The best fuel economy - outboard on V

[bgreene]

In terms of the greatest fuel economy, it seems the newer Mercury 4 stroke 150 may be a top choice....

Been reading about some crazy numbers 4- 5 mpg etc

Believe one poster has that set up if avail to comment .

[phatdaddy]

I put a merc 150 4 stroke on about 5 years ago, so far so good. I calculate my miles per gallon every fill up. I don t have a fuel gauge, so it s important i know my limits. I can easily get 3.4 and if i really watch it can get 4.3, but thats cruising about 27 mph. I m more comfortable going 30-31 which cuts into the mileage. I need to do some better prop research, i have a aluminum 15 inch 17 pitch and need to try some different ones.

Buddy of mine has same motor on a 20 dusky with a 15.5 inch 17 pitch stainless and he gets 4.5 , but cruises at 28 mph. Also know a few who have gone to 4 blade props and love them.

[bgreene]

That’s quite good - and sounds like once dialed in better.

What WOT speed you getting ?

[randlemanboater]

I had a Johnson (Suzuki) 140 on my V20, cruising in the mid 20's I consistently got 5 statue mpg.

Top speed was 39-40 depending on load.

Mine was a 2003...I would think that technology has progressed in the last 17 years where higher hp motors should be able to match that economy.

Interestingly, my Ranger 250C weighs twice the weight of the V20 and has double the horepower (close anyway).

I get the same top speed but the mpg is exactly half.

[bgreene]

5 mpg and 40 mph top speed - wow !

[phatdaddy]

Took mine out today to pull stone crab traps. Going out had a super light load, just me,2 trolling rods, couple of bags of chips and three green teas. At 4200 rpm, going 32 mph and burning 7.5 gph.

I also got 5mpg, but i was trolling 5mph and burning .8 gph

[randlemanboater]

Originally Posted by bgreene

5 mpg and 40 mph top speed - wow !

Certainly not at the same time though.

I never ran WFO much, only occasionally to beat a thunderstorm or dark.

[bgreene]

Originally Posted by randlemanboater

Certainly not at the same time though.

I never ran WFO much, only occasionally to beat a thunderstorm or dark.

Haha......of course.

5 mpg would be a 300 mile range on my V21........
And allow me to fish 80 offshore no problemo ! Chunk and troll big tuna etc !

Exciting except ........ I wouldn't take my V21 8o miles offshore :)

[phatdaddy]

Went back out today looking for a ghost trap i lost. Light load, just wife and i with 35 gallons of fuel, snacks and drinks. WOT 5600 rpm s, 37.8 mph, 13 gph,

Definitely need to do some prop research

[pjbrownva]

Originally Posted by randlemanboater

I had a Johnson (Suzuki) 140 on my V20, cruising in the mid 20's I consistently got 5 statue mpg.

Top speed was 39-40 depending on load.

Mine was a 2003...I would think that technology has progressed in the last 17 years where higher hp motors should be able to match that economy.

Interestingly, my Ranger 250C weighs twice the weight of the V20 and has double the horepower (close anyway).

I get the same top speed but the mpg is exactly half.

I have that exact same motor (Johnson 2003 140 4 stroke) on my V20, and it's awesome. I get about 4 MPG with it... I'm getting some electronics to measure the fuel burn more accurately, but I guess if I kept a log of miles and refuels I wouldn't need the fancy stuff.

Working in my prop. Currently have a 13.5 17" pitch with a lot of rake... looking to go with at 15" pitch with less rake so that the stern comes up more... right now I need to use too much trim on the trim tabs to keep the bow nice and low so that she cuts through the waves.

Once I have it dialed in, I wouldn't be surprised if I see 5 mpg too.

Currently top out at about 30 MPH, but the bottom needs sanding and painting, and I'm over-propped, so I know she'll do more.

The Suzuki's are known for being great on fuel. Can't comment on the Merc 4-strokes, as I don't have any experience.

Also, check the weight of the Suzuki 140... at 410 lbs, she's really light which also helps with fuel burn.

Edit: Just looked up the Merc 4 stroke 150... it's 455 lbs... so about the same pwr to weight ratio as my Zuki.... and it seems like a nice motor too.