Boat Edumacation

[AnchorNPlay]

I know nothing about props, was wondering if some of you could give me tips on what prop to buy for better gas milage and better speed..if its even possible? I think the prop is just what came withthe boat. The engine is a Mercruiser 302 I believe. Also, is there anything I can do to my engine besides the usual tune up that wont cause me a lot of headaches but still give me good results? I have a cruiser so I am not interested in a blower or anything like that, I already have a racecar for that :)

Appreciate any info....

[kevnmcd]

Very open ended question. IMO, we need a lot more information before we can really answer that question.

- Max RPM and WOT
- Speed at WOT
- Outdrive spec (Bravo 1/bravo 3/or ??)
- Merc 302...haven't heard of that. Could it be a 502 Mag?
- What year is the motor?

My bet is that the boat is probably set up the best it is going to be at this point. You have a very heavy boat and without adding a lot of HP, I don't think you will see much gain for the $$$$.

[kimswang]

OR said in very simple terms (just like racing) "Speed cost money, how fast do you want to go?"

[AnchorNPlay]

ok, I will get you more info tonight. My biggest concern is probably gas milage since I just spent $200 on gas last weekend, I love cruising around so I use a lot.

[kimswang]

$200,- for the week-end??? And you are looking for more?? Wanna swap fuel bill one week-end? I can run my boat for 22 minutes for $200,- !!! Time for another boat for me I think....:chin_scratch::chin_scratch:

[DCfive]

$200,- for the week-end??? And you are looking for more?? Wanna swap fuel bill one week-end? I can run my boat for 22 minutes for $200,- !!! Time for another boat for me I think....:chin_scratch::chin_scratch:

Kim everything you drive/fly sucks alot of fuel.;)

[AnchorNPlay]

$200,- for the week-end??? And you are looking for more?? Wanna swap fuel bill one week-end? I can run my boat for 22 minutes for $200,- !!! Time for another boat for me I think....:chin_scratch::chin_scratch:


easy killer, I am in the mortgage biz... right now is not the best time,lol.

[kimswang]

Kim everything you drive/fly sucks alot of fuel.;)

No kiddin! I can feel it! I am currently looking for an old motorcycle - those things can run a week for what my boat uses in an hour...

I think my lake trips this year will be Calville - Sandy - Wishwell - Sandy Area - Calville and that's it! I am also looking for a fuel monitor system, but have a feeling I will end up making it myself....

Did a run from Boulder beach to Sandy not too long ago in some rough stuff and that's when I got the reminder - I love every inch of running at 50+ MPH in whatever that lake can throw at me. Passed some boats that was obviously having a hard time to stay afloat - and loved my old ledsled even more...:D Hopefully I will get a week-end off in July and get a chance to hang with the crowd, for now we only cruise mid week....

[BADFISH II]

No kiddin! I can feel it! I am currently looking for an old motorcycle - those things can run a week for what my boat uses in an hour...

I think my lake trips this year will be Calville - Sandy - Wishwell - Sandy Area - Calville and that's it! I am also looking for a fuel monitor system, but have a feeling I will end up making it myself....

Did a run from Boulder beach to Sandy not too long ago in some rough stuff and that's when I got the reminder - I love every inch of running at 50+ MPH in whatever that lake can throw at me. Passed some boats that was obviously having a hard time to stay afloat - and loved my old ledsled even more...:D Hopefully I will get a week-end off in July and get a chance to hang with the crowd, for now we only cruise mid week....

I"m thinking of a street bike too now that my lease is up - I just don't drive enough to really justify two cars, but it would be nice to have a ride to here and there when she needs the yukon!

[kimswang]

I"m thinking of a street bike too now that my lease is up - I just don't drive enough to really justify two cars, but it would be nice to have a ride to here and there when she needs the yukon!

My Yukon is for getting to the lake and to work once a week, hardly drive it otherwise... A bike would be cool, I started a thread to have someone find me what I am looking for....

[kimswang]

easy killer, I am in the mortgage biz... right now is not the best time,lol.

Swap to handle forclosures and you should be in paradise....:thumb:

I am trying to sell my house now, but realize it will take another year or so before all the forclosures are out of the market, and I am the optimist....

[kevnmcd]

ok, I will get you more info tonight. My biggest concern is probably gas milage since I just spent $200 on gas last weekend, I love cruising around so I use a lot.

You need to keep in mind that your pushing a lot of weight through the water and it is going to take a lot of fuel to do that, especially if you are looking to do that with any speed. One of the biggest things you can do to save fuel while cruising is keep the rpm's down. Most engines are more economical when rpm's are kept below about 3500. If you are spending most of your time above that number, you might try slowing down just a bit and see how much you save. BUT, if your anything like the rest of us...it's just no fun going that slow! :thumb:

[Essex502]

Generally speaking, I always understood an engine's efficiency - and it's fuel consumption - is at or near its torque peak. This could be found at Mercury Marine's website for the motor that you have. At least you would hope. I've also seen articles in verious boating magazines that right around 3,500 RPM as Kevin mentioned is the best cruising speed/lowest fuel consumption rate. For instance, at 3,500 RPM last weekend we were consuming 17 gal/hour. At 4,000 RPM we were about 23 gal/hour. This with a HP525 in a Howard 28 Bullet. Boat and load inside it also plays a factor as does the hull's efficiency. V Hulls are less efficient, for example, than cat hulls.

Propeller science is really deep but you don't want to mes around too much from the optimum setup.

The true reason the weekend cost so much is the insane prices of fuel.

[kevnmcd]

The true reason the weekend cost so much is the insane prices of fuel.

No doubt...here is what next weekend will more than likely cost me in just fuel alone!

Fuel for truck (towing boat back to Havasu) = $130.00 (providing there is no head wind)
Boat gas = $175.00
Fuel for truck (not towing) = $100.00
Total for weekend = $405.00 :puke:
Cost to spend time on the water/boat and family = PRICELESS! :D

[AnchorNPlay]

ok, basically, just suck it up or strip the boat...

the motor is Mercury 5.0 (305 disp.) Thunderbolt V Ignition with an Alphaone outdrive. I really dont think I am going to mind staying under 3500 rpm's, but we'll see. I just thought that there might be a saving grace like a better pitched prop or dual prop or something that might help save more beer money. Thanks for the input.

[DCfive]

Agree with all the previous posts. IMO keep your boat the way it is, the little bit of increase you would get from changing anything isn't worth the $$$. Generally speaking the production boats are set up for optimal performance for the particular motor/ outdrive combo. Also, as far as I know, you would have to change the drive to have a duo-prop. It would probably take you years to acheive any savings, if any.

[kimswang]

One of the biggest things you can do to save fuel while cruising is keep the rpm's down. Most engines are more economical when rpm's are kept below about 3500.

Nahhh, it is at WOT, think about it! The faster you get there the less fuel the engines has time to consume...:chin_scratch: Don't come and tell me my theory is wrong and that I have to slow down....:D

[AnchorNPlay]

Nahhh, it is at WOT, think about it! The faster you get there the less fuel the engines has time to consume...:chin_scratch: Don't come and tell me my theory is wrong and that I have to slow down....:D

I like this theory best, so I may just have to figure a way to put another motor in there to get to the destination twice as fast....

[kevnmcd]

Nahhh, it is at WOT, think about it! The faster you get there the less fuel the engines has time to consume...:chin_scratch: Don't come and tell me my theory is wrong and that I have to slow down....:D

okay!

[hACk]

I have to say i agree with kimswang! I say trim it out till you get max speed at WOT and hold on! Faster you go, faster you get there, less time to burn fuel, and it just a hell of a lot more fun! :crazy: