Fuel Cost Just How Much Money Are You Locals Spending?

[GNSfishing]

I don't know how much longer it's gonna take for folks to get over the whole 87 octane/E10-15 - outboard scare propaganda.....but whenever you do I just want to be on record (for the last 2+years) of telling you that it's BS.

Yes yes I've seen the split open primer bulbs sitting on marina counters all over the country,.... but here's the deal ; Go buy some 87% fuel that you wouldn't dare burn in your outboard because of what you've read, been told, or been shown by others in the industry, then go buy the cheapest primer bulb on the market (like a Tempo from Wal-mart) or even one that's been in your garage trash can for three months and go soak that rascal in that "poison fuel" and see if you can make it look like that one you saw displayed wherever you get your boat worked on, using nothing but that fuel.

After you fail to see that rubber turn to mushy goo try again, but this time add some Stabil, Seafoam, Carbon guard, 24C, or one of those other "recommended" additives that you hear everyone praise so highly, and see if you have better success melting rubber.

What you say is for the newer outboards, there are still some of the older outboards that were produced before the 87 unleaded gas was switched to. I know of a 1983 150 Evinrude that has to have the 91 plus a booster added to that for it to run. It also will turn in excess of 6000 RPMs if you push it. It will out perform any of the new 150's and some 175's on the same type of the boat. It is a real fuel burner if you open it up but doesn't do too bad at around 4000 RPMs on fuel use . It was checked over last year and all cylinders were above 100 lbs of compression and the person who checked it out was surprised with the performance it produced. It has never been blown and has not had any work done on it. It is as it was when it was purchased new, I know because I bought it new in 1983 on a 350 V Ranger from Sports Boats. So for these older outboards stay away from the 87 octane/E10-15 fuels unless you want to destroy it..

[fishinwrench]

If I can remember I think that XRI likes her sauce a little spicier. Probably a good shot of 91 would make her purr. in 1995 I was running an Evinrude.. I bet Wrench knows for sure

There is nothing special about the XRI that would demand higher octane fuel than what you burn in your truck, as a matter of fact I believe that system is equipped with a detonation sensor so even if you ran sub-standard fuel the ECM would sort it all out.

Again, do you guys realize that you're paying BIG BUCKS for high tech SMART ENGINES and then worrying yourself sick about how delicate and stupid they are ? If you don't have faith in your "colors", and the R&D designers of them then I'm at a loss.

They are all good motors, even the ones I don't personally like are way better than I give them credit for. No production engine designer is going to mass produce (and hope to sell) a series of outboards that their owners have to get a Phd in fuel formulas in order to operate and enjoy them.....its just the opposite.

Sure, someday it's gonna break (Thank Dog!) but it won't be your fault for not being on top of the quality of fuel you are able to buy near your home.

If you wanna sweat something then worry about that cranking battery, because I see more high dollar ignition/charging system failures due to failing batterys or dirty & loose terminal connections than I do "poor fuel" caused issues, X10.

[fishinwrench]

What you say is for the newer outboards, there are still some of the older outboards that were produced before the 87 unleaded gas was switched to. I know of a 1983 150 Evinrude that has to have the 91 plus a booster added to that for it to run. It also will turn in excess of 6000 RPMs if you push it. It will out perform any of the new 150's and some 175's on the same type of the boat. It is a real fuel burner if you open it up but doesn't do too bad at around 4000 RPMs on fuel use . It was checked over last year and all cylinders were above 100 lbs of compression and the person who checked it out was surprised with the performance it produced. It has never been blown and has not had any work done on it. It is as it was when it was purchased new, I know because I bought it new in 1983 on a 350 V Ranger from Sports Boats. So for these older outboards stay away from the 87 octane/E10-15 fuels unless you want to destroy it..

The 90° crossflow was/still is a BEAST! I absolutely love them so I'm not gonna split hairs with ya, but I suspect your tach might be off a tad or you are slightly underpropped

They are extremely forgiving as far as fuel and your 1983 should have the brown crankshaft seals that will not die an early death from.alcohol exposure.

Most go down from overheat or plugged carb jets caused by the OIL turning to sludge in the carb bowl.....totally not a fuel formula issue.

NO work at all? Please replace the water pump this year and replace the primer valve. There is also a service bulletin advising that the "pee hose" be re- routed up and over the starboard cylinder head so that the water chamber fills completely at idle....otherwise you are running with one dry thermostat. Just FYI. (Ever notice that you have to rev it up before it 'pee's" ?)

[GNSfishing]

The 90° crossflow was/still is a BEAST! I absolutely love them so I'm not gonna split hairs with ya, but I suspect your tach might be off a tad or you are slightly underpropped

They are extremely forgiving as far as fuel and your 1983 should have the brown crankshaft seals that will not die an early death from.alcohol exposure.

Most go down from overheat or plugged carb jets caused by the OIL turning to sludge in the carb bowl.....totally not a fuel formula issue.

NO work at all? Please replace the water pump this year and replace the primer valve. There is also a service bulletin advising that the "pee hose" be re- routed up and over the starboard cylinder head so that the water chamber fills completely at idle....otherwise you are running with one dry thermostat. Just FYI. (Ever notice that you have to rev it up before it 'pee's" ?)

The prop is a 13-1/4 27 Shooter 4 blade or a 14 - 24 Hooter by Pendergrass. Speed by GPS is 58 - 62 MPH depending on load in the boat. Now the Tach could be off but not by much if any. Did receive a service bulletin in 1983 on de-tuning this engine to run the 87 octane unleaded or have to run the 91 octane. I decided to not de-tune and use 91 plus a booster. All regular maintenance items has been performed as laid out by Evinrude with the water pump being changed every year to 1-1/2 yrs use. What I meant was no major work on this motor such as re-build. Has always had higher water psi at idle than any new motor and yes primer valve was changed. It has always had Evinrude 50:1 oil this motor did not have oil injection that was year before it was added in 1984 on the Evinrude motor and never trusted none of the alcohol blended lower octane gasolines out there. This 30 year old motor is still going strong today.

[dblades]

What fuel do you guys recommend for my low hour 1995 Merc 200 EFI XRI? I am also using quick clean but in a little higher dose...

I only run gas from Rapid Roberts or another outlet with Chevron gas for the boat. The truck might run on Murphy's gas but I'm not taking a chance with the EFI.

[fishinwrench]

GNS, if you're turning a 27 @ 6000 you should be 72mph+

That's the fastest 150 crossflow/Ranger combo that I'm aware of.

I'd like to meet the guy that rigged it and pick his brain over a beer.

[GNSfishing]

GNS, if you're turning a 27 @ 6000 you should be 72mph+

That's the fastest 150 crossflow/Ranger combo that I'm aware of.

I'd like to meet the guy that rigged it and pick his brain over a beer.

I do not know who done the rigging. I purchased the boat at Sports Boats when they were between Forsyth and Hollister Mo. At that time a gentleman by the name of Wallace Lea and a salesman by the name of Kenny were there in 1983. I know there are a lot of guys who says that motor will not turn a 27 pitch but they believe it when they see it run. It has always ran like that and I don't know why but the boat will run higher on the water than most and when it starts to chine walk there is no way to drive out of it as most boats can be. I've had some say that it is one of Evinrude racing engines but I don't know that to be so. All I know it does run good.....

[Jerry Rapp]

for me 120 mile round trip with truck, $30. Maybe $15 in boat gas, a little oil, $5. Hot new baits, maybe $10. Boat insurance, who cares, you got to have it. (luckily I don't have a boat payment or truck payment) If fishing a derby, $60 per man. Add in a pre fish trip or two. Rods and reels, new line, electronics, hydrowave, powerpoles.... Geez, I hope I win $500 next weekend......

[tkite]

I drive KC to Pomme loz Truman or Stockton every week. $70 truck gas and $30-50 boat gas. More during tournies. I swear my 225 efi must have a hole in fuel system somewhere.

[rps]

I just read this interesting thread. Good stuff from many. Thanks.

I am almost embarrassed to tell this, but my drive to the marina is so short the engine does not warm. If I run to Viney and back and do a lot of big motor trolling with my 75 Etec, I might use 5 gallons of gas and a half cup of X100 oil that I bought in bulk. The gas at the marina, of course, is more expensive than at a service station, so my bill for a long day might be $22 to $25. Days up near Beaver are more in the $15 range.

To be fair I guess I would have to factor some portion of my slip rental and lift purchase. Lets call it $20 to $30 per trip. In a normal summer I will fish 2 or 3 times a week and in the Spring and Fall once a week.