TOPIC: Fuel consumption/1400

Now that I am getting "close" to my first launch, I'm wondering if someone could tell me what my expected fuel consumption should be for my '72 1400 Thunderbolt. I know a lot depends on speed, condition, tune, prop, etc., but I have no previous boating experience and so have no frame of reference whatsoever.

Just for discussion, say 1/2 to 2/3 throttle, which I assume would be a decent cruising speed. I have a 12 gallon tank and am just curious how long I can go on it.

Thanks!

Dave
Manassas

At 2/3 thirds throttle you may not get much more than 1-1/2 hrs running time.

My 1350 is pretty conservative on fuel if you stay out of WOT and I would imagine your 1400 would be pretty similar. Full throttle will burn about 10 gallons an hour but back it down to 1/2-3/4 and it drops to 4-5 gallons an hour. It will idle all afternoon on a gallon.

We generally get 3-4 hours worth of run time out of 10-12 gallons of gas.

Thanks for the replies guys. Good to know. I guess this is more incentive for me to one day do something about cleaning out my underfloor tank that is not hooked up to anything. ROFL

My .02 worth if you care to know......agreeing with Jerrylube, the run time he states equals about what my 1400 does...now, for me that equals about 3 gallons for traveling approx 10-12 miles. Where I pull my PowerCat out of the water is approx 5-6 miles from my boat dock. I know to have about a 1/4 tank (6 gallon tank)before I strike out for the ramp. A 1/4 tank will be almost gone when I arrive. Good luck with your Merc!

I third Jerry .Ive got a 1150 on a CV16 Glastron .Mines a little better than Jerrys .if you run WOT she will burn some fuel .They say for outboards at WOT 1 gallon an hour for every 10 hp .so a 1400 would be 14 gallons per hour at WOT .But my cv will easily cruise or tow a tube at 1/4 .
Larry