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Typical mileage for Merc 225p 2-stroke?
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ContinuousWave Whaler Moderated Discussion Areas
ContinuousWave: Whaler Performance
Typical mileage for Merc 225p 2-stroke?
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| Author | Topic: Typical mileage for Merc 225p 2-stroke? |
| Frank O |
posted 03-08-2007 01:37 PM ET (US)  
I'm in the process of looking at my gas records and logs to try to figure out typical gas mileage I'm getting with the 1994 Mercury 3.0 Offshore 225hp 2-stroke outboard on my 1995 Outrage 21 with custom T-top. I'd be curious, though, going into this: Could anyone wager any very rough ballpark range guesses for what sort of mileage would be typical with this engine/boat? I spend most of my (short) trips around 25 mph ferrying four divers with 60-80 pounds of gear each. |
| gss036 |
posted 03-08-2007 05:02 PM ET (US)
I would estimate 2 +/- miles per gallon if carbed maybe another 1/2 mpg if EFI. |
| JMARTIN |
posted 03-08-2007 06:11 PM ET (US)
2.3 mpg assuming your boat's dry weight is 1600 pounds. John |
| Tom W Clark |
posted 03-08-2007 08:44 PM ET (US)
I would guess 2.5 statute miles to the gallon or better. |
| Frank O |
posted 03-08-2007 09:55 PM ET (US)
Thanks much. It's a little hard to estimate from my limited data set, but at this point it's looking like slightly better than 2.5 mpg. Any thoughts on whether this outboard would be able to handle an NMEA 2000 fuel flow sensor in its gas line? |
| alb1661 |
posted 03-09-2007 05:37 PM ET (US)
I had a 1999 225 merc EFI on a 20' Grady. I never got better than 1.5 MPG. Now,I have a 190 Nantucket with a 115 4 stroke @ 6+ mpg. That motor (225)is very thristy. Steve |
| rtk |
posted 03-12-2007 04:15 PM ET (US)
I have the same boat, big t-top and all, but with a 2003 Mercury 250EFI. Relatively calm wind days, 25-30 mph, moderate load, I usually get 2.5 mpg. I have read up to 3 mpg with the wind from my stern and lighter loads. 2-2.5 mpg normal under most conditions. So I would think around 2.5 mpg under normal conditions for your boat is a good estimate. I really don't think your engine is a problem for the fuel sensor. I can't think of a reason why you couldn't use a NEMA 2000 fuel sensor, I don't think the engine cares. I would just check with the manufacturer to make sure you get the right sensor for your application. Rich |
| Sal DiMercurio |
posted 03-12-2007 07:32 PM ET (US)
I'm sorry, but I think you guys are dreaming at 2.5 mpg with 4 guys & 60 - 80 lbs of dive gear "EACH". Those carbed 225s are gas hogs from the word go. The EFI should get 2.5 or better, but it's wishfull thinking for the carbed to even get 2 mpg with that load. Since when does a 1995 - 21ft outrage weigh only 1600 lbs. My 1979 "V"20 weighs 1600 lbs. That 225 might get 2.5 mpg "without" those 4 guys & their 60 - 80 lbs of gear on "very calm waters" & cruising at 25 mph. Sal |
| fishinchips |
posted 03-12-2007 08:15 PM ET (US)
carb 225's are thirsty engines. Expect .5 to 1.5 mpg depending on throttle position. If its a dfi motor, then expect 2+ to about 3 mpg for that setup. Ken |
| tmann45 |
posted 03-12-2007 08:21 PM ET (US)
Some numbers from 1996 Outrage 21 with 1998 Mercury 200 carb. Fuel burn is from tank fills and FloScan (calibration +/- 3.3% low). Some of this is light, 1-person, 25-gallons fuel. Some of it is heavy, 3-persons (650+ lbs), 110-gal fuel (700-lbs), 30-gal in bait tank (250 lbs), 100 lbs ice and gear. Some in smooth conditions, some in 3-4 footers. Running light FloScan shows 3.6 mpg between 4000-4200 rpm and better than 3.0 mpg between 3200-4800 rpm. Boat 2500 lbs Miles Hrs Burn MPG GPH MPH Tom |
| WT |
posted 03-12-2007 08:27 PM ET (US)
FrankO: I'm assuming because you live in Pasadena, Ca that you'll be boating in between Santa Cruz Island and San Clemente Island. I'll guess that with your 4 divers and gear you'll get 1 mpg in 3-5 foot swells heading out to Catalina Island and back. Warren |
| JMARTIN |
posted 03-12-2007 10:39 PM ET (US)
http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/specifications. html#hulls20-22 This is where I got the 1600 pounds. It does not show the 1995 model year. So, how much does this boat weigh? You got four divers plus thier gear and you driving, right? Now we need the boat weight. John |
| Tom W Clark |
posted 03-12-2007 11:13 PM ET (US)
John, The boat Frank O has is completely different than the old 21 foot "banana" hull. The Reference Page you cited does not even list the 1995 Outrage 21 nor any of the other Outrage 21s that have been produced by Boston Whaler. Frank O's 1995 Outrage 21 has a specified hull weight of 2500 pounds, according to the 1995 Boston Whaler catalog. Check your catalog collection. |
| JMARTIN |
posted 03-13-2007 11:52 AM ET (US)
Catalog collection? I have no idea what you are talking about. I revise my figure, the 1995 21 Outrage weighs more than my Revenge and he his putting 4 guys and gear on board. He will be lucky to see 2.0 mpg. John |
| jimh |
posted 03-13-2007 02:22 PM ET (US)
I have a similar outboard motor: 3.0-liter displacement; two-stroke, carburetor fuel induction: V6. While not exactly the same motor, I do not believe the rate of fuel consumption is hugely different from the Mercury motor. I have a similar boat: Revenge 22 W-T WD. While not exactly the same boat, it is of similar weight and length, and I do not believe the hulls are hugely different in terms of the Crouch HULL FACTOR, which is a measure of how easily the boat is driven at planing speeds. With my boat and motor the optimum fuel economy is 2.2-MPG. This is measured with some precision using a GPS to determine speed and a fuel flow transducer to determine flow rate. On a seasonal basis, measuring total miles traveled and total gallons used, the average fuel economy is 1.85-MPG. Many people cite an optimistic number for their fuel economy, but I tend to think that the figure is often influenced by a bit of hubris, and, if careful measurements were taken, the actual fuel economy might not be as good as is often reported. |
| Frank O |
posted 03-13-2007 04:22 PM ET (US)
Very interesting discussion, thanks everybody. As Tom points out, my '95 boat is different from the classic Outrage 21's, but his weight figure sounds right; to answer Warren's questions, most of my trips so far have been around Palos Verdes in fairly flat conditions (swell under 4 ft). Many divers are pushing 200 pounds in weight, whereas others weigh less than 100 pounds. I forgot to mention that the outboard is carbureted. I'll know better after my next gas fill-up, but a back-of-the envelope estimate based on looking at the gas gauge (yes, I kow they can be wrong) vs. the mileage logged since the last fill-up suggests I've gotten right around 2.5 statute miles per gallon. Without replacing the entire outboard, are there any other mods I can make to tweak the mileage (apart from throwing some divers and/or gear overboard)? For example, right now I'm running the Laser II 19-pitch prop that came with the boat, but am thinking of trying a Revolution 4 (pitch to be determined) -- would that be likely to help? |
| Sal DiMercurio |
posted 03-13-2007 06:15 PM ET (US)
Franko, what is the maximum rpms you can twist with that load? If I'm not mistaken, that engine is rated at either 5800 rpms or 6000. I have the feeling that engine isn't twisting over 5100 rpms which means your over propped for how your using that rig. I feel if your not turning at least 5200 rpms, you should drop down to a 17 pitch prop, which would allow the engine to work less while pushing that load. With less pitch, your rig will get on plane easier & plane at a lower rpm. I don't think your looking to break any speed records, & your main concern is just getting better fuel economy, & I think a 17p can help. Sal |
| rtk |
posted 03-13-2007 07:49 PM ET (US)
Frank, regarding propeller style and fuel economy, on my boat with the 250EFI, the Mirage Plus 19 pitch was best for fuel economy. It ran very well with the Mirage Plus, excellent propeller for the boat/motor combination. I also run a REV4 17 pitch. The REV4 is a bit less efficient from 25-35 mph speed(.25-.5 mpg). But handling and ride is much better. I frequent the ocean also, so ride is important to me. The boat planes quicker and stays on plane at a lower boat speed (couple mph slower- +/-2to3, and lower engine rpms to plane- 2800 vs 3000). The boat just rides better- feels like there is a bit less boat in the water, much less pounding in chop and seas. I haven't tested my LaserII 19 pitch with the new engine, so I don't know how efficient that ran compared to the Mirage and REV4. I had the same engine you have on my hull before I repowered, a 1997 Mercury 225 carbed, rigged with the 19 pitch LaserII. The boat performed great with that combo, only a couple mph slower than my boat with the 250 (46 vs 50 mph). My wide open throttle rpms were around 5400, right in the middle of the 5000-5800 manufacturer's limits. So I do think the prop you are running is appropriate, you should reach around 5400 rpms at wide open throttle with full fuel and light passenger/gear load, good conditions. If you can get your hands on a 17 pitch REV4 or Mirage Plus I would try them. The Mirage Plus should run a bit slower (max rpms) then the LaserII, I don't know if you can turn a 19 pitch Mirage the same rpms as the LaserII. I have a prop you should try out. It is a 4 blade stainless steel PowerTec propeller. Large diameter propeller like the Mirage but 4 blades vs 3. I loved it, but pitch was too small. It is a 16 pitch. PowerTec's recommendation for sizing is 17 pitch = their 16 pitch for this style propeller. I hit my rev limiter with this prop on the 250, but it performed well. Just too small. Might be a good match for your 225, and the occasional load you carry. If you want to test it let me know. Rich |
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