Okay guys, have to admit I’ve been fishing the beaches most of my life and don’t have that much experience owning too many boats/outboards. Had a small 17’ cobia years ago, that’s it. Looking at buying a boat maybe 18-22 ft., probably a CC, but maybe a smaller WA. Since I live in the upstate and want to use it for skiing, tubing etc. with the kids as well as fishing on the coast, I need some good advice.
I don’t care that much about going 50 mph, just need to be able to pick up a skier with 3-4 in the boat and also have enough HP to make it through some reasonable seas in the near shore waters. What I do care about is fuel consumption. Test drove a 22’ aquasport and it had a merc 225 pushing it. It was getting around 25-28 gph at around 4000 rpm. Way too expensive for my budget. Should I go with a 115hp, 150hp, 125 hp? Any help appreciated from the experts.
a 225 merc should be burning about 14-16gph at 4000rpm
that motor should only burn 25-28 at WOT
look for something with a fuel injected motor
its going to get much better fuel economy
a four stroke is going to be even better
if you want a good all around affordable boat to run, look for something like a 20’ seahunt with a four stroke 115 or 150
like this
http://www.yamahaoutboards.com/sites/default/files/bulletins/bulletin_4stroke_midthrustjetport_gyt3_sht-triton202-f115txr.pdf
what is your budget
you should be able to find a decent boat like the one in the test report for 10-12
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Test drove a 22' aquasport and it had a merc 225 pushing it. It was getting around 25-28 gph at around 4000 rpm. Way too expensive for my budget.
Holy smoke, something is wrong with that engine! As an old general rule of thumb for 2 stroke carbed engines is 1 gph for every 10hp used. A 225 should burn about 23 gph at WOT. As Chris said, the newer engines are a lot more economical than that.
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Should I go with a 115hp, 150hp, 125 hp?
You should match the engine to the boat and use the highest HP it is rated for. Given the same speed, a larger engine running at an easy cruise setting will consume the same fuel or less as a smaller engine running close to wide open. Plus the engine will last longer.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
There are several boats that have been designed around the Yamaha 150. My KW 210 BR has hit 50 with two people and tackle, battteries, etc, but more importantly (to me), it sips gas. I have trouble turning the fuel over, because the temptation is also to buy 15-20 gals. I pulled a wakeboarder Thursday with three on board, and then made a 8 mile run in cross winds and chop during the storm that hit Hartwell and Clemson. The boat handled like a champ. However, based on what you’re talking about, I’d look at the various versions of KW 203 FS or even the 219 FS. Here’s the 219FS with the 150 running, (not loaded however): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRJipHWQpVk
Scout, NauticStar, and others have similar boats. Most have a performance bullentin with the Yamaha 150.
It’s great not to have to refuel but every 3rd or 4th outing.
Was hoping you would chime in, Chris. For years you’ve been giving valuable advice here, thanks. Also thanks to the rest of ya’ll. I just don’t want to end up wishing I 'd done something different a year down the road.
I’ve seen some WA cuddy’s ( a 215 aquasport, for instance), with a V6 and was wondering about that one. It’s a Johnson V6. The boat is a '96. Also seen a couple Proline’s with 150’s or 200’s in the late 90’s - 2002. Any thoughts?
quote:
Originally posted by chris Va 225 merc should be burning about 14-16gph at 4000rpm
that motor should only burn 25-28 at WOT
look for something with a fuel injected motor
its going to get much better fuel economy
a four stroke is going to be even betterif you want a good all around affordable boat to run, look for something like a 20’ seahunt with a four stroke 115 or 150
like this
http://www.yamahaoutboards.com/sites/default/files/bulletins/bulletin_4stroke_midthrustjetport_gyt3_sht-triton202-f115txr.pdfwhat is your budget
you should be able to find a decent boat like the one in the test report for 10-12www.teamcharlestonmarine.com
www.joinrfa.org
Wow. Thanks for the report. My budget is 12k and under, basically. 13 as a stretch.
It might pay you to have 2 props, one for skying and one for all around use! Has worked for me.
anything with a carbed motor is gonna burn WAY more fuel
spend a little more upfront and get a fuel injected four stroke, and it will more than pay for itself over time in fuel savings.
the exceptions would be late model optimax (2004 or newer) Yamaha HPDI 150-200 (stay away from the 250-300 HPDI) they get great fuel economy as well
quote:
Originally posted by chris Vanything with a carbed motor is gonna burn WAY more fuel
spend a little more upfront and get a fuel injected four stroke, and it will more than pay for itself over time in fuel savings.
the exceptions would be late model optimax (2004 or newer) Yamaha HPDI 150-200 (stay away from the 250-300 HPDI) they get great fuel economy as wellwww.teamcharlestonmarine.com
www.joinrfa.org
Thanks a million. Knew I would get the right advice, now just gotta find a boat!
For a 115 four stroke- 18’ is about the max boat it will push. I have a 186 Sea Pro with a 115 merc 4 stroke, max speed is 39, cruise at 25 & 4.5 GPH+/-. Any bigger of a boat and the 115 will struggle.
For your budget you should be able to find a decent Sea Pro SV21 with a F150 or similar… 5-6 gph cruise, great boat for the bay - ok near shore on the right day.
jughead
look at the performance bulletin I posted
that is 20’ center console and it tops out at almost 42 mph with a 115 4 stroke
depends a lot on the hull design
Just my 2 cents but I have a 22’ Pathfinder CC with a 150 Yamaha 4 stroke with an LMF-200 lowrance guage that measures gph/mpg, which I mainly use for Striper fishing on lake Murray. I have a 40 gal bait tank that weights about 300 lbs when full before anyone gets in the boat. I typically have 2-3 people that fish with me and I consistently average 4.2 mpg at 3600 rpm. Fuel flow is 6.2 gph at 26mph. Not fast but gets me where I need to go…safely.
Ice Blue Pathfinder 2200
“Kemosabe”
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