Fuel mpg

on a sea ray 18 foot I/O
do w

on a sea ray 18 foot I/O
do we get better fuel economy
with a 4.3L alpha I MCM (190 H.P.)
or with the 3.0L (130 H.P.)

"With a small boat like an 18f

"With a small boat like an 18fter,.....
It has Way More to do with the motion of Your Righthand, than the Size of the motor.....

But,.....
With Everything the Same,...
The smaller motor would Probably yeild Better Mileage......"

"I would probably qualify the

"I would probably qualify the fuel economy question with what Bondo said, plus the issue of how efficient is the hull, hydrodynamically and what is the weight of the boat? If it takes an act of God just to get the boat to move, you're going to be at a higher throttle position with the 3.0L than with the 4.3L while running at any speed. Keep the hull clean and waxed, make sure the motor is always well tuned with fresh fuel, use the right prop on it and you should be OK with either motor but it's similar to a car- if you nail it every time you start, you're going to waste a lot of fuel. The gear ratio of the drive will make a difference too, but don't expect miracles from a 3.0L motor.

How you'll use the boat makes a big difference, too. If you plan to ski with large people being towed, the 4.3L will work better. If you'll be pulling little kids on tubes, they'll both work."