BEST fuel saving TIP EVER............

[GeoFisher]

Slowing down, avoiding fast starts, hard stops definitely makes a difference. I've been doing it a long time. I'd guess I save 5-10%. I get beat when the light turns green 90% of the time. Most boats will get their best mileage running just fast enough to keep it up on plane. I'd guess I do save 30% gas in the boat at that speed compared to WOT. WOT in my boat is a little over 3 mpg, which is now $1.20 per mile. YIKES!

My boat is a 190 Tracker with a 90 Opti, and it gets FANTASTIC gas........I have not done the actual mileage yet, but if I run 3/4 throttle, I do REALLY good.......BUT I must admit, I like WOT..........but do that only once in a while.

Later,

Geo

[BassNNutt]

Here is my problem, I live in Northern Ky. and have went to Barkley the last two weekends, Drove the Monte Carlo to save gas.

OK, now for the problem... We Dont have anything close up here that fishes like Ky. and Barkley, so there is no way i can drive 60, I need to get there as fast as I can... LOL

[GeoFisher]

Here is my problem, I live in Northern Ky. and have went to Barkley the last two weekends, Drove the Monte Carlo to save gas.

OK, now for the problem... We Dont have anything close up here that fishes like Ky. and Barkley, so there is no way i can drive 60, I need to get there as fast as I can... LOL

GRANTED............It took me nearly 1 hour longer to get there..........I live in New Albany, and Drive the Evansville route, and start at the TOP of the lake..........and fish down........

Later,

Geo

[WIZARD]

I have a 115 Opti on a 18' deep vee and installed the Mercury Smart Craft system last year. I always keep the fuel flow (in gal per hour) and RPM displayed. It is amazing how big a difference 500 rpm will make on fuel usage and how little impact it has on boat speed. By tracking the GPS speed, fuel flow and rpm, it is pretty easy to find the "sweet spot".

[roadrunner]

I live 200 miles from KY lake and have a house boat there. We try and go to the boat three weekends out of four. I might have to change my thinking on driving to the boat that many weekends due to gas prices. On second though I think instead of giving up the lake I might have to give up some work and stay at the boat more. Sounds like a plan.

[jcclark]

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.

[Col Forbin]

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.

[Col Forbin]

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.

[GeoFisher]

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,

[jcclark]

BUT would you take that boat to KY or
Later,

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.