www.iFourWinns.com

Dumb question for the experts...At times, while at rest my fuel gauge reads virtually empty. When on plane, however it will show 1/4 maybe a bit higher.

My question is, when should the gauge be accurate...while anchored/no wake (engine running obviously) or while running on smooth water on plane?

I am going out a couple more times this year, and don't really want to put in more gas than needed.

Thanks!

Never. Gas gauges on boats are always fluctuating, no matter what boat you have. Seruiusly, you would actually be better off measuring
your fuel level with a stick. Use the gauge as a guide only, they are not very accurate. In theory, the gauge should be more accurate at rest, but that really depends on where the fuel pick up is in your tank. If its low and dead center, at rest is best, if it's high and aft mounted in the tank, then on plane it will appear to have more fuel.

Sincerely, NON Expert Cap'n

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

I use the lowest reading as my guide.

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-Rob.


Current boat: 2011 Yamaha AR210
Previous boat: 1998 Horizon RX 4.3GL SX

+1 to Cap'n. I've never fully relied on boat gas guages, especially when they get down to 1/4 tank or below. Personally, I was keep track of fuel usage through my hour meter. I keep track of hours and fuel consumed to get my average GPH. That's not 100% reliable either, but it's close enough for me to trust over just watching the fuel guage. I have a spreadsheet on my phone where I just enter in hours after each use and gallons when I fill her up, so I keep pretty good track of fuel usage. I know, my wife thinks I'm OCD as well.

Also, I never run my gas tank down that low, and store it full for the winter. That's a whole other thread being debated right now.

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2005 FW Horizon 250
8.1L VP DP

Same here, store it full and always go to the lake with a full tank. Rarely does my tank go below half full. I ran out of gas one time and it will never happen again!

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2008 FW F204 - 5.0 VP "Stand On It"
Former Boat: Larson 186 LXI - 4.3 VP