1996 speedster fuel economy data report

[Cablebandit]

TLDR: 3.39 mpg measured over 81 miles


We went to the tennessee river today and rode a total of 91 miles....81 miles on the tank and 10 on the reserve. We started off at 30mph which seemed to be around 4500-5000 rpms and not at optimum fuel economy range. after about 10 miles we sped up to 35mph which put me around 5500 rpms and seemed to help economy. Maybe 6k would do even better and i will test that soon.

My 96 has new carbon seals/orings, new wear rings and decent stock impellers. 82 deg....full tank with me and the wife FYI This mileage is what I would consider normal for this particular motor/boat combo from seadoo.

 

[jhjesse]

How big is your tank?
I run the Tennessee river all the time and when I had my 99 Challenger 1800 (just sold a couple months ago) I could go all weekend on a 40 gallon tank of fuel cruising between 5800 and 6000 rpms.
I would put in at the Chicagamauga Dam and cruise all the way to the Highway 58 bridge on the Hiwassee River and back with just under 1/2 tank.

 

[Cablebandit]

How big is your tank?
I run the Tennessee river all the time and when I had my 99 Challenger 1800 (just sold a couple months ago) I could go all weekend on a 40 gallon tank of fuel cruising between 5800 and 6000 rpms.
I would put in at the Chicagamauga Dam and cruise all the way to the Highway 58 bridge on the Hiwassee River and back with just under 1/2 tank.

24 gallon tank with 3 gallon reserve. I just pulled my plugs and they are still very rich. I have idle at 1 turn out and wot needle is turned in as much as the caps will allow. i may need to take the caps off and make sure the HS needles are seating

We put in at TN River Park and rode South to Hales Marinas/Bar then down to nickajack cave before coming back

 

[jhjesse]

24 gallon tank with 3 gallon reserve. I just pulled my plugs and they are still very rich. I have idle at 1 turn out and wot needle is turned in as much as the caps will allow. i may need to take the caps off and make sure the HS needles are seating

We put in at TN River Park and rode South to Hales Marinas/Bar then down to nickajack cave before coming back

That's my favorite river run. We put in just below the Dam in Chattanooga at the River Park and go through downtown, around Moccasin Bend through the narrows past Williams Island going on past Raccoon Mountain and all the way to Hales Bar Marina then back. Probably 80mi round trip. We do that run on the jet skis. My DI skis will have fuel left over and my 255hp RXT will be sucking fumes.

 

[ORION '95 Speedster]

Interesting. Thanks for the MPG info.

 

[Cablebandit]

Well now I am confused. I went to fill up and expected the Speedster to take 27 gallons. It only took 24 with gas coming out of the vent once the pump nozzle kicked off. I tried to "pack" the gas in and couldn't get over 24 gallons. I thought I had a 24 gallons + 3 reserve capacity. Maybe it's a 24 gallon tank and 3 of that is "reserve". If that's the case, my fuel economy number changes to 3.79mpg.

My friend who took me on this trip has a 2004 Sportster with the 155hp 4-tec and said he calculated 5mpg upon fill up.

 

[ORION '95 Speedster]

It would be interesting to see what the exact mileage is. Using a GPS for distance traveled, I think it could be done using this method:

Install a "T" in the fuel lines, with shut off valves.
All a 1 gallon fuel tank (duct taped in place, for temporary use)
Get the boat up to top speed, and then switch the fuel valves over to the 1 gallon tank.
Track distance before the engine cuts out.

This could be done at different speeds, in order to find the best fuel economy. Might be useful info for people that went out too far, and are trying to make it home on reserve.

Just an idea.

 

[Cablebandit]

oh yeah i could easily do this but as it stands, i want to find out exactly how much the stock tank holds. The manual says 24+3 reserve.....

 

[ORION '95 Speedster]

So its a 27 gallon fuel tank. That number will be a reasonably close estimate, but not exact. Keep in mind that the fuel "sucker" tubes in the fuel tank will not allow "all" of the fuel to be drawn out of the tank, and that the orientation of the boat will effect how much fuel the tank will accept.

 

[IDoSeaDoo]

Curious as to what my 97 Challenger with the 185hp 4tec gets. Now that things have calmed down what with all the vacations and family and projects. I've always been curious. My custom tank holds about 32gal.

 

[Cablebandit]

Curious as to what my 97 Challenger with the 185hp 4tec gets. Now that things have calmed down what with all the vacations and family and projects. I've always been curious. My custom tank holds about 32gal.

I would GUESS between 4.5 to 5mpg