, and by the way, I totally want to go boating with you. :eek_animated: :yes_grin:

Re: Fuel Burn in GPH for 4.3L
 

I believe it was the extra weight of the bikini... Remove and run the test again.. Sorry, I couldn't help it:wink_thumbup:

Re: Fuel Burn in GPH for 4.3L
 

LOL!!!:yes_grin:

Re: Fuel Burn in GPH for 4.3L
 

Wow, with scenery like that who cares if you run out of fuel? ;)

Have you seen the sticky thread on the fuel gauge stabilizer mod? It may help you out if you find your gauge is bouncing around a lot.

Re: Fuel Burn in GPH for 4.3L
 

There was a boat !?!?... What boat.. ?? I didn't see any boat...!!:yes_grin:

Re: Fuel Burn in GPH for 4.3L
 

I did some test runs yesterday with the bikini on and off... yes it made a difference but I forgot to look at the gauge... and all those boats that were running along side made it difficult to get a stable speed!

Re: Fuel Burn in GPH for 4.3L
 

And you didn't let us all know in advance when and where you were going boating!?!?! :yes_grin:

Re: Fuel Burn in GPH for 4.3L
 

Pictures....We want to see the pictures of the retest! :yes_grin:

Re: Fuel Burn in GPH for 4.3L
 

Four Winns website is awesome. It will show every model, engine, and prop combintion at the RPMS in 500rpm increments at what speed and the GPH. I used it to compare boats.

Re: Fuel Burn in GPH for 4.3L
 

We need pictures of the second test to be able to scientifically exam the results! :yes_grin: :wink_thumbup:

I have at times been able to make several trips to the lake without adding gas (and I don't run much at slower speeds). I have also used as many as 3 tanks of gas in one day at Lake Texoma (huge lake - and I made several trips around it).

I don't tend to conserve gas (forgive me oh tree huggers) as I like to hear the 4 barrel kick in. I will even hit the button to lift the deck when I do a hole shot just to hear it :D

Re: Fuel Burn in GPH for 4.3L
 

1994 182 Barchetta with 4.3L Mercruiser, 4 bbl. carb and High-5 prop. (Don't know the pitch.) Cruised for 2-1/2 hours yesterday and about an hour bringing her around to the slip last Friday. About 2 hours was at 1000 RPM getting between slip and lake (it's a long haul), and in another no-wake zone. The other 1-1/2 hours was planed-out at 2700-3300 RPM - mostly 3000 RPM. Tank was filled before we splashed. Gauge is now bouncing between 7/8 and full.

Jim