Fuel range in a 28zx
 

I have a 2001 28 zx with twin 350 mag mpi power. Running completely stock mercruiser risers, corsa exhaust, bravo 1's with 1.50 ratio, and mirage 23p's).

I havent taken it on a long journey yet, but would like to try out lake erie, going frosay, Geneva on the Lake to Cedar Point.

I saw someone post 3mpg on a similar boat. Is this realistic? I have a 94 gallon tank. Cruising at, say 55mph.

Thanks!

Mike

3 mpg sounds pretty high to me, I used to get around 1.5-1.7 mpg cruising at about 3300 rpm on my old boat with a 350 mag. Your probably safe figuring 150 mile range, and more than likely end up with about a 220 mile range, ive never really seen any boat with less than 150.

Awesome... Exactly what I was looking for. Thanks!

fixx
 

find yourseld a pair of 22p revolution 4 bladers..thease will give you way better fuel economy..my buddy burned 1/3 rd lass fuel with his 292..

I get just about 3 mpg, fishinSucks gets 3 mpg. The hulls are pretty efficient.

If you manage less than 2mpg you are doing something wrong.

Vette is right on. With my twin 350 mags, 1.5:1 ratio, 23p Mirage plus 3 blades, in a 92 mile round trip with about 6 slow-downs I burned 33 gallons cruising around 55-60 and some WOT moments. during that same run, our friends with a 2000 28zx, same set up and a 28zx scorpion burned 35 and 37 gallons respectively. they were also doing more wide open running than us. Enjoy Lake Erie, it's a lot of fun. We've been to Put In Bay many a times and Cedar Point as well with our 28ZX, fun times.

tom

I see where you have a 2008 28 ZXO and was wondering what engines, and props you run. Speed? Etc.... I have 07 with twin 6.2's and 25P Mirage Plus 3 blade props. Been thinking about switching to four blades, but would like some input from other owners of the 28 ZX or ZXO.

Oh, and sorry for high-jacking thread..... Hope you dont mind my question.

what rpm's are you guys cruising at to get 3mpg? running 4000 rpm's I burned 57 gallons on a ninety mile trip with a few wot moments.

I would guess youd have to run at 3500 rpm - right at easy cruise. I did 62 miles and used 45 gallons.

That was at WOT most of the way...

600sci - stage 2 Whipple upgrade fuel usage.
 

Firstly, hello Shag, hope you've been keeping well.

Not long ago I decided to actually pay a little attention to fuel economy on one trip. Haven't done it since and don't plan on doing it again.

At 55 mph average for a 80 mile trip, I consumed 50 US gallons of fuel.

Just a little reference point for you. I don't ever want to know what my consumption rate is at WOT.

Fearless010 (Peter)

Not sure how 4 blades run on a 28. My 03 came with 25p mirage plus as well and i chanegd those out to a 27p to get a little more top end. I have 2 sets of them, one labbed and one stock. Going to the 27's made it a little harder from the holeshot with a crowd on the boat but the acceleration and top end was worth it.

Hello Peter! Good to hear from you!

If you and I are talking about the same run, OK, not ALL WOT, but pretty damn close (at least with the small blocks)!

Since you've got MPI's
Look at the Smartcraft gauge from Merc.
I have a single 496HO..
I use it for instant GPH, lets you find the best economy/speed.
Also gives you a whole bunch of engine info, you scrolll through the info.

I was actually thinking of a run in Lake Ontario where my wife and I went from Hamilton Harbour to the Niagara river and back. Extremely calm and sticky water, if you know what I mean. Mind you, come to think of it, I think my fill up after the Buffalo Poker Run was about the same amount. Maybe a tiny shade less.

Fearless010 (Peter)

so nobody that gets 3mpg has any input?

Just saw this thread was alive again...

I run under 4000 when cruising. I try to get the boat to run in the 45 MPH range when the hull feels freed up but the engines are still turning much less than 4k... With the 26 bravos I want to say 3300-ish because it always seems to slow down a lot at 3200 so I can never keep it that low.

For long runs 'fast' cruise is 3800. regular cruise is more of a butt feel on where the hull frees up and we are running. Tabs all the way up... I have played with the drive trim enough to know where the most efficient spots are to squeeze out the most speed possible for a particular trim setting... and even then I'll bump in/out to try to tweak the last MPH out of it. It also seems to help to get the boat moving faster first then back down.... so I'll run up to 3800-4000 for 30 seconds to get the boat moving then back down to cruising speed. If I run up to a slow cruise it takes forever (or maybe never) to get the most speed out of a particular RPM.

I can say without a doubt running too slow the boat gets horrible mileage and is worse than running too fast. I ran one time with friends in a small Tahoe and burned more fuel on that trip dragging tabs with a fully wetted hull than I ever have at any other speeds.

I have noticed the same with mine.

My 2006 28 with 350's is most efficient at 3400 RPM which is 44-45mph as Vette said. A friend of mine loaned me his Diacom software and cable so I could run my laptop on the boat. Best fuel economy was at this point with B-Blades labbed 26 Bravos. Mine planes at 3100 with the K planes up. I have 1.65 drives.

Just got on here after not checking for a while. I run mine (01 28 zx t350's) with the stock set up (except for exhaust tips and a large stereo) with about 4 people all the time in relatively smooth water between 3500 and 4000 rpms. In that range it seems to be really efficient. I tried some 4 bladed 26's and it actually slowed my boat down a bit on top end but it got out of the whole a lot easier with a full load of gas and people. Couldn't blow the props out at all( and I tried to believe me.)