Fuel Numbers for my "Speed Demon" (not)
 

Have been playing with my new navman and gotten some interesting results for you inboard guys if you like. 350 magnum 270 hp PCM inboard and I am currently turning an old ,tired 17"/15 pitch wheel-with the following results- 3000 rpm's 20 knots at 9.5 to 10 gallons an hour. 3200 rpm's 22 knots at 12-12.5 gallons an hour. 3800 rpms 25 to 27 knots at 20 gallons an hour. Funny how my new tach only reads WOT at 3800. The old tach read 4200 rpms. Boat tachs have always IMO been P.O.S.
The 17/15 is not real efficient but is a great trolling wheel because I can troll real slow during rockfish season. I believe a 16"/17 pitch is what originally came on the boat. I am going to reprop it soon and am still debateing on the 16"/17 pitch 3 blade or a 16/16 4 blade both cupped.I think both my economy and speed will increase preety much although that slow trolling speed will be gone. Most of my rockfishing anyways is from November into february so I can change the wheel if need be.

I support the "BIG FISH CATCH AND RELEASE THEORY"

craig

Re: Fuel Numbers for my "Speed Demon" (not)
 

Miles - drag a bucket or a board of the stern, will slow you down from the fast troll...

Re: Fuel Numbers for my "Speed Demon" (not)
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Amen, brother.

Re: Fuel Numbers for my "Speed Demon" (not)
 

Miles... I'd get a good Tach before I'd start playing with wheels. I have a good number of years messing with inboard boats. But it's your choice if you beleive me or not.. But your not turning up to max RPM's (if the new tach is right)with the 17/15 wheel. 1 inch of Diam is 1000 RPMS and 1" of pitch is 500 rpm's. Your at 3800 with the 17/15, knock 1" of Diam. off and your up to 4800 that's about 200 over max for your motor, so add a little cup and it should be just right. The 16/17 is allmost the same wheel, just at lower rpms(idle speed)your gonna move faster. I'd look at a 16/15 with a cup, A case of beer says I hit it right on the money [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img]

Re: Fuel Numbers for my "Speed Demon" (not)
 

Thanx Don,I appreciate the advice. Im going to put one of those timing gun tachs on it and see where its at. I really think the old tach was right and the new one isnt. She seems to be turning up real well, and btw I drink Bud or Corona's. [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img]

Re: Fuel Numbers for my "Speed Demon" (not)
 

Miles.. Sounds like a good plan..but if the new tach is wrong all bets are off.. [img]images/icons/tongue.gif[/img] .. Your close with the old tach, I'd just have the wheel worked and it just may turn up.. But Corona's it will be.. cuz themz Budz give me a killer head ache.. But on another note..hows the tuna fishing been off shore, any size yet?.. I see that the VA.Beach bouy has some nice water temps. I'm planing to start running to the Dog soon..

Re: Fuel Numbers for my "Speed Demon" (not)
 

Hey Don, yellowfins are just starting to show up good here, they have been very hot just south of here from the triple zeroes down to the point. Most have their limits and are done by noon. The fish have been running smaller than normal so far on average 25-35 lbs although the larger 65 lb fish are becoming more frequent. The water temps are rising quickly, I have heard of fish being caught at Norfolk Canyon a couple of weeks ago so I would imagine that they are already up there by now. There have also been some bluefins caught inshore but not many folks are targeting them. Since my last back operation my tuna days are over but my bro-in -law just purchased a 43 viking so I can probably be coaxed into a couple of marlin trips [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] go get um-craig

Re: Fuel Numbers for my "Speed Demon" (not)
 

Miles: I know we've discussed this before and I'm turning a 16x17 which I think is the original setup. I achieve the same as a friend with same prop at 23k@ 3200ish, 25k@3600ish and 29K@4000ish. I troll wire line for stripers and its plenty slow enough. Thanks for the fuel consumption info. Keep me posted though on the results when you change. Don I'll meet you at the 19 Fathom Lump! (Hot Dog too far south).

Re: Fuel Numbers for my "Speed Demon" (not)
 

Fuel comsumption update for the Inboard crowd. Just ran from Sandy Hook to Little Egg Inlet,NJ. Its about 65 miles per my GPS.I burned one full tank, 48 Gals., +/-, averaging 3250 RPM, 22 NMH and arrived in 3 hours.

Re: Fuel Numbers for my "Speed Demon" (not)
 

OUCH! Jeff that is worse fuel mileage than my old 225 Johnson. 45gal's for 65 miles nets you only a 1.4 average. My dual 115 4 stroke Suzuki's would have done about 2.8-3.2mpg, and I could have done it at 30kts without breaking a sweat. Those old inboards do look good though!