[Boat PICS] Introducing the SS Critterus

[JRD77VET]

Originally Posted by Joecooool

Had dinner with two very seasoned boat captains tonight and showed them this thread.

My 1 mpg estimate was optimistic.

Neither of them thought the boat would get more than half a mile per gallon at any speed.

I would think his 13gph is at just over idle. But on plane, I would find that extremely hard to believe.

My Mom and StepDad had a 32' and then a 38' Carver ( cabin cruiser ), both were powered by twin small block mercruisers and they were quite thirsty. I can't see big blocks getting better fuel mileage.

[Kevin_73]

Originally Posted by chinaski

The Cessna 172N (1978 Model) I fly in daily with an engine upgrade (Lycoming O-360) burns about 12 gallons per hour full rich at cruise (2250-2300 RPM). Roughly a 360 cubic inch air cooled 4 cylinder, 180 horsepower. Carbureted with a climb prop.

Not exactly the same, just sayin...

The I/O-550 in my dads Beechcraft Bonanza burns 14-15 gph at cruise.

It is a nice boat John, and I hope you have a lot of fun in it. I just don't believe your numbers.

[1911fool]

So y'all are saying basically 45 GPH @ 45 mph is closer to reality?

hooolllllyyyy fuccccckkk

[RED-85-Z51]

Can a 4V carb even flow 1/2gallon per minute?

[GRN ENVY]

looking up new cigarette boats, those don't even come close to his numbers. the new boats which have todays technology, and better motors only see .85 to 1.1 miles to the gallon, which is still the 60+ gph. You may want to reanalyze this endeavor

[1911fool]

Originally Posted by RED-85-Z51

Can a 4V carb even flow 1/2gallon per minute?

I don't think it has carbs, just a fuel line dumping into the intake.

[MrPeabody]

Originally Posted by 1911fool

I don't think it has carbs, just a fuel line dumping into the intake.

They have toilets mounted on top of the intake manifold in constant flush mode.

[RED-85-Z51]

Looking through a few sites, they list the ~430hp MErcruiser 8.1 V8 at about 32GPH consumption @ WOT....

So, 2 of these at, lets say 1/2 power, around 30-35gph,

Probably end up, 45mph, about 25gph-ish, depending on the prop, surface conditions, and how often you change your batteries...

[Admiral Blue]

I am all for powerboats and have always loved them, however, I am with JoeCoool and the others here. There is no way that boat is that efficient. Also, as mentioned, it is not a Cig. I hope he is not telling you he is selling you one.

I have always liked those Excaliburs. They have decent cabins--I know, not why most people buy those boats. But, when cabin time is needed, these, Sonics, Black Thunders are much appreciated.

Good luck with it, but make sure you are very conservative with all of the cost estimates.

[Kerrmudgeon]

Cool boat for the rich and famous. Lots of shag room below decks for the groupie chicks.

[RED-85-Z51]

This thread has hit a snag..

[Millenium Vette]

Congratulations DJ, nice looking Excalibur. I'm not going to enter into the debate on fuel consumption but do have a few things I would advise doing. The first is to get a survey by a qualified marine surveyor. Even if you have already bought the boat. You wil probably need one to get insurance anyways. You want to know if there are any structural problems that need attention.
Another thing is to inspect the outdrives and replace the bellows if they have not recently been done. Does the boat have TRS drives? I think most of the go-fasts back in the day came with them. Also replace any seals that are old while the drives are off the boat.
Replace the raw water cooling hoses if they haven't been done. That is the fastest way to sink a boat. Replace the vent lines from the fuel tanks, they rot out over time. Also replace any impellers while you are in there. Are the fuel tanks galvanized? Gasoline turns the galvanization into sand in the fuel that will clog up your anti-siphon valves and will also clog the fuel filters in no time.

Preventative maintenance is a lot more fun than getting towed in.

[Olustee bus]

That is a helluva boat there. You take care of it and you could probably come close to getting your money back in a couple of years and have had a lot of fun on it for that time.

[69camfrk]

Boat is bad ass. Hell, I couldn't afford the gas...

[GentleBen]

Originally Posted by Kerrmudgeon

Cool boat for the rich and famous. Lots of shag room below decks for the groupie chicks.

Ahh, but DJ has supposedly moved his lady love in with him and unless she is a lot more understanding than any lady I have ever met will not appreciate any activity, above or below deck, with any groupie chicks.

[War Eagle ZO6]

Originally Posted by DJ_Critterus

I have a place to keep it on a lift on Doctors Lake with access to the St. Johns River about 5 miles from my house.

The current owner says it drinks about 13 gallons an hour at a cruising speed of 45mph. That's not bad at all.

[Sea Six]

Personally, I'm going to go with DJ's opinion of gas consumption, based on his stated extensive experience with boats.

[War Eagle ZO6]

Originally Posted by Sea Six

Personally, I'm going to go with DJ's opinion of gas consumption, based on his stated extensive experience with boats.

Those numbers don't even make sense if we were talking about per engine.

[island14]

Originally Posted by RED-85-Z51

Can a 4V carb even flow 1/2gallon per minute?

We are about to find out..

...with John's wallet

Originally Posted by 69camfrk

Boat is bad ass. Hell, I couldn't afford the gas...

The boat would be a lot of fun, and trips over to the Bahamas sounds like a tons of fun.

But I couldn't afford the gas either, and know from my own boating experience that most buddys just want to ride along for free, and no one wants to chip in on the fuel.

[LATB]

Originally Posted by LarsAtTheBeach

I believe the Excalibur was made by Wellcraft not Cigarette.

Originally Posted by Admiral Blue

Also, as mentioned, it is not a Cig. I hope he is not telling you he is selling you one.