The 90-HP Outboard With Best Fuel Economy - Moderated Discussion Areas

  ContinuousWave
  Whaler
  Moderated Discussion Areas
  ContinuousWave: Whaler Performance
  The 90-HP Outboard With Best Fuel Economy

search | FAQ | profile | register | author help

Author Topic:   The 90-HP Outboard With Best Fuel Economy

lastmango posted 10-28-2008 10:44 AM ET (US)
I would like to know what kind of gas mileage (MPG) is best out of all the 90-HP brands. Repowering my 1986 17' montauk. Thanks to all!
Tohsgib posted 10-28-2008 11:25 AM ET (US)
Too broad a range. If you mean 4 strokes, they are all about the same. If you mean E-tec or Optimax, they are about the same. If conventional 90hp 2 strokes, the Yamaha would probably be the best but weakest. Also depends on how you drive. If you drive WFO all the time it does not matter much what you have on the transom.
L H G posted 10-28-2008 02:24 PM ET (US)
I would bet, by reports here on the 170 Montauk, that the Merc 90 4-stroke is the most powerful, and close to best fuel mileage also. I would put the Optimax 90 and Honda 90 up there in the top mileage categories also. Sure would be nice if you'd buy American in these difficult days and keep a few people in this country working.
jimh posted 10-28-2008 09:21 PM ET (US)
I bet that LHG would make the same bet without any reports.
:-)

There are so many engines available at 90-HP that it is impossible to say which has the best fuel economy. My guess: a naturally aspirated four-cycle engine with fuel-injection or a direct-injection two-cycle. That cuts it down to about six or seven choices.
Tohsgib posted 10-28-2008 11:56 PM ET (US)
My bet is the Merc would blow up!
Erik 88Montauk posted 10-29-2008 11:53 AM ET (US)
Nick, is that with or without any reports?
Seriously, the discussion of repowering has come up many times. While the price of gas has made many of us consider MPG when choosing boat engines (or other engine driven anythings) I don't think this is the most important thing to consider. As Jim says, "My guess: a naturally aspirated four-cycle engine with fuel-injection or a direct-injection two-cycle." This really leaves alot of choices.
The real factor in repowering, as many have said before, is the availability and quality of service for that engine.
If you have an older two stroke on the boat now, any of the newer engines will be a pleasant surprise in terms of gas usage.
If you don't tow (skiers, tubers, etc.) and don't have the need for serious speed then a smaller engine like a 50hp might be a better choice if gas savings is really important.
fourdfish posted 10-29-2008 07:32 PM ET (US)
You can set your clock on LHG(Larry's) recommendation.
No facts, Just opinions. Notice, He did not even mention the E-TEC. It would upset his opinion. However, the E-TEC is made right here in the good ole USA.
lastmango
We have some threads here with E-TEC fuel data on a Montauk. Do a search.
frontier posted 10-29-2008 10:01 PM ET (US)
Evinrude E-TEC is a good motor, but are they a good value?
I can't get over how expensive they are.
Ed's pricing:
90 Evinrude ETEC - $6800.00
90 Yamaha 4-Stroke - $6100.00
90 Yamaha 2-Stroke - $5000.00
Now that we know the 90 Yamaha 2-Stroke is available for at least another year, still seems to me like the best choice for Classic 17 repower.
Quality, price and low weight.
number9 posted 10-30-2008 03:14 AM ET (US)
Agree about a 50 hp for MPG, maybe consider 60 to 75 range. This spring put a Yamaha T50TLR High Thrust which runs same K series props as the F75 to F115 on my '84 18" Outrage. The F/T50 & 60 weigh more than a hundred pounds less that the F75 & 90. By virtue of there smaller cu. in. displacements it's impossible for them to burn much fuel. According to Yamaha the T50 at WOT has a max fuel burn of 4.57 gal. My WOT is 28 MPH, imagine what the burn is at 20 to 23 MPH.
Your burn would be less and WOT higher so if you don't need the speed but still want to pull a skier you should consider one of the High Thrust, Big Foot or a Suzuki, they all have a lower gear ratio to get up up quick.
If you haven't already, punch your numbers into Crouch's Calculator and you'll see the relatively small MPH increases between a 50 and 90 when you add the additional weight.
lastmango posted 10-30-2008 10:49 AM ET (US)
I'm just looking for an average mpg. When I go out for the day, the motor is at WOT only for about 5-10 minute,2-3 times that day. The rest of the time it is run at 3500-4000 rpm's. I,ve had a 2007 Yamaha 90,2S and it got on average 5 MPG.This 17' that I have now has the original 86 johnson 90hp on it. It gets right at the same MPG that the newer yamaha 2s did. So I was wondering if some of you had any idea of what mpg you are getting with your 4 strokes or E-TEC's, by how far you go on your gps, verses yor fill up when you come back to the dock. I know this is not exact mileage, but it is close enough to make a decision on a new motor.Thanks for your imput!
Tohsgib posted 10-30-2008 12:07 PM ET (US)
My 17 Newtauk with 70 Suzuki 4S got between 10-12mpg at cruise of 24-26mph. 1000rpm troll was over 25mpg.
contender posted 10-30-2008 02:39 PM ET (US)
Frontier is correct I would go with the 2 stroke Yamaha, you already start out with $1100.00 of fuel and I think a lot better engine for that size whaler... This is a no brainier.
Tohsgib posted 10-30-2008 02:50 PM ET (US)
With th ethanol problems I am seeing in FL w/carbs...no thanks. EFI or bust.
zotcha posted 10-30-2008 03:09 PM ET (US)
I have to agree with Bigs...no more freaking carbs. Sinc-n-link? Rebuild kits? Varnished bowls? Nah. No thanks.
Four stroke injected. No priming fuel line bulbs, no choke/enrichener, no flooding, virtually no warm up time (unless you're as anal as I am about this), no mixing, no oil, no funnel, no rags, absolutely no smoke, and so damn quiet you'll be peeing twice as often as ever just from listening to the telltale stream. Did I mention QUIET? As reliable as either of my Toyotas, always.
Wish someone could have convinced me of this before buying my 2002 (CARBED) Harley. Just my .02. zotcha.
fourdfish posted 10-30-2008 05:03 PM ET (US)
lastmango- You should be aware that you will need to go with all new controls if you buy another brand other than an E-TEC.
Just something to remember when you price the different engines. With the E-TEC, all you will need is a new tach.
an86carrera posted 10-30-2008 07:28 PM ET (US)
Some people do it for the enviroment.
Len
Tohsgib posted 10-31-2008 09:43 AM ET (US)
Green peace run huge diesels!
djd35de posted 10-31-2008 10:47 PM ET (US)
My guess would be the new Honda 90 with lean burn system. I believe its the only engine with a air-fuel ratio sensor.
David

Hop to:

Contact Us | RETURN to ContinuousWave Top Page

Powered by: Ultimate Bulletin Board, Freeware Version 2000
Purchase our Licensed Version- which adds many more features!
© Infopop Corporation (formerly Madrona Park, Inc.), 1998 - 2000.

Author	Topic: The 90-HP Outboard With Best Fuel Economy
lastmango	posted 10-28-2008 10:44 AM ET (US) I would like to know what kind of gas mileage (MPG) is best out of all the 90-HP brands. Repowering my 1986 17' montauk. Thanks to all!
Tohsgib	posted 10-28-2008 11:25 AM ET (US) Too broad a range. If you mean 4 strokes, they are all about the same. If you mean E-tec or Optimax, they are about the same. If conventional 90hp 2 strokes, the Yamaha would probably be the best but weakest. Also depends on how you drive. If you drive WFO all the time it does not matter much what you have on the transom.
L H G	posted 10-28-2008 02:24 PM ET (US) I would bet, by reports here on the 170 Montauk, that the Merc 90 4-stroke is the most powerful, and close to best fuel mileage also. I would put the Optimax 90 and Honda 90 up there in the top mileage categories also. Sure would be nice if you'd buy American in these difficult days and keep a few people in this country working.
jimh	posted 10-28-2008 09:21 PM ET (US) I bet that LHG would make the same bet without any reports. :-) There are so many engines available at 90-HP that it is impossible to say which has the best fuel economy. My guess: a naturally aspirated four-cycle engine with fuel-injection or a direct-injection two-cycle. That cuts it down to about six or seven choices.
Tohsgib	posted 10-28-2008 11:56 PM ET (US) My bet is the Merc would blow up!
Erik 88Montauk	posted 10-29-2008 11:53 AM ET (US) Nick, is that with or without any reports? Seriously, the discussion of repowering has come up many times. While the price of gas has made many of us consider MPG when choosing boat engines (or other engine driven anythings) I don't think this is the most important thing to consider. As Jim says, "My guess: a naturally aspirated four-cycle engine with fuel-injection or a direct-injection two-cycle." This really leaves alot of choices. The real factor in repowering, as many have said before, is the availability and quality of service for that engine. If you have an older two stroke on the boat now, any of the newer engines will be a pleasant surprise in terms of gas usage. If you don't tow (skiers, tubers, etc.) and don't have the need for serious speed then a smaller engine like a 50hp might be a better choice if gas savings is really important.
fourdfish	posted 10-29-2008 07:32 PM ET (US) You can set your clock on LHG(Larry's) recommendation. No facts, Just opinions. Notice, He did not even mention the E-TEC. It would upset his opinion. However, the E-TEC is made right here in the good ole USA. lastmango We have some threads here with E-TEC fuel data on a Montauk. Do a search.
frontier	posted 10-29-2008 10:01 PM ET (US) Evinrude E-TEC is a good motor, but are they a good value? I can't get over how expensive they are. Ed's pricing: 90 Evinrude ETEC - $6800.00 90 Yamaha 4-Stroke - $6100.00 90 Yamaha 2-Stroke - $5000.00 Now that we know the 90 Yamaha 2-Stroke is available for at least another year, still seems to me like the best choice for Classic 17 repower. Quality, price and low weight.
number9	posted 10-30-2008 03:14 AM ET (US) Agree about a 50 hp for MPG, maybe consider 60 to 75 range. This spring put a Yamaha T50TLR High Thrust which runs same K series props as the F75 to F115 on my '84 18" Outrage. The F/T50 & 60 weigh more than a hundred pounds less that the F75 & 90. By virtue of there smaller cu. in. displacements it's impossible for them to burn much fuel. According to Yamaha the T50 at WOT has a max fuel burn of 4.57 gal. My WOT is 28 MPH, imagine what the burn is at 20 to 23 MPH. Your burn would be less and WOT higher so if you don't need the speed but still want to pull a skier you should consider one of the High Thrust, Big Foot or a Suzuki, they all have a lower gear ratio to get up up quick. If you haven't already, punch your numbers into Crouch's Calculator and you'll see the relatively small MPH increases between a 50 and 90 when you add the additional weight.
lastmango	posted 10-30-2008 10:49 AM ET (US) I'm just looking for an average mpg. When I go out for the day, the motor is at WOT only for about 5-10 minute,2-3 times that day. The rest of the time it is run at 3500-4000 rpm's. I,ve had a 2007 Yamaha 90,2S and it got on average 5 MPG.This 17' that I have now has the original 86 johnson 90hp on it. It gets right at the same MPG that the newer yamaha 2s did. So I was wondering if some of you had any idea of what mpg you are getting with your 4 strokes or E-TEC's, by how far you go on your gps, verses yor fill up when you come back to the dock. I know this is not exact mileage, but it is close enough to make a decision on a new motor.Thanks for your imput!
Tohsgib	posted 10-30-2008 12:07 PM ET (US) My 17 Newtauk with 70 Suzuki 4S got between 10-12mpg at cruise of 24-26mph. 1000rpm troll was over 25mpg.
contender	posted 10-30-2008 02:39 PM ET (US) Frontier is correct I would go with the 2 stroke Yamaha, you already start out with $1100.00 of fuel and I think a lot better engine for that size whaler... This is a no brainier.
Tohsgib	posted 10-30-2008 02:50 PM ET (US) With th ethanol problems I am seeing in FL w/carbs...no thanks. EFI or bust.
zotcha	posted 10-30-2008 03:09 PM ET (US) I have to agree with Bigs...no more freaking carbs. Sinc-n-link? Rebuild kits? Varnished bowls? Nah. No thanks. Four stroke injected. No priming fuel line bulbs, no choke/enrichener, no flooding, virtually no warm up time (unless you're as anal as I am about this), no mixing, no oil, no funnel, no rags, absolutely no smoke, and so damn quiet you'll be peeing twice as often as ever just from listening to the telltale stream. Did I mention QUIET? As reliable as either of my Toyotas, always. Wish someone could have convinced me of this before buying my 2002 (CARBED) Harley. Just my .02. zotcha.
fourdfish	posted 10-30-2008 05:03 PM ET (US) lastmango- You should be aware that you will need to go with all new controls if you buy another brand other than an E-TEC. Just something to remember when you price the different engines. With the E-TEC, all you will need is a new tach.
an86carrera	posted 10-30-2008 07:28 PM ET (US) Some people do it for the enviroment. Len
Tohsgib	posted 10-31-2008 09:43 AM ET (US) Green peace run huge diesels!
djd35de	posted 10-31-2008 10:47 PM ET (US) My guess would be the new Honda 90 with lean burn system. I believe its the only engine with a air-fuel ratio sensor. David