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?

dlb511 · #4 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 · #5 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.

dlb511 · #6 03-19-2008, 04:49 PM

I am assuming that by "four banger" you are really meaning "four stroke"?

Tiny · #7 03-19-2008, 08:10 PM

dbl511,

I've been down the exact same road you are going down. This is what I found, a Diesel would be nice but IF I had a repair it WOULD be expensive. Cost to aquire and economy wise, as well as ride, in my humble opinion, it's hard to beat a 20 ft seacraft Scepter or CC. Best economy that won't cost you an arm and a leg would be someting like a 130 yamaha or a 4 cyl I/O, all are capable of getting 3.5 mpg or so at cruise. I'm just getting my rig set up but know from test runs it's getting over 3.5 mpg. Not bad considering you can probably find one or put the rig together for under 5-7K. You can get 5mpg or so with a high $$$ 115, 150 4 stroke but even at 5$ a gallon it will take a lot of hours to recover the $$$ and repairs will cost a lot more.

I've spent dozens of hours looking into every boat out there (don't tell the wife) and this combo meet all my criteria.

I can't wait to get it all together. Good luck with your search.

By the way we have a 74 20 Scepter with a 1991 yamaha 130.

dlb511 · #8 03-19-2008, 09:37 PM

Tiny.
I am leaning more towards an outboard. I think they are a lot easier to maintain for one thing. I am a little partial to the Yamaha's. I used to be a Suzuki dealer and back then we all figured Yamaha was our toughest competitor. In the early 1980's they were the most expensive outboard you could buy. I find more Mercs on the used boats I have found than anything else. I will probably settle for just about anything in the 130 to 150 hp range that is in good condition.

Mark · #9 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]

Tiny · #10 03-19-2008, 10:09 PM

Maybe Fr. Frank will chime in on here. He and I discussed motor choices at length. He was keen on the yammie 130 and the older 2.0L merc's...both are pretty good on gas, and not to expensive either. Parts are cheaper on the merc, but I found a good yammie and snatched it up!!!!