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Well I guess it depends on the boat and the vehicle.
My boat with a 20 HP merc. runs all day on about 2 gallons.
I'm glad it's all I have.
And my car gets 20+mpg pulling it.
I'd rather stay "little" and fish more.
I can go to Taylorsville and fish all day on 4 gallons total,
car and boat.
Sometimes less is more.:)
I wish I could get by on smaller. I tried for a couple or years here, but you just can't fish the main lake on Ky without a heavier boat. My tracker would get blown around in less than 10 mph winds.
I have learned that slowing down will almost double my mileage. My 225 loves the gas, but doesn't do too bad if I keep it around 4000 rpm or less. I almost feel like I am cruising. It has made a huge difference. Knowing your lake and what ramps are close to where you want to fish is half of the battle to saving fuel. I also know I don't give up on spots as quick as I used to. I fished the same bay the other other day (and it wasn't a big one) for several hours and did pretty good.
I wish I could get by on smaller. I tried for a couple or years here, but you just can't fish the main lake on Ky without a heavier boat. My tracker would get blown around in less than 10 mph winds.
I have learned that slowing down will almost double my mileage. My 225 loves the gas, but doesn't do too bad if I keep it around 4000 rpm or less. I almost feel like I am cruising. It has made a huge difference. Knowing your lake and what ramps are close to where you want to fish is half of the battle to saving fuel. I also know I don't give up on spots as quick as I used to. I fished the same bay the other other day (and it wasn't a big one) for several hours and did pretty good.
BUT would you take that boat to KY or Dale..........I've been there, done that. I upgraded first to a Tracker 17PRO that worked GREAT, and then to my latest Tracker 190Pro, and it is FANTASTIC..........
BUT I would have NEVER taken by 15ft flat bottom, with a 15hp motor to the ole KY. WAY, WAY too much water for that small boat.
With that said........sometimes I WISH I had my 15ft flat with a 15hp. I could go all weekend on 6 gallons, and pulled the boat with an old ESCORT wagon. GOT about 22-25 pulling ALL over Southern Indiana.
Later,
Last weekend I went to Cumberland. 100 miles exactly one way from the driveway to the ramp. I never put my foot in it, never had the tach over 2000 (except those 2 big hills on 127), took my time getting to speed and never saw the top side of 65 mph. I got 16.5 mpg towing an 18 foot bass boat. Usually I get 14ish.
Easing-up on the right pedal can make a difference in your pocket. I don't think 10-15% on one 200 mile trip will make a big difference but it would over time for sure.
Guys it isn't going to get better. That prediction about 4 buck gasoline is almost here.My nice comfortable GMC with all the options, and that big V_8 its gone, that nice roomy 18 ft deep vee with the 60, and the 5 hp kicker, just sits. I down sized, and since I only live minutes and under 20 miles from three good fishing areas, and its much easier towing and launching a 16 ft grizzly tracker, and that 40 four stroke sips gas, I will still fish my three days a week. But those trips to Ga. and GRL, those areabout gone. I feel for you youger guys, with a family, cause while gas is expensive, the food prices are going out of sight.Man, I lived through the best years of fishing that ever were.I have never lived more than 20 miles from a lake to fish, its haerd to imagine a two hour drive for a local lake. Wishing for the old days, but they wont come back, but those memorys, they are there.
[quote=GeoFisher;324939]BUT would you take that boat to KY or
Later,[/quote]
Yes, and it's been there several times.
If it's to rough for that boat then I don't
want to fish there anyway.:)