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Author Topic:   Squeezing More Miles to a $5 Gallon of Gas

queenfish posted 07-02-2008 12:13 AM ET (US)
I have a 1985 Outrage 18 with a 2004 150-HP Johnson carburetor motor, not an E-TEC or FICHT. I use it mostly for fishing in the ocean, so 50% of the time I'm running at 25-MPH to get to the grounds then spend 50% of the time at trolling speed 7- to 9-MPH. I'm getting a composite milage of approximately 1.6 MPG and would really like to do better. I have heard about "dolphin" (or maybe it's "porpoise") fins that can be added to the lower unit, but most of all can someone recommend for me the best propeller. Right now, I just run whatever was on it when I got it. I'm not even sure what size it is. At $5 a gallon, if I can shave some gas expense down, I'm sure it would pay for the improvements. I'd appreciate any advice. Thanks. Mark
Peter posted 07-02-2008 07:40 AM ET (US)
I have a very similar setup, 1987 18 Outrage and 2003 Johnson 150. I re-powered the Outrage with this motor last year and really find it to be an outstanding match for the Outrage although it would be nice if its fuel consumption were a bit lower.
I am seeing an average fuel economy of approximately 3.5 MPG. The running mix is about 80 percent cruising between 25 and 30 MPH and 20 percent at no wake speeds (under 5 MPH).
I do not believe that a Doelfin (TM) or equivalent will improve your fuel economy. What is dragging your overall fuel economy down is the trolling at 7 to 9 MPH which is in the lower part of the on-plane transition zone.
I am currently running a 17 inch pitch Mercury Mirage Plus propeller which I have found to be an efficient cruising propeller. However, I would say that running in the turbulent water in the on-plane transition zone is not its strong suit.
jimh posted 07-02-2008 08:06 AM ET (US)
My guess is that your best fuel economy (in terms of miles per gallon) comes when you are running at 25-MPH. At your trolling speed you are not running the motor or boat at an efficient setting. I have an older OMC V6 motor with carburetors, and I find it is most efficient at engine speeds of around 4,000-RPM.
Peter posted 07-02-2008 08:29 AM ET (US)
In my case, 25 MPH comes at approximately 3000-3100 RPM.
Kingsteven18 posted 07-02-2008 09:51 AM ET (US)
Make sure that your bottom (the boat, that is) is clean, slick and waxed if appropriate.
Brian7son posted 07-02-2008 10:27 AM ET (US)
You can immediately reduce your fuel cost by 30-50%. Just take a friend fishing and allow them to kick in for gas. Most are happy to contribute.
I never ask for money. However, now that it costs me over $1,400.00 to fill up my gas tanks. If someone offers, I will thankfully accept a contribution. I have never collected a dime.
TransAm posted 07-02-2008 10:38 AM ET (US)
[Changed TOPIC of discussion; please start another thread if you want to make a substantial change in the topic being discussed. The current topic is methods to improve fuel economy.]
deepwater posted 07-02-2008 01:08 PM ET (US)
a small 5 to 10 hp kicker will sip gas all day,,also remove everything you really don't need ,,ice for the fish can be frozen in a water bottle and you can drink it as it thaws,,you only need the basic safety items and remove all but the life jackets needed ,,one qt of oil,,2 poles and one tackle box reduce your weight
myakka posted 07-02-2008 08:33 PM ET (US)
queenfish
I have the same boat with a merc.150 and my Navman fuel set-up says I'm getting upwards of 4.4 MPG at 4100 rpm(29-31 MPH).I'm down around 3 MPG at 3000 RPM. Its your trolling thats killing you. Get a kicker!
Mike

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Author	Topic: Squeezing More Miles to a $5 Gallon of Gas
queenfish	posted 07-02-2008 12:13 AM ET (US) I have a 1985 Outrage 18 with a 2004 150-HP Johnson carburetor motor, not an E-TEC or FICHT. I use it mostly for fishing in the ocean, so 50% of the time I'm running at 25-MPH to get to the grounds then spend 50% of the time at trolling speed 7- to 9-MPH. I'm getting a composite milage of approximately 1.6 MPG and would really like to do better. I have heard about "dolphin" (or maybe it's "porpoise") fins that can be added to the lower unit, but most of all can someone recommend for me the best propeller. Right now, I just run whatever was on it when I got it. I'm not even sure what size it is. At $5 a gallon, if I can shave some gas expense down, I'm sure it would pay for the improvements. I'd appreciate any advice. Thanks. Mark
Peter	posted 07-02-2008 07:40 AM ET (US) I have a very similar setup, 1987 18 Outrage and 2003 Johnson 150. I re-powered the Outrage with this motor last year and really find it to be an outstanding match for the Outrage although it would be nice if its fuel consumption were a bit lower. I am seeing an average fuel economy of approximately 3.5 MPG. The running mix is about 80 percent cruising between 25 and 30 MPH and 20 percent at no wake speeds (under 5 MPH). I do not believe that a Doelfin (TM) or equivalent will improve your fuel economy. What is dragging your overall fuel economy down is the trolling at 7 to 9 MPH which is in the lower part of the on-plane transition zone. I am currently running a 17 inch pitch Mercury Mirage Plus propeller which I have found to be an efficient cruising propeller. However, I would say that running in the turbulent water in the on-plane transition zone is not its strong suit.
jimh	posted 07-02-2008 08:06 AM ET (US) My guess is that your best fuel economy (in terms of miles per gallon) comes when you are running at 25-MPH. At your trolling speed you are not running the motor or boat at an efficient setting. I have an older OMC V6 motor with carburetors, and I find it is most efficient at engine speeds of around 4,000-RPM.
Peter	posted 07-02-2008 08:29 AM ET (US) In my case, 25 MPH comes at approximately 3000-3100 RPM.
Kingsteven18	posted 07-02-2008 09:51 AM ET (US) Make sure that your bottom (the boat, that is) is clean, slick and waxed if appropriate.
Brian7son	posted 07-02-2008 10:27 AM ET (US) You can immediately reduce your fuel cost by 30-50%. Just take a friend fishing and allow them to kick in for gas. Most are happy to contribute. I never ask for money. However, now that it costs me over $1,400.00 to fill up my gas tanks. If someone offers, I will thankfully accept a contribution. I have never collected a dime.
TransAm	posted 07-02-2008 10:38 AM ET (US) [Changed TOPIC of discussion; please start another thread if you want to make a substantial change in the topic being discussed. The current topic is methods to improve fuel economy.]
deepwater	posted 07-02-2008 01:08 PM ET (US) a small 5 to 10 hp kicker will sip gas all day,,also remove everything you really don't need ,,ice for the fish can be frozen in a water bottle and you can drink it as it thaws,,you only need the basic safety items and remove all but the life jackets needed ,,one qt of oil,,2 poles and one tackle box reduce your weight
myakka	posted 07-02-2008 08:33 PM ET (US) queenfish I have the same boat with a merc.150 and my Navman fuel set-up says I'm getting upwards of 4.4 MPG at 4100 rpm(29-31 MPH).I'm down around 3 MPG at 3000 RPM. Its your trolling thats killing you. Get a kicker! Mike