Gas milage

[richard]

I am looking at a used 1993 persuader with a 454 mag carb. with a bravo1 drive silent chioce, different cam with roller rockers he said it would be lucky to get 31/2mpg I know this is a big block but I thought at a cruising rpm of around 2500-3200 would be better than that. I would like to go cruiseing with this to show it off but I couldn't pay for all the gas. I don't need to go 70 mph could I tone it down and get better mpg? What would the difference be with a 350 mag in it. Also what would a average 18 ft runabout with like a 4.3 get for gas milage. Like a rinker or larson. I love the looks and sound of the checkmates and would love to blow all the baja's out of the water around here. I would also like to go watersking, tubing, or just crusing down the river to eat, this would be a 25 mile trip one way. That would be one expense meal at that rate. THanks for all your help This is proably one of the more stupid questions about a performance boat you have heard but it is a problem for me.

[richard]

I am looking at a used 1993 persuader with a 454 mag carb. with a bravo1 drive silent chioce, different cam with roller rockers he said it would be lucky to get 31/2mpg I know this is a big block but I thought at a cruising rpm of around 2500-3200 would be better than that. I would like to go cruiseing with this to show it off but I couldn't pay for all the gas. I don't need to go 70 mph could I tone it down and get better mpg? What would the difference be with a 350 mag in it. Also what would a average 18 ft runabout with like a 4.3 get for gas milage. Like a rinker or larson. I love the looks and sound of the checkmates and would love to blow all the baja's out of the water around here. I would also like to go watersking, tubing, or just crusing down the river to eat, this would be a 25 mile trip one way. That would be one expense meal at that rate. THanks for all your help This is proably one of the more stupid questions about a performance boat you have heard but it is a problem for me.

[Chris]

Richard, no matter what kind of boat you own you will use gas. I/O's are better than outboards, but you'll never going to get great miles per gallon unless you are driving a Aluminum with a 9.9. It's just something you get used to I suppose.

Now with reference to the boat you detailed. First, you have to realize Checkmate's are a large step up from an average boat, they are not your average Stinkers or Larsons. And you will therefore have pay a higher price to get a new or used Mate.

If it was me, I would buy a boat that suits your needs. Either buy the boat, forget about the gas and enjoy it, or simply find another. Because this boat has a 454 and a Bravo drive, you will probably pay more for it to start with as compared to one with a 350 and an Alpha drive. So it doesn't make a lot of sense to pay the extra fee up front, and then pay to detune the motor for better gas milage.

Just my .02 cents. http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

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[Eriktheviking]

I don't think too many V6's or V8's get very good mileage. Having a powerful engine in the boat usually means that it doesn't have to work as hard to push that boat around.(Which can save ya a litte.)Having the right prop can make a big difference too.This is the way I look at it.If I brought my family to a water park for the day it would cost over $100. http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif So, if I only spend $50-75 I'm ahead of the game. Plus we have a BLAST! http://www.checkmate-boats.com/6/ws/,s,8626072361/Graemlins/thumb.gifAs the saying goes,If your gonna play, you gotta PAY!

[JW]

You'll notice some difference in gas mileage if you switch from the 454 all the way down to the 4.3, but in reality it's not worth it. You'll only gain a couple miles per gallon, and lose a ton of enjoyment and resale value. Best thing to do if you're worried about gas mileage, is find a smaller Persuader (loved my 18.5' 183 Persuader/4.3 LX V6) with the V6 factory installed. Again, at the end of the year, there won't be a huge difference in overall cost. You want to suck some gas, get a big Pulsare like mine with the 225 Promax and run it fast.................

1995 2100BR/1995 225 Promax/23" Tempest

[JW]

P.S.:
A V6 Checkmate will get better gas mileage than a V6 'generic' brand boat because of the Checkmate's superior design. A Checkmate will run faster top end than any other brand of I/O boat with the same motor/prop because of superior bottom design. That same bottom design will give you better fuel efficiency at all other speeds. Win/Win situation.......

1995 2100BR/1995 225 Promax/23" Tempest

[Bill]

You guys seem to forget the key to fuel economy. RPM's Run wide open and get about 1 mpg no matter if a 4.3 or 496 mag. Cruise at 3500 rpm's and you have a whole different world. No offense, if "fuel mileage" is a concern, don't get a boat.

[vinny p.]

Richard;
As was stated above, if you are going to be worried about paying for gas, you should get a sail boat. BUT, if you are looking to squeeze the most out of a gallon of gas, the best thing to do is to prop accordingly. If you want to take that 25 mile run to a restaurant and are not concerned about how fast you get there, put a larger pitch 4 blade prop on. If you want to go skiing, put on a smaller 3 blade. If you do switch your props around, just be careful not to over-rev the motor with the small prop. Or do like I do, don't be afraid to take donations for fuel from your buddies at the end of the day. They should be only to glad to help pay for the fuel considering they were out for a day on the water on YOUR boat.

[Dave T]

Like Vinny p said,
The 4 blade will give you A higher speed at aA lower rpm = beter mpg.You may loose A little topend MPH but you will have better performance everywhere else.You will have no problem pulling anything.It pays to play.
Dave

[Chris]

We run and ski behind our boat for hours each day in the summer. We sometimes start at 1:00 PM and finish at 7:00PM at night or even later. We usually use no more than a tank of gas which runs about 50 Bucks Canadian.

To me that is a pretty good deal. That's an entire days entertainment for 8-10 people. It's cheaper than the movies and a heck of a lot more fun....

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Checkmate-Boats.com-The Fanatics Home!

[richard]

Thanks for all the good info all i need now is to find a differnt boat becuse the other one is gone i think the 454 is the way to go.

[Z06]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Chris:
We run and ski behind our boat for hours each day in the summer. We sometimes start at 1:00 PM and finish at 7:00PM at night or even later. We usually use no more than a tank of gas which runs about 50 Bucks Canadian.

To me that is a pretty good deal. That's an entire days entertainment for 8-10 people. It's cheaper than the movies and a heck of a lot more fun....

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Webmaster
Checkmate-Boats.com-The Fanatics Home!<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

$50 Buck???!!!!

We make frequent trips to the gas station during the day. We start at about 10:00 until its dark (yes, tubing in the dark is fun). I'd say it costs at least over $100 a weekend, but thats with the massive 225 ProMax as one of the 3 boats.... We don't use that one as much. I want your boat Chris...

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Chevy Corvette Z06
Z06
Chris E.
Checkmate Fanatic
Chris.Ellard9@sympatico.ca
2003CorvetteZ06@addr.com
http://pub37.ezboard.com/bchevycorvettez06personalforum

[Chris]

We usually use just a little under a tank full. Remember when you ski you are usually going at a slow cruising speed, so you use less gas.

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[Hot H2O]

Just remember the definition of a boat.....its a hole in the water that you throw money into.....but at least your having fun while doing it...unlike paying taxes...........
I try to get my pontoon out and let everyone use it as a base camp...then they can pull the kids on all the ski's and tubes and boards....and I don't have to spend much $$$$ on that..then when the lake gets right I can waste my gas....when I need a fix of horsepower...when I feel the need for speed.......

[175checkmate]

MPG, whats that. I run about 30 gal of mix through the engine for a day of playing. But when it takes 2 days to get the smile off my face i would say its worth every penny.

http://www.checkmate-boats.com/6/ws/,s,8626072361/avatars/rooster_3.jpg


1975 Checkmate Tri-mate 2, 2.4 200+

[Bill]

I spend on average 2 grand a summer in gas, like Gus said, well woth every smile and all the stress relief! Keeps me smiling through the long winter remembering the fun! http://www.checkmate-boats.com/6/ws/,s,8626072361/Graemlins/thumb.gif