The thread about jerry cans got me thinking. I'm contemplating a delivery
style voyage from Portland to Halifax, NS so I can participate in a series
of meetings without the expense of staying in a hotel. Light winds could
result in a lot of motoring so I decided to work up this graph based on
observed speeds last season and the engine data:

http://home.maine.rr.com/rlma/Fuel.gif

This should be typical of many cruising sailboats around 32 feet, 20 HP, 20
gallons of fuel but I wouldn't want to draw less than 17 for fear of sucking
air and to have some reserve.

The graph shows the economic benifit of slowing down but also the exposure
to weather changes. It's about 230 miles from Portland to the first place
in NS that I could refuel. In the absence of wind, I would have to run at
1900 and it would take me 1 3/4 days.

My boat is smoother and pleasanter above 2000 RPM than below due to
structure that resonates at lower speeds so I would probably carry a jerry
can or two lashed to the lifelines for this trip unless I had forcasts of
fair winds.

I can go a long ways at 4 knots if I have the patience

Wind and waves will change these numbers a lot but, in that case, I would be
sailing.

--
Roger Long