Fuel $$ Crunch - Tahiti ?

[stephenkatsea]

Could something like a 2022 version of the old Tahiti's be a potential seller in these times? Granted, they'd need the right water conditions. Unfortunately, these extreme fuel prices are not likely going away soon. Our first boat was a used 18' Tahiti, made by Schuster Boats in Bellflower CA. Had a 120 hp, 4 cyl 2.5L GM Mercruiser, alpha 1 I/O, 12 gal fuel tank in the bow. Some of us know how capable those boats were. We could ski, tube and cruise on those 12 gals. We did extended stays on Mohave and Mead (on the right days at the right places).

Trying to imagine what an entry level family boat would be at today's crazy fuel prices? There are none. Might something like that work? Fossil fuels aren't going away for a while.

 

[HST4ME]

Floatin' is boatin, I know my 15 hp Mercury is going to get a hell of a work out this summer.

 

[sgtskidmark]

My first boat was a 18 foot Tahiti Jet with a 455 olds, I can’t wish that hell on my worst Enemy, however boat was solid engine can kiss my ass

 

[mobldj]

my 1st and best dam boat ever ! 4 banger i/o

 

[NicPaus]

Friend was selling 1 recently. He just called earlier I didn't ask if it sold $4500. 18' Tahiti with 4 banger.

My first boat was a 18' Tahiti. But had a 454 with a double pumper. Sucked the gas ️

 

[stephenkatsea]

My first boat was a 18 foot Tahiti Jet with a 455 olds, I can’t wish that hell on my worst Enemy, however boat was solid engine can kiss my ass

No doubt, some Tahiti hulls received big V8s pushing jets. Quick, for sure. Fuel efficient, not so much. A 454 etc with a double pumper, coasting downhill, wasn't fuel efficient. But, they were fun.

 

[SJP]

I just bought an 11 ft Boston Whaler with a 25HP Merc. Bimini - four seats the boat is awesome. I am using in CA but I could take the boat from Windsor to the channel 365 days a year if I chose to do so.

 

[DrunkenSailor]

The shockwave 21 step skier with a 250 outboard.

 

[mjc]

I just bought an 11 ft Boston Whaler with a 25HP Merc. Bimini - four seats the boat is awesome. I am using in CA but I could take the boat from Windsor to the channel 365 days a year if I chose to do so.

I keep looking at these in 18 ft, but my wife shuts me down.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

Buy a sub 25 foot boat with a small block Chevy. Most here deem such a boat unuseable for Havasu

 

[SJP]

I keep looking at these in 18 ft, but my wide shuts me down.

It really depends on the boating you are doing. Your overall mission is the primary driver and for two people I would consider alternatives such as skiff etc.

 

[ChrisV]

Was trying to get a 25 Daytona with a big block couple months ago. I guess my outboard will do fine this summer. Even though it ain't great on fuel either. haha

 

[Marios Metalworks]

305/alpha in the Baja. She sips the dino juice

 

[HST4ME]

A few years ago memorial weekend between my buddy and I we had five boats that broke the weekend before, mine had a voltage regulator fire, and the other Merc dorked me on shipping a driveshaft for my sporty, anyhoo we ended up in my 12 foot mirro craft 15 merc full of beer and a couple of bad attitudes and took off the other way up the river into tin boat land and found a party of 50-60 other tin boaters.

Was the most fun either of us had on the water in a long time, even in a crappy boat. For sure drank more beer than the gas we used.

I'd hate to be this guy

 

[Ricks raft]

Anything 21’ or under with a small block or sub 250 outboard will be relatively efficient. But these are boats, if you can get 3 mpg you’re doing pretty good.
And apparently you can’t boat on havasu on anything under 28’

 

[Ricks raft]

A few years ago memorial weekend between my buddy and I we had five boats that broke the weekend before, mine had a voltage regulator fire, and the other Merc dorked me on shipping a driveshaft for my sporty, anyhoo we ended up in my 12 foot mirro craft 15 merc full of beer and a couple of bad attitudes and took off the other way up the river into tin boat land and found a party of 50-60 other tin boaters.

Was the most fun either of us had on the water in a long time, even in a crappy boat. For sure drank more beer than the gas we used.

I'd hate to be this guy

Does $1000 for a weekend vs $400 really affect people in this category and above?
If I win the lottery I’ll let you know

 

[lbhsbz]

Does $1000 for a weekend vs $400 really affect people in this category and above?
If I win the lottery I’ll let you know

This was my thought. Gas was $4/gallon. Now it's $6.00.

In a normal weekend, if one were to burn 50 gallons of truck gas getting to/from the river, and say 100 gallons of boat gas, That's $600 vs $900...an extra $300.

Hold off on upgrading the steering wheel and trim tab indicator colors for this season and that should cover it.

 

[boatdoc55]

Just yesterday I told the wife she was to get up in the toon while in the RV garage and I'd push on the side of the boat to rock it and every once in a while throw a bucket of water on her!!! It didn't go over too well, something like get your sleeping bag and crawl up in there and sleep.

 

[77charger]

Anything 21’ or under with a small block or sub 250 outboard will be relatively efficient. But these are boats, if you can get 3 mpg you’re doing pretty good.
And apparently you can’t boat on havasu on anything under 28’

My 207 has 350 mag/alpha combo It’s pretty damn good on fuel especially cruising it under 3000 rpm. I’ve gone from lone rock to dangling rope on 7 gallons before. Now at 3500-4000 rpm well it changes quick but still get 3-4 mpg

 

[2Driver]

I wouldn't make a vehicle decision based on a sudden spike or drop in oil. It will change.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

I wouldn't make a vehicle decision based on a sudden spike or drop in oil. It will change.

Why people will go spend $50+k out of pocket to save a couple hundred bucks a month always baffles me.

 

[Todd Mohr]

I have this 06 Dana 20.5 with a 350 magnum, sips gas and will hit over 60 with a light load. I use it at Canyon Lake in Az most of the time. If I run it all day it’s hard to burn 20 gallons of gas

 

[nowski]

My first boat was a 16' Tahiti with Chevy 4 power, ski all day on $10. bucks. The best of times...

 

[guest hs]

Probably wasn’t a good idea to put two carbs on my cruiser last week!

 

[nowski]

I wouldn't make a vehicle decision based on a sudden spike or drop in oil. It will change.

Please, don't tell us if you have an EV or Hybrid in your driveway...

 

[boatdoc55]

I have this 06 Dana 20.5 with a 350 magnum, sips gas and will hit over 60 with a light load. I use it at Canyon Lake in Az most of the time. If I run it all day it’s hard to burn 20 gallons of gas

Good looking boat

 

[spectra3279]

Problem is, with the dems in charge, I don't see the price of gas coming down. Maybe a few pennies, but I believe it's here to stay. Electric vehicles mother fucker

 

[RiverDave]

Could something like a 2022 version of the old Tahiti's be a potential seller in these times? Granted, they'd need the right water conditions. Unfortunately, these extreme fuel prices are not likely going away soon. Our first boat was a used 18' Tahiti, made by Schuster Boats in Bellflower CA. Had a 120 hp, 4 cyl 2.5L GM Mercruiser, alpha 1 I/O, 12 gal fuel tank in the bow. Some of us know how capable those boats were. We could ski, tube and cruise on those 12 gals. We did extended stays on Mohave and Mead (on the right days at the right places).

Trying to imagine what an entry level family boat would be at today's crazy fuel prices? There are none. Might something like that work? Fossil fuels aren't going away for a while.

Luxe is building them.. they are building an 19 with a jet for under 60k.

 

[RiverDave]

LUXE Custom Crafts --> #001 Model19 is INC!

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[jb600]

A few years ago memorial weekend between my buddy and I we had five boats that broke the weekend before, mine had a voltage regulator fire, and the other Merc dorked me on shipping a driveshaft for my sporty, anyhoo we ended up in my 12 foot mirro craft 15 merc full of beer and a couple of bad attitudes and took off the other way up the river into tin boat land and found a party of 50-60 other tin boaters.

Was the most fun either of us had on the water in a long time, even in a crappy boat. For sure drank more beer than the gas we used.

I'd hate to be this guy

Tin boat fest? I’m in! lol

 

[hallett21]

Luxe is building them.. they are building an 19 with a jet for under 60k.

Photos?

 

[2Driver]

Please, don't tell us if you have an EV or Hybrid in your driveway...

Haha, no and that’s the point, gas spikes and people change out cars trying to save a buck on fuel then gas settles back down. My truck gets 16 mpg, screw it, I’ll deal with it.

 

[curtiej10]

Photos?

We are expecting to have one done late July

 

[Flying_Lavey]

We are expecting to have one done late July

View attachment 1110013 View attachment 1110012

Im anxiously awaiting an outboard version. Throw some cocktail seating in there and move that rear bench way back and you got a roomy and capable boat.

 

[curtiej10]

Im anxiously awaiting an outboard version. Throw some cocktail seating in there and move that rear bench way back and you got a roomy and capable boat.

Yes we will be doing that too. Boat 1 & 2 are going with LS motors

 

[coolchange]

Back in the day, early gas crunch, Jimmy at syndicate built a 18 foot ,semi V ,small block 350 V Drive. It was like a Bahner bubble deck. I loved it. Built on spec. Took a while to sell. But could go a weekend on a tank and never see 3000 rpm.
My brother built a 17 Finish line v drive mini. First version had a euro v6 turbo fi. Didn’t work, no torque, but man it sounded bitchen. Think Rally car. Next it got a 377. Fuuuuck that, quick way to die in that hull. Next, screw it put a 305 out of a van in it and ran the shit out of it. Sipped fuel, always ran zero maintenance.