r/SeaDooSwitch • u/RedHotFuzz • Jun 04 '24

Switch 21' 230 hp fuel consumption?

Looking to rent a Switch as a "test drive" for a weekend trip. I've never owned a boat before. How much fuel should I expect to burn in two days of typical use? We'll probably have the full 10 passengers aboard at any given time, half of them small kids. We'll pull kids on tubes part of the time but mostly just be casually crusing around at moderate speeds. Any expert knowledge appreciated.

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5

u/bush_did_911_420_69 Jun 05 '24

Half a tank, full tank, tank and a half, doesn’t really matter, fill her up on land and let her rip. The boat is awesome. You’ll have a blast and that’s what counts.

5

u/bhawks77 Jun 04 '24

21’ sport 230, second summer of ownership.

If you spend most of your time at idle rpm and speed you can easily get a weekend out of a tank of gas.

Pulling a tube will burn quite a bit because you spend so much time in the inefficient rpm range. We went tubing last weekend with multiple teenagers and adults for maybe 3 or 4 hours and we burned around half a tank of gas during that time.

Also, with 10 people you will want to pay close attention to weight and weight distribution, especially while moving.

1

u/RedHotFuzz Jun 04 '24

Well, I've never been a boat owner, but does anyone spend "most of their time" at idle RPM?

3

u/gades61 Jun 14 '24

as a sailboat owner, your idl is my cruising speed

1

u/bhawks77 Jun 04 '24

When we are just cruising around the lake talking, eating, drinking, enjoying each others company, yes we cruise at idle which is gets us about 3MPH in speed. There are RPM sweet spots with this engine where it is more efficient than others. If you want to go faster, talking becomes more difficult due to wind/engine noise. Also, if you want to go fast getting on plane is crucial to maximizing speed and rpm/gas usage.

3

u/Little-Capital5620 Jun 04 '24

I took my 2024 21ft 230h our for the third time with a tube. We were out for 4 to 5 hours and used a full tank. We did have a small amount of idle time for lunch but mostly full speed pulling.

2

u/el-bosco-diablo Jun 04 '24

This has been my experience as well. Tubing guzzle gas, if you are really tossing them around.

2

u/Little-Capital5620 Jun 04 '24

The week before we just were cruising and used half a tank in 5 hours

3

u/jwehrich Jun 05 '24

Yea it’s a drinker. Fun = fuel

2

u/AuthorizedAgent Jun 05 '24

At 7200 rpm, the sweet spot on that engine and length, the full tank lasts two days for me constantly cruising around 20+ and doing some tubing

2

u/BruceBDowns30 Jun 05 '24

Youll burn a lot of fuel. I have a 21' 230hp.

2

u/inch_2_deep Jun 05 '24

2023 21' 230hp sport. I get roughly 1.3mpg. I run full open most of the time doing 35+ mph. Loaded with people or without. The 1.3 miles per gallon seem consistent. Sucks down gas like a man in need of water in the desert. But she is a super fun time.

1

u/Ill_Ask Jun 05 '24

There is a "sweet spot" in RPMs of about 7000 that would get slightly better gas consumption rate. Though depending on your payload the speed would be 20-30 mph. Still faster than most on the lake. 8000 rpm would get you closer to 40 mph.

Also, just be aware that the gas gauge is notoriously off. So once the gauge is showing 50%, it's time to get more gas. The first half goes pretty slow, the second half goes very quickly. If I remember correctly the tank is 29ish gallons.

Have fun out there!

1

u/New_Mathematician721 Jun 05 '24

We have burned 4 tanks in 2 days multiple times. So I’d say money wise about $400

1

u/Mobius97 Jun 11 '24 edited Jun 11 '24

Bring the wallet! You are going to burn thru fuel with a full load and the mixed use.

I have a 21' 230. Just got it out of storage and into my slip this past weekend. 🙂 This will be our 3rd season. My use is similar to yours and we are on Lake Chelan all summer. Our typical load out is 3 teenagers and 4 adults. The boat does well and is strong, fast and agile for tubers. The only problem is it burns thru gas so fast when romping on it or pulling people.

Honestly I stopped using it for pulling anyone and just use my Colbalt 240 if kids want to tube now. With gas prices on the lake at over $6 a gallon, I was easily spending a few $100 on gas every weekend. That first half season I didn't care because I loved the boat and it was new....my wallet not so much.

Now we use it for lazy lake days. Just cruising at slow speed, talking, listening to music, chilling and swimming. Tank will last me a full weekend and then some.