Outboard fuel consumption.

[ozzibod]

Good evening fellow Top Hatters,
I thought I would run past you the query in my mind.
How many litres per nautical mile should an outboard motor consume to push a Top Hat at about 4.5 to 5 knots?
I have a 1993 8hp Extra long shaft two stroke Evinrude "Yachtwin" which uses about 1 litre per nautical mile at about half revs.
The fuel mix I use is 50:1 and I have it serviced every 12 months.
Any input, ideas, comments would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers
Austin

[Miker]

Hey Austin,

I have a 2005 8HP Tohatsu 4 stroke, it seems to use about 2 litres an hour max, and uses standard unleaded. It hangs on a stern bracket because the head doesn't fit in the well. This makes it a little clunky to deal with when docking, but in general terms it's much quieter and less smelly than having it in the cockpit.

Your two stroke does sound thirsty, but the older two strokes were never as efficient as the modern ones, and a far cry from the efficiency of the current four strokes.

Michael

[Tales]

Tales has a 6hp Suzuki 4 stroke (2004). Uses about 1litre/hr at 4 knots (no wind) and around 1.5litre/hr at 4.5 to 5 knots (no wind).
The motor is mounted in the well. I have fitted a prop which is finer than supplied in order to let the motor develop useful power. It actually came from the 4hp varient of the Suzuki range.
Cheers,
Tom