MacGregorSailors.com

Can anyone share their experience with fuel consumption on a using the 60HP Suzuki that Blue Water Yachts sells as (more or less) standard equipment?

What is the recommended way to calculate it without going thru an entire gas tank? What RPM or speed should one stick to during the trial?

Just want to get a really good measure for planning purposes for longer trips...

Thanks in advance!

There's probably a few threads lurking in the archives on this as it seems to be a perrenial question but in a nutshell if you want the best economy keep your speed below hull speed or just above, it will also depend on prop suitability, too many variables for anyone to give a real answer.
Best way is to check it using your boat how you would like to use it and in the conditions including packed weight you are likely to encounter in your use.

This is for my 2007 Suzi 70....I always keep a reserve of 1/3 tank volume...24 gallon tank = 16 gallons of range

(DOUBLE CLICK CHARTS)





ALSO:

See Topic : http://www.macgregorsailors.com/forum/v ... ilit=+fuel

Excellent data.
found this on the US Coast Guard site:
Fast Fuel
You use approximately a gallon of gasoline per hour at wide-open throttle for every 10 horsepower. Not super accurate, but surprisingly close.

found here: http://www.sailingworld.com/boatingsafe ... ills-guide

Not a bad estimate WOT for the Suzuki 6.2-6.3 gph, USC rule 7gph.

I'm into the break in phase on my new Suzuki 60. The manual recommends running it lightly for the first 10 hours, and varying the rpm, but not running up to full throttle until after 10 hours. When the time is right for full throttle operation, I'll be paying attention to where she peaks out on the tachometer. It's my understanding that she should run at around 5500 rpm wide open. If not, I need to go with a different prop pitch. Once I know I've got the right prop I can begin evaluating fuel economy under different operating conditions. Thus far, at least, I'm loving the new 60.

Long as you don't try to use those figures to accurately predict your trip fuel usage without taking into account tides, weather, and loaded weight etc it can vary by a magnitude of many times the book theory.
Eg while running with a 7m tide through a narrow gorge and big back up area we achieved 14mph with motor running at 1000 rpm for steerage and only jib but returning and crossing open water outside gorge with full sail and good wind were losing headway but had great time trying until the tide changed, wouldn't like to think how much fuel would have been used if I had tried the motor.
This is why on long trips with limited chance of refueling we work with all conditions and it's amazing just how economical you can be and absolutely not related to the ideal textbook theory much better to log seperate events prior and then extrapolate to the actual expected trip conditions or wait until conditions suit.