cruising range

[jmeyers278]

Hey I know many of you here have 270's.....I was wondering what you thought the cruising range on my 01 270 with 350 mag and bravo 3 would be.....I'm pretty sure the stealer said it had a hundred gallon fuel tank...  we are planning on some trips in the new boat and need to know how far I can go between fuel stops...thanks in advance guys

[PartsMan]

I think you'll be around 2 mile per gallon at cruising speed. You'll find the boat performs better with half filled fuel tank. No need for the extra weight unless your making the long trips.

[alswagg]

On an extreamly smooth day, you might get close to 2.0 mpg, but in reality closer to 1.5-1.7 mpg,  this is taken at 28 to 30 mph.  Bottom paint will shed off some milage to a point, so will a dirty algea covered bottom.  In reallity, you have a 100 mile cruise range with some to spare.  In rough water, ie 4 to 8 foot seas, millage will drop significantly.   Good luck  Al

[PartsMan]

  sounds right on

[Spacelord]

I figure about 2 miles/gallon in my 270 with the 350.

[kirk94]

On an extreamly smooth day, you might get close to 2.0 mpg, but in reality closer to 1.5-1.7 mpg,  this is taken at 28 to 30 mph.  Bottom paint will shed off some milage to a point, so will a dirty algea covered bottom.  In reallity, you have a 100 mile cruise range with some to spare.  In rough water, ie 4 to 8 foot seas, millage will drop significantly.   Good luck  Al

What Al said, "in reality". Previous owner put smart craft on on my ECM , I have a 03' with bottom paint, radar arch both biminis, gen, 3/4 fuel, too much gear, bourbon, & 21P blades and I cruise around 12.7-13.1  gph @ 23-27mph gps.. I truly feel that the bottom paint thought he boat though, You can almost hear the drag difference in a non painted bottom boat. Boats surprisingly are not specked with any weight in them nor bottom paint.

I prob get a little worse with the 21P props BUT it gets me closer to WOT with gear for 350 mag

[jmeyers278]

hmmm wanting to make a trip to peoria on the river and there is a stretch of 122 miles without fuel

[alswagg]

Well hold on then,  You had mentioned while cruising.   which is not your best available mpg, but even so you will make it.  Just top off before heading out.  Al

[Dream 'Inn]

Another thing that may help, is river cruising is usually a bit calmer.  & I'd guess in one direction you will get a bit better going with the "flow".  Or, if there is tidal change, then time it right both ways.  I guess you could always carry a proper container of gas on the swim platform just in case?

[DZ]

But don't forget to factor in the extra drag from hitting all the Asian carp on the way up too!

[jmeyers278]

 

[trich11]

One thing to consider on the trip is there is one lock between Grafton and Havana. If you get held up there you could burn some fuel. The good part about that lock is there is room to get to the side of the river and toss an anchor while you wait. The lock just south of Peoria is the same way but you will have had a chance to fuel up in Havana prior to getting there.

[jmeyers278]

thanks for the tip trich....we are looking forward to the trip

[frodo13056]

I had an 03 270 with the Merc. 350 / 300 HP / Bravo III drive and would get about 2 MPG. I installed a fuel flow monitoring system and trust me, it pays for itself just in knowing how much fuel you've used, how much you have and what your burn rate is.
Here's a link from a thread about this topic from few years ago:

http://www.rinkerboatowners.com/forum/index.php/topic,2829.msg24626.html#msg24626

I'll never own another boat without fuel monitoring - the peace of mind is worth every penny and you can also set your cruising speed / trim /tabs to get the best fuel burn rather than going by the "feel".

Just an FYI: You'll certainly use more fuel heading up river simply because you are going against the current. When the Illinois river is running high, you could see current at 3+ knots which will certainly affect your fuel burn. Good news is that you gain that when heading back down river :-)

Another FYI - there used to be a fuel dock on the west side of the river around Beardstown - it's not really a dock but rather an old barge that was setup as a fuel dock. The barge is old and rusty, the pumps look like they were about 100 years old but they worked. There is also a bar there. I don't recall the mile marker but if in doubt, look for it and refuel there. You really do not want to be on the river without any gas - too easy to wind up in the path of a barge.

I did the Ottawa to St. Louis cruise about 8 years ago and it was a blast! Make sure you have charts for the river along with a good GPS - sometimes you come to an island and without charts or a detailed GPS, you won't know which side of the island is the shipping lane and which side will get shallow and ground you.

Good luck!

[Tony Walker]

Ditto from me regarding the value of a fuel flow monitor system.  I also would not be without one.

Tony
Salt Shaker 342