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View Full Version : Ski boat fuel economy?

Wakesetter03
February 3rd, 2012, 06:56 AM
Ok, I doubt I'll be able to get much help on these forums, but whilst I'm waiting for a response on the Nautique forums, I'll see what happens.

We wakeboard a lot, and in early 2010 we bought our first correct craft, a Nautique SA230. It has always had bad fuel economy compared to previous boats (Malibu, Mastercraft) that we've had, but recently it's been getting far worse.

My dad is furious with Correct Craft due to them denying a fault in our boat, yet recently on a holiday to a local dam to wakeboard, as went through $4,000 in fuel.

Now I know a V8 motor isn't going to get fuel economy like a Golf Diesel (it has the LS...2 I think? Its a 6.0l Chevy crate motor) but this is horrible fuel economy for between 25-35 hours of work.

The boat has been checked thoroughly yet still no issue has been found, except that we know there is a leak somewhere.
We have since then decided to stop using it to stop polluting waterways etc.

The motor has had a full service done (plugs, flush, injector compression tests etc) and still has the issue.

My dad has decided to sell the boat but we can't sell it with the problem it has currently.
Does anyone have any knowledge of motors and more specifically Chevy motors who may know of a fault with these engines? It uses far to much just to be running rich and we've checked all that we can.

Any ideas?
racer94
February 4th, 2012, 12:33 PM
I have that engine in my truck and it just a GAS HAWGGG!!!! sorry to hear about your boat problem. we have a 24' Tige. It has the 5.7 and weve never had any trouble with the fuel consumption. It may be the way you drive the boat but the type of consumtion you are saying sounds like there is a MUCH more serious problem.

Sry i couldnt help much. :/
Wakesetter03
February 4th, 2012, 06:05 PM
Its fine now, we got rid of the boat :) Nautique admitted the issue that there was a fuel leak somewhere which gave the boat an equivalent of around 33 liters per hundred kilometers (5-7 miles per gallon)
Nautique have since bought the boat back off of us and we have ordered another Malibu, which is what we'll stay with for a few years.
racer94
February 5th, 2012, 12:22 AM
Ya, we used to have a malibu until we hit a stump due to the horrible Texas drought. It didnt look like too much damage but it had alot of hours on it so the insurance company basically totalled it and gave us money for a new one. We went up to the local boat place and they gave us a deal we couldnt refuse on a "demo" tige. The deal was un real but i miss the wake the malibu made (smoother, better lip). Have fun with your new malibu.
Wakesetter03
February 6th, 2012, 12:53 AM
Have to wait a few weeks. It's being built :/
If the wake is half as good as our old Sunsetter I'm excited.
gone123
February 6th, 2012, 02:25 AM
We went up to the local boat place and they gave us a deal we couldnt refuse on a "demo" tige.

Wait a demo model? unless it was just a floor model than I wouldn't of done that, if it was one of the demo's that the company brings out to let potential customers try out than I can say from experience that those demo's aren't treated very well at all. But if it was just one of the one's they have on the showroom floor than it should be mostly alright.
racer94
February 6th, 2012, 06:43 PM
Wait a demo model? unless it was just a floor model than I wouldn't of done that, if it was one of the demo's that the company brings out to let potential customers try out than I can say from experience that those demo's aren't treated very well at all. But if it was just one of the one's they have on the showroom floor than it should be mostly alright.

Yeah, when i said "DEMO" i meant like a floor model and one they take to boat shows. It was never put in the water prior to us getting it. It is actually a great boat and since it was a demo boat, it is LOADED with almost every option. They put a BEAST speaker tower.
Wakesetter03
February 7th, 2012, 04:42 AM
Wait a demo model? unless it was just a floor model than I wouldn't of done that, if it was one of the demo's that the company brings out to let potential customers try out than I can say from experience that those demo's aren't treated very well at all. But if it was just one of the one's they have on the showroom floor than it should be mostly alright.

...Guilty :)