Thank you for the info! I am adjusting to it and taking extra fuel when I feel I could need it.
Range is not only a function of your fuel load but many other considerations as well. Fuel burn will be affected by weight, drag from the hull and engine, drag from the bimini being deployed, drag from any skiers or tubers, engine mounting height and trim, prop selection, wind, tides or current, maintenance of the outboard and overall operation of the boat.
If you want to max out your 32g tank there are some things you can do such as:
1) Keeping weight down on the boat. You'll go a little farther with 4 people instead of 12 people and coolers loaded with ice and beverages. Also make sure any water in the bilge/storage locker (if any) is pumped out. Obviously you can't always control this but your range will vary significantly depending on your load. Every pound matters.
2) Be willing to sacrifice speed for distance. As noted your fuel efficiency at WOT will be MUCH, MUCH lower than just after the boat starts planing. Yes it'll take twice as long to get to point B, but you'll also be able to comfortably get back to point A without sweating bullets or refilling with your jerry can. Range anxiety is a real thing!
3) Optimize trim while cruising. If you have gauges that shows efficiency (MPG) or fuel burn (GPH), adjust trim while at your desired speed to squeeze out those last % of performance.
4) Run with the bimini stowed, then deploy when at your destination. These act as giant sails and can sap quite a bit of efficiency.
5) Keep your toons clean. Growth adds a surprising amount of drag - my last trip out I gained 15mph after cleaning. Yes they were quite fouled and had been neglected for the past 8 months but even only a few months of crud can cause your engine to drink more fuel.
6) Keep up with regular maintenance per your outboard manufacturer's recommendations. Nothing earth shattering here but in your case where fuel docks are in short supply, it could mean the difference between getting home and calling Boat US for a tow.
7) Consider raising engine mounting height. I raised mine two holes and picked up between 5-8% better fuel efficiency across the RPM band. There are potential tradeoffs of doing so, so this may not be for everyone.
8) Propping for efficiency. Some props are made for top end speed, some are made for hole shot, and then there are those that get the best efficiency at your desired RPM or speed. Again there are tradeoffs with each prop, so while you may gain in one performance category you could lose in another. It also will cost you a little bit of $$ trying different props but if you plan on keeping the boat a while and don't have the ability to enlarge the tank, the investment might be worthwhile.
9) Adding panels under the deck if not installed already. Water hitting those crossmembers creates a huge amount of drag and the wave shielding results in not only gains in fuel efficiency but speed as well.
This isn't an exhaustive list but it should illustrate that there are things you can do with your existing setup that can provide more range. All else fails, convince the wife that you need a boat upgrade!
