FUEL EFFICIENT

Dear Mick,

I bought a new boat last year, and I’m trying to figure out a way to make my pride and joy faster and more efficient. I have smoothed and faired the bottom, removed most of the unnecessary gear that was adding speed-robbing weight, and now I want to see what can be done with the engine and propeller. It is a single-outboard-powered “speed” boat from the 1970s that I found, literally, in a barn. What are some things I can do to soup up this baby and get more speed and more fuel efficiency out of it?

Owen Sharp

Portland, Oregon

A:

Removing excess weight is one of the easiest and most effective things boaters can do to increase speed and enhance fuel efficiency. A fair, smooth bottom helps too. Many racing boaters take this a step further and “dress” the chines, strakes and transom, using abrasives to create a sharp edge on those corners. Since water breaks cleaner off a sharp edge, more speed may be obtained. This is an advanced technique requiring specialized knowledge to perform correctly.

As for the engine, keep it in perfect tune, feed it good fuel and have the prop sent out for reconditioning. Try remounting the engine higher, moving it up one bolt hole at a time.

For more advanced performance-enhancing techniques, check out our article by go-fast guru Eric Colby at boating mag.com/ten-tips-to-improve-performance-your-outboards.