fuel economy

dlb511 · #1 03-18-2008, 11:46 PM

A question for you all. I have worked boats , sold boats, and owned boats, but not for many years. Right now I am starting retirement and hope to find a nice classic center console to use. My question is: All things equal; 20 ft., center console, similar performance, Which would be the most economical on fuel: I/O, outboard, or straight inboard? Any recommendations? Another issue is that I cannot afford the cost of a new power plant, no matter what type. I am looking for a Classic Seacraft, Mako, or even a Shamrock. In other words a saltwater fishing boat with some offshore capability. From your experience, which would prove to be the most economical over the long haul? TIA.

natchalkley · #2 03-19-2008, 12:00 AM

inboard deisel, or 4 banger OB. the difference would probably be the added life that you would get out of the deisel. they are a lot more exensive than an OB, but 1500 hrs on an outboard is a good bit for most people on an outboard, but your really just breaking in a deisel.

Bigshrimpin · #3 03-19-2008, 01:02 AM

20 seacraft with a suzuki 140 or 150 etec will get 5mpg at cruise.

I don't know if it'll fit in a 20 seacraft, but the cummins mercruiser has a nice little 130/150hp package

http://www.cmdmarine.com/qsd2.0sterndrive.html

Probably better economy . . . but that is just a guess.

Hey . . . Do you email me about a 20 Master Angler in Sacramento?

Mark · #4 03-19-2008, 09:53 PM

Quote:

20 seacraft with a suzuki 140 or 150 etec will get 5mpg at cruise.

Yes it will. I drive past the fuel docks and smile [img]/forum/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

Bigshrimpin · #5 03-20-2008, 01:17 AM

DB - I still have it . . . I've been real busy. PM me and I'll send you some photos and description. It's rough around the edges, but could clean up nicely.

dlb511 · #6 03-20-2008, 02:03 AM

Big. Sent you a PM. Thanks for all the info. guys. Appreciate the input.

Fr. Frank · #7 03-20-2008, 07:45 AM

If you've got the time to put in regular maintenance, and you don't mind getty oil or grease under your fingernails, the 130/140 Merc I/O on the 20' Seacraft is pretty hard to beat. A friend of mine in Juno has had a 20' Seafari for about 30 years, and consistantly averages about 4.5-5.0 mpg. He repowered in about '86 or '87, and just bought a complete replacement package - same 151 ci 4 cyl. Mercruiser.

For new outboards, I don't have the figures for the 140 Zuke, but the new 130 eTec is incredibly frugal on fuel, as is the new 150 Yammie and Merc 135 Verado.

I have a 90hp Merc Optimax 1.5L 3 cyl.that is adequate for my Seafari. I get about 4.5 mpg average, cruising at 23-24 mph.

For older tech, I really like the 115/130 Yamaha, and any 2.0 litre V6 Merc. The old 2.0 150 Merc may be the most economical V6 2 stroke out there. It surpasses even the new 150 Optimax and the eTec. Cons are the unreliable oil injection, and the massive amounts of smoke it makes at low rpms.

I'm a poor preacher, and I have always preferred outboards, but if I found a 20' with an I/O, I'd probably go that way as a preference, just for economical reasons. Especially considering there is now a 140/150/170 hp bolt-in diesel replacement for the 151ci engine Mercruiser that weighs only 23 lbs more than the original 130/140. 150 hp model burns 5-7 gph at cruise, or about 5-6 mpg.

dlb511 · #8 03-20-2008, 04:30 PM

Fr. Frank.

Thanks for the info. That gives me a lot more options to consider. I don't mind the greasy fingernails, mine are mostly that way anyhow. I don't have any problem with maintaining the engine it is the outdrive that always seemed to be daunting. Out here there is little to choose from. I have watched Craigslist and Boat Trader for a full year and have not seen one Seacraft closer than San Francisco, and we average over 250 boat listings per day on Craigslist in the Seattle area. I will probably have to head for Miami to find what I want unless I luck out on a California boat. I really want a CC for flyfishing. We have a pretty good supply of Searun Cutthroats in my neighborhood and they are fun on the fly. It is all catch and release, but that is all the fun anyway. My plan is to get a boat I can use here locally during the summer months and then tow to the Baja in the fall/winter to fish the Sea of Cortez. Simple and reliable is what I need.

dlb511 · #9 03-19-2008, 02:08 AM

Big. Could be. Did you have a 20' Seacraft with a CA commercial permit? Must have sold, it disappeared from Craigslist. It was pretty much what I want, and being on West coast instead of East would have been nice.

dlb511 · #10 03-19-2008, 02:23 AM

I realize the diesel has real advantages, but initial cost is pretty high and right now the cost of diesel is hard to believe. I am going to have to find a boat that has an older power plant. An affordable hull with an existing diesel will be hard to find. Four bangers are just out of my price range. 5 mpg with a 140 or 150 sounds pretty good to me,compared to some numbers I have seen. I'm not after a lot of speed. In Puget Sound and probably most of the West coast, going over 40 mph is dangerous because of all of the drift in the waters. At 40 you just can't see a mostly submerged log in time to avoid it.