Thinking about a trip from the Sacramento Delta out to San Francisco Bay, and charts tell me it is about 80 miles, one-way. With gas being $5 /gallon on the water, I'm trying to figure a fuel budget before I take the trip...hopefully I'll get some friends to chip in gas $$.

I have the 6.2 MPI's with 28" Bravo props. My optimum cruise speed seems to be about 50-55 MPH. Any fellow 292 owners know what typical GPH consumption is, and what you've found to be your best MPG, economical cruise speed\RPM?

See this thread - http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/s...d.php?t=190481

My SC5000 typcially shows 1.8 mpg running 50-55 mph and I have that exact set-up. Seems to hold and average of 1.6-2.0 mpg from 38-55 mph. Of course, wind and waves can effect fuel efficiency. 50mph and neutral trim is a nice, efficient cruise.

Oh, and the above numbers are on fresh water at 450 ft altitude, so you should do a little better on salt and at sea level.

After I top off the tank my range shown on the SC5000 is typically 200+ miles when cruising. You should be fine, but I would definitely top her off though. Hey, you gotta spend it on something, right?! IMO, money very well spent!

Sounds like a fun trip!

I am 500 ft above sea level on a river as well and at 50 mph on the GPS, I am getting 24 gph for both motors, or 12 gph per motor. depending on my direction on the river, I can run anywhere between 3700 and 4000 rpms for 50 mph.

Thanks much, guys. If I can do the round trip on a tank of gas, not so bad. And it is sweet to anchor up off the tip of Alcatraz and eat lunch in the middle of all that scenery...

You should be able to do it on a tank of gas, but fuel economy does get worse when waves get bigger. So for safety you should add fuel before returning home but I guess you intend to do that.

Absolutely - my gauge gets schizo once I'm near a 1/4 tank, so I never push that gauge too far to the left.

I've always wondered - When the factory caibrated the sender\gauge, is it with the boat sitting in the water (or at the same angle) or with the bottom flat on a trailer or stands?

I am thinking that the fuel tank, or at least the bottom half is in the shape of a 'V', thus casuing irratic reading when the fuel gets into the 'V' section.

Hi rhsj2006 Great to hear you're cruising to the BAY. I grew up in the bay area. My father and I fished all over the delta and use to watch the BIG BOYS race in Benecia. rhsj2006... just remember about the out-going tide on the way back, you could burn up more fuel than estimated. Shemless,4mulafastech,and 454 are right on, I like cruising 3600.. have a great and safe trip

Thanks for the tip, Don. I'll definitely be topping off somewhere during the trip.


Depnding on the day, I may get lucky enough to be going west when the tide is going out, and get a push on the backside from the incoming tide while driving back to the Delta.

Sweetttttt..... You'll be the first stock 292 to hit 77