Fuel consumption difference between 450 and 550?

[mitchelmilitiapres]

My family currently has a 13' G23 with the 450 in it. We usually run stock ballast, occasionally heavier if there are only a few in the boat. I was discussing with my father the other day about the fuel consumption that an average set takes. For those of you G owners, I was curious if the consumption was any different with the 550 compared to the 450. Just the simple difference in engine size and displacement would make me think that it 550 wouldn't have to work as hard and thus consume less fuel. I had seen many on the forum that had upgraded to the 550 and was curious if that played any sort of role in the decision to upgrade. Not that it's a big deal, just something that popped in my head.

[nyryan2001]

550 uses more fuel in every aspect.

going light and cruising it uses a little more and of course going heavy it will guzzle fuel. I would estimate approx 25% more across all my activities averaged.

now with that said, I love it, it's effortless unlimited power. We are talking a G23.

[scottb7]

others can correct me if i am wrong, but i personally have never seen when moving to a bigger engine the "you will save fuel because it does not work as hard" ever to be true. someone once told me that back some time ago when i moved from the volvo penta 4.3 v6 to the mercruiser 5.0 v8...both great engines...fuel savings - not...

friend told me yesterday that you use more fuel surfing then you do wakeboarding...i know speeds and stuff vary, but kind of wondering if that is true?

[vision]

others can correct me if i am wrong, but i personally have never seen when moving to a bigger engine the "you will save fuel because it does not work as hard" ever to be true. someone once told me that back some time ago when i moved from the volvo penta 4.3 v6 to the mercruiser 5.0 v8...both great engines...fuel savings - not...

Completely agree. Unless you take it to the extreme limits in terms of RPMs, the smallest engine capable of providing enough work to move the object will be the most efficient.

[NautiqueJeff]

Gotta agree with most of what's stated above. I moved from a 2013 G23 with a 550 to a 2014 G23 with a 450 (and the new 2:1 v-drive), and I am noticing significant fuel savings this year. I must also say, surprisingly for me, I am quite happy with the 450 in terms of power. I am running more weight in my boat this year with the smaller engine, and the performance with the 450 and the new v-drive is close to what I had with the 550 in 2013.

[chrisschweda]

I wonder how hard it would be to change the gears in the v drive of my 13