175 Suzuki performance and fuel usage

[jergofish]

I now have 20 hours on my engine and have gathered some numbers on performance and fuel usage. (The boat is equipped with a Lowrance 337 GPS/Sonar and I added the EP-10 fuel meter, cheap at $49.00)

Engine - Suzuki 175 big block 4 stroke, 14.75x23 stainless prop

1800 RPM 6mph 1.0 gallons per hour
3500 RPM 24mph 4.9 gallons per hour
4000 RPM 29mph 6.9 gallons per hour
5900 RPM 45mph 14.0 gallons per hour

5900 RPM is Wide Open Throttle

I'm really pleased. I had my fingers crossed that I could stay under 5.0 GPH and it looks like I'm OK. My average fishing day usually consists of 1 1/2 hours cruising and maybe another hour at idle. The rest of the time I'm being pulled by the trolling motor. I should be able to stay under ten gallons per trip.

I found that the Minnkota 80AP trolling motor will pull me at 4 mph. I have no clue how long the batteries will last. I operated them for five hours one day and the battery meter still showed 75% charge!

[Codfish]

WOW, that is great. Now the question has to be, will that motor power the new 23' when and if it gets launched.

Your GPH at 3500 is very similar to my 140 4S. Your speed is about 4 higher though. Looks like you are getting better than 4 mpg at that throttle setting. Fantastic for a 21' boat.

Like I said before, I wish the 175 had been available in '04.

Codfish

[jergofish]

Thanks Codfish. One interesting thing. The big Bennett trim tabs (18x9) effectively extend the waterline by nine inches. They really are doing some work even when all the way up at 3500 rpm. The big paddles have about nine inches of water stepped up on each side of them and in the center at the motor when traveling at that speed. I think they help the mileage slightly. As I increase speed the effect is less, the wake flattens out all across the stern.