Engine Size (fuel economy)

[Chinook]

Mike, on your long cruise to Alaska, did you notice what the level of outboard repair was available. I have a nissan 50 2 stroke. One of the things I think is an asset is the easier repair availability. Any of the new fuel injected models requires specialized computer based repair and diagnostic equipment. With carbs, the skill of the repair person is all thats required.

Hi Captain Steve,

Repair service options in SE Alaska are great, as long as you run a Johnson or Mercury, or maybe a Honda. The only time I saw the name Nissan was when I looked at the stern of our boat. The best service item I had along was the phone number for Todd at Blue Water Yachts on Lake Union, WA. Of course, there isn't always a phone hanging on a tree at the location where trouble strikes, and cell phone service is only available near the cities and towns. Folks up there are pretty resourceful and helpful though. I had a charging problem while anchored near Yes Bay Resort on Behm Canal about 60 miles north of Ketchikan. The resort owner there was most gracious in helping me out, and managed to isolate the problem, a fried butt connector coming off the rectifier. Easy fix, and we were on our way. You do tend to feel a bit out there at times, but hey, that's part of the allure.

Happy cruising, Mike Cecka

[Chinook]

Hi Robert,

Excellent questions. I'll look forward to comments from the outboard experts.

Mike

[James V]

On my Fl loop cruise I rarely went over 15 mph because of wind/waves or speed limits. Although I did do 80 miles in calm conditions which I did in 6 hours. My 06 Mer 50 hp Big foot with a 14 x 10 SS prop gets me good enough gas milage. 3.5 mpg at 17 MPH (WOT) 4 mpg at 15 MPH, 8 mpg at 8 MPH and 12 to 14 mpg at 5 MPH. I carry 30 gals.

When the wind is over 10 MPH or the seas are more than 1 foot, the spray hits you in the face. You can get totaly wet in 3 Min. I did it inorder to make a bridge opening.

[Frank C]

Not quite sure how I've missed nearly a whole month in responding to this, but ...

Chip & Frank

I purchased my Marine Insurance from Progressive and have our other toys insured with them. The First information our insurance Broker wanted to know was the Boat and Serial # followed by the Engine Manufacturer, size, H.P. and Serial #. What you say may be true, but I could tell they were very insistent on specific information and told us they would get back to us. ....

... this dilemma has a braindead-simple solution.

In the instant case, Progressive's clearly the wrong insurance broker!

[Catigale]

3.5 mpg at 17 MPH (WOT) 4 mpg at 15 MPH, 8 mpg at 8 MPH and 12 to 14 mpg at 5 MPH. I carry 30 gals.

James - did you get a good reading on that mpg figure for 5mph ?? It sounds really high. Did you get that reading over a whole tank of gas or could that have had some error in it. Im thinking its about 2x too high

[James V]

Catigale - I have the Murcury "Smart Craft" system on the boat and it has fuel usage at Gal per hour and it reads from .3 to .4 at 5 miles per hour. Per the Mercury dealier and the mechanic, The readings are correct. I have NOT motored more than 1/2 hour at 5 miles per hour so the results are NOT proven. I will be doing the Bimini trip in May and I should be able to get some real time data then.

[Robert]

I remember a magazine article with mpg testing using the Suzuki DF50 and an 11 pitch prop with empty ballast, IIRC the 5mph gave 22mpg. Four stroke fuel injected engine running just above idle (guess 1200 to 1500 RPM) to get 5mph.

[Catigale]

My bad, James, I accept the Smartcraft number as accurate....didnt realise how sweet this motors are down at low revs.....makes me happy since I have a 2002 BF efi 50HP....I dont use a lot of fuel in a season so I never really noticed the mileage as a big plus.

[James V]

I agree, I carry 30 gal's. That makes for a 350+ miles cruising range. Some day I hope to put it to the test