We went out for the SPO on a 240 Pro-Line CC twin 225 mercs fuel injected 2 strokes. There were 4 of us, we went out 35 miles out and worked our way back in and apparently used almost 200 gallons of gas! I can go to the Marquesas for a week going all over - way out, back and forth all week, in my boat which has carbs-8 of them, bigger heavier boat and gets 1 mile per gallon loaded-just as loaded, and only use way less than 130 gallons, as thats how much my tank holds. Has anyone ever heard of such bad mileage? Supposedly it was getting 1+ MPG but maybe that was wrong! We had nice weather, cruised at 30 MPH, didnt slog. Had 12 tanks, 4 guys, maybe 200 lbs ice and drinks. I expected we would use 80-100 gallons maybe. I didnt fill the boat up, just what i was told.

doesn't sound right... either he didn't fill completely, or has a fuel leak.

friend of yours? maybe he needs a little extra $$$$

Steve, that is called getting f----d.:D If he is not your friend, I would tell him to pound sand. If he is your friend a beat down is in order prior to telling him to pound sand.

I'm with Scott on this one, either your friend is a liar or too stupid to know that there is no way he burned 200 gallons on a 70 mile round trip, either by fuel leak, or by miscalculation. Either way, not the qualities you'd want of someone to dive with.

I did a 35/40 mile out trip this past sat too with a little more gear than you guys and heavier boat with older carb 200hp Johnsons.We had bad conditions on the way out and had to fight seas till around 10am.Burnt 130 gallons......

I have done this same trip before with slick conditions all day and only burn 80

I thought I might have had a problem till I read your post :eek::scratchhead:

our 30' boat with 250 EFI's doesn't get that bad fuel economy. Sounds like B.S.:scratchhead:

You got F'ed in the A.

Were you running at 75 miles per hour?

If so, it may be accurate...

:)

Maybe he's british and is charging you the going rate for a liter instead of gallon.

Or, maybe he invested in foreign currency and calculated the losses to the US dollar into the equation.

Or, he could have towed the boat from Maine and is asking all to split the tow bill as well.

Or, maybe you're paying his share, too.

I disagree. Steve he is probably UNDER charging you. Just politely pay it and call me next time you want to go out. I will take you anywhere you want in a more comfortable boat!!!! :whistle: :whistle::lol:

You sure you weren't diving from a cruise ship?

I did politely pay it. This will be the last time though.

A very good example of why you should get an estimate from the cap't on how much your share of the fuel bill will be.
Sounds like you were taken advantage of, Steve. That sucks.

Did he at least offer any lube? :eek:

NO!!!! I am sore!:cussing:

Must not have filled before the trip...same trip on my 22ft Grady single engine 225 Yamaha: 28 to 35 gallons depending on seas. Loaded with four divers 12 tanks & gear. May be comparing apples & oranges, but 200 gallons is way out unless somethings wrong.

I was within 40.00 of what I told my guys on my boat what gas bill should be.
we went 250 miles total trip burn about little more then 250 gals. seems like to me most outboards run a little more then 1 mpg on average.AT least thats what my honda get Steve so bassically use1 mpg and that SHOULD give you average. I am sure some get better and some get worse !!!


sorry to hear you took it in shorts god knows you can't get any more holes in those shorts :):moon::lol:

Jamie

Jamie, I tried to throw those away, and my hand went through the holes! yep, they are gone! Your boat gets great mileage.

Steve,

Maybe one day I will get my boat down that way. If we are going to burn that much gas mught as well get ther quickly...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v308/slpcomputer/Boating/55842718_6-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v308/slpcomputer/Boating/Fromula1.jpg

The last time I took my boat out to the Bayronto it was a 85 mile round trip with 6 guys, 10 tanks, 5 sets of dive gear in rough seas. We only used 45 gallons of fuel. We worked our way in also. The boat is a 25' Mako with Yami 250 four stroke.

I would have fought that 200 gal. burn tooth and nail. NO WAY you could have burned that much. Even if the motors were in need of service. Is he member here or on SB???:banhim:

Pretty normal dive trip for us is 5 divers and dive gear, 18 tanks, 200 pound ice, 25 foot boat, 2 stroke ox66 yamaha 250, 100 mile run = 64 gallons

For what it's worth, I have a 27 Pro Line Express with 200 HPDIs. I had it out for the Southern Open, we did 85 miles out and back plus a LOT of running around and we burned 130 gallons. 4 guys, two coolers, 16 LP cylinders mostly 120s, etc...

You got F'ed.

thats why i love boats that have flow scans and a gps with a trip meter.

thats why i love boats that have flow scans and a gps with a trip meter.

One nice thing about not having a huge fuel tank is that you don't carry around a ton of fuel that you don't need. Every gallon of fuel weighs somthing like 8 pounds, would you rather carry 10 gallons of gas you don't need or 2 more scuba tanks:whistle: We have a 100 gallon tank so I am able to Keep the tank full, fill up after each trip(I trailer my boat), this way you know exactly what you burned/how many miles you traveled. Also less condensate gets in the tank.

One nice thing about not having a huge fuel tank is that you don't carry around a ton of fuel that you don't need. Every gallon of fuel weighs somthing like 8 pounds, would you rather carry 10 gallons of gas you don't need or 2 more scuba tanks:whistle: We have a 100 gallon tank so I am able to Keep the tank full, fill up after each trip(I trailer my boat), this way you know exactly what you burned/how many miles you traveled. Also less condensate gets in the tank.

Good point. This brings up another, new concern these days. Before, you would want to fill up your tank before storing your boat, so there is no volume or space in the tank for moisture to collect and condense into the gas. But with this E10 shit, I'm hearing you want to burn all your fuel as much as possible and don't fill up until you're ready to use it. Anyone have any observations or comments to the contrary?

Good point. This brings up another, new concern these days. Before, you would want to fill up your tank before storing your boat, so there is no volume or space in the tank for moisture to collect and condense into the gas. But with this E10 shit, I'm hearing you want to burn all your fuel as much as possible and don't fill up until you're ready to use it. Anyone have any observations or comments to the contrary?

MIND YOU, I'M KNOCKING ON WOOD...

but, I stopped keeping mine filled and anyone that's been on my boat will tell you it hates to idle. I stopped keeping it full - not because of Ethanol, but because there is seldom I have a time where I have $300 + dollars I don't know what to do with. In the meantime, the engine (EFI 200) seems to be running & idling like new.

Could be unrelated, but I'm definitely not leaving mine full anymore.

Steve, Next time you're going to sink $200 for a 35 mile trip, let me know. We can all ride out there in my boat for that much. :)

I'm hearing you want to burn all your fuel as much as possible and don't fill up until you're ready to use it. Anyone have any observations or comments to the contrary?

I was told that a good set of fuel/water seperators will take care of the old tank moisture problem and that its now best to fill up on the way out.This ethanol problem outweighs the moisture problem.

Good point. This brings up another, new concern these days. Before, you would want to fill up your tank before storing your boat, so there is no volume or space in the tank for moisture to collect and condense into the gas. But with this E10 shit, I'm hearing you want to burn all your fuel as much as possible and don't fill up until you're ready to use it. Anyone have any observations or comments to the contrary?

My boat gets used every 10 days on average, and we use from half to 3/4 of a tank per trip. I have not had a problem, but this E-10 may catch up with me. Anybody agree that the ethanol problem outweighs the condensate problem?

Anybody agree that the ethanol problem outweighs the condensate problem?

My understanding was that the ethanol in the gas created the condensation problem.

My understanding was that the ethanol in the gas created the condensation problem.

That is not correct. The issues with Ethanol are:

1) Ethanol is a solvent, and it tends to "clean out" fuel tanks in older boats. When you start running E10, you will go through fuel filters much faster.
2) Older engines are not ethanol compatible.
3) Fiberglass tanks are not compatible with ethanol. This is an issue especially on older Bertrams.
4) When boats sit for a long time (more than a month), the fuel can suffer "phase seperation". This is when the gasoling, alcohol, and water come out of a diffuse solution and form layers in the tank. This is especially bad on lift kept or in water boats, as when the motor is first started, it is grabbing straight ethanol at the bottom of the tank. This is not an issue on trailer kept boats, as the drive to the ramp is sufficient to mix everything back up again.
5) E10 gas will result in a 10% drop in fuel mileage.

Ethanol has a lower surface tension which allows water to penetrate and be absorbed.

There's a lot of good info here.
http://www.used-boats-canada.ca/item/ethanol-blended-fuel-and-boat-engines

When I asked how to best combat the issue I was told that buying higher octaine also "helps".

When I asked how to best combat the issue I was told that buying higher octaine also "helps".

That is bullshit.

Okay some one tell me is it BEST to keep her full or empty ? I keep 228 gal and use about 40 or 50 gal a week give or take.I have water seperators and have changed Racors few weeks back, I have 2002 Honda . Thanks to SPO I used all 228 gallons this week so fuel is new BUT I Have been filling up after each use this way we know exactly what gas split is ...

EXCEPT when Steve comes on boat I will now just give him a figure :rofl::rofl:


seems like its keep it full by some and some keep it empty and fresh ?????

thanks
Jamie

yes I have read all the other post just trying to see if thoughts have changedsince posts

Is there a simple solution to water condensation in the tank as a result of ethanol?
It is best to maintain a full tank of fuel when the engine is not in use. This will reduce the void space above the fuel and will reduce the flow of air in and out of the tank with changes in temperature. This will reduce condensation on the internal walls of the tank and will limit exposure of the ethanol in the fuel to humidity and condensation.

[top]
What should be done when storing boats with ethanol-blended fuels for extended periods?
Follow the instructions for normal storage preparation found in the owner’s manual or operations guide. When preparing to store a boat for extended periods of two months or more, it is best to completely remove all fuel from the tank. If it is difficult or not possible to remove the fuel, maintaining a full tank of fuel with a fuel stabilizer added to provide fuel stability and corrosion protection is recommended. It is best to add the stabilizer and fuel treatment to the tank at the recommended dosage, running the engine for 10 minutes to allow the system to be cleaned, shutting off the fuel valve to interrupt the fuel supply and allow the engine to run until it stops, topping off the tank until it’s full to reduce the amount of exchange with the air that might bring in condensation. Do not cap the tank vent and do not fill with fuel to the point of overflowing. Some extra space should be maintained in the tank to allow for expansion and contraction of the fuel with temperature changes. A partially full tank is not recommended because the void space above the fuel allows air movement that can bring in water through condensation as the air temperature moves up and down. This condensation could potentially become a problem.

Mercury Marine Fuel System Treatment & Stabilizer can help maintain fuel systems in storage. It contains oxidation inhibitors to reduce oxidation and gum formation, metal chelating agents to protect metal components from corrosion, water absorbing agents to reduce the presence of free water, and dispersants to help suspend and disperse debris. When placing the boat back in service, be sure to reopen the fuel valve to the engine.

http://www.mercurymarine.com/serviceandwarranty/mercruiserfaqs/ethanol.php#11

damn dude that sucks, something is not right.

We had 7 people on my boat, 24 or 26 tanks I believe about 600 lbs of ice, tons of food and drinks 8+ guns, full fuel 450 gal and 40 gal of water... needless to say we were heavy as hell ran hard to 50 miles and worked our way in

round trip was about 130 miles and click in 10-20 gal for the genset....

we burned about 140-150 gal.s

this is on a 42

loaded out cape horn got at least 1-1 running WOT with 250's on the back

I would pass on running carburated 2 strokes out of fuel as you will be running the rings and bearings dry.Old style use the oil /gas mix for lubrication.

0.35 miles per gallon i really dont think so.

I would pass on running carburated 2 strokes out of fuel as you will be running the rings and bearings dry.Old style use the oil /gas mix for lubrication.

Seems like a good point. What's the compromise?

My 30' Sportscraft with twin 5.7L carbed mercruiser does better than that running fast and heavily loaded. No chance that is accurate.

200 gal. on only a 35 mile trip out?????? B.S. I reg go out on a 28' boston whaler WAC which weighs 11500# w/twin 250 4 stroke yam. and on a bad dqy burns 1 mpg. You got hosed. Don;t pay it and don't go out with him again!!! What's his name so all of us have the heads up on his shinanigans.

Thers no way he used NEAR that much fuel... my old battlewagon Bertram, at almost 14k lbs, wouldnt burn through that with twin Ford V8s... did he at least KISS you before he bent you over??

The only way this was an honest mistake was if he didn't check his fuel level both times while sitting still. I always check mine at the start with the boat sitting dead still in the water and check it at the return of the trip the same way. If he looked at his start level while running on plane or taking off, it would read that he had a lot more gas than he actually did. At a dead stop or idling off plane he would get a true reading which would be much less.

Maybe he looked at the start level while running and looked at the finish level at a dead stop.

I have plowed at 10 knots burning 18 gph, in 6 ft seas, all the way to Walkers Cay a few times with twin 225 OX 66s. Total fuel burned was around 120 gallons to go that 90-100 miles. On a day where I could run on plane I could do it on 70 gallons. Now I have 200 HPDIs and can do it on 50 gallons. And these trips are loaded down with coolers, full of ice, all over the deck and fishboxes full to the top of beer etc.. for a weeks vacation. 120 to go 90 miles is the worst case I could possibly get. If you were running on plane it would be extreemly hard to burn much less than a mile to the gallon. And in a 24 ft boat you should easily be over 1 mpg while on plane no matter what. Even giving him credit for alot of possible unthought of stuff, 200 gallons is way out. Say, 35 gallons out, 35 in, and 35 idling all day and your still barely over 100 gallons. That would be about as worst case as you could add up for the guy.

All the ideas concerning lubrication and kisses are sound, and indeed called for, but in this case I believe that a reach around would have been in order.

Mikerotch, Sympathetic To Steve's Rectal Trauma