Fuel Use: sailboat vs. powerboat
 

Hello All,

Now I know that normally a sailboat would use a lot less than a
powerboat, and maybe that's not the right heading to use, but I am
currently looking at the possibility of buying one or the other type
of boat (used), and I am trying to get some info on boating long-term
on the Atlantic.

Although a powerboat would use oodles of fuel at a fast clip, any idea
of how much that would drop if traveling at the rate of a sailboat
(say 7 or 8 knots)?

The main reason that I am looking at the various options, is because I
have a spinal disease that prevents me from pulling, lifting, tugging,
etc. on anything more than about 10 pounds. I can get around on a
boat okay, but these other limitations require me to check out all
options. My thought (and I have never done much serious boating) is
that a powerboat would be easier on me physically, but I am concerned
about the comsumption of fuel while traveling. Fortunately I am tied
down to time, so if I have to travel at a much slower speed than the
boat is designed for, I can easily do so.

I appreciate any useful feedback,
Stryder

On Thursday 02 September 2004 10:51 pm in rec.boats.cruising Brad wrote:

Hello All,

Now I know that normally a sailboat would use a lot less than a
powerboat, and maybe that's not the right heading to use, but I am
currently looking at the possibility of buying one or the other type
of boat (used), and I am trying to get some info on boating long-term
on the Atlantic.

Although a powerboat would use oodles of fuel at a fast clip, any idea
of how much that would drop if traveling at the rate of a sailboat
(say 7 or 8 knots)?

The main reason that I am looking at the various options, is because I
have a spinal disease that prevents me from pulling, lifting, tugging,
etc. on anything more than about 10 pounds. I can get around on a
boat okay, but these other limitations require me to check out all
options. My thought (and I have never done much serious boating) is
that a powerboat would be easier on me physically, but I am concerned
about the comsumption of fuel while traveling. Fortunately I am tied
down to time, so if I have to travel at a much slower speed than the
boat is designed for, I can easily do so.

I appreciate any useful feedback,
Stryder

A whole fleet of trawler yachts recently crossed the atlantic
in the Nordhavn Atlantic Rally.
Displacement trawlers are fairly economic.

--
My real address is crn (at) netunix (dot) com
WARNING all messages containing attachments or html will be silently
deleted. Send only plain text.

Subject: Fuel Use: sailboat vs. powerboat
From: (Brad)

Although a powerboat would use oodles of fuel at a fast clip, any idea
of how much that would drop if traveling at the rate of a sailboat
(say 7 or 8 knots)?


Ballpark, around 2-3 gal/hr of diesel.

Capt. Bill

On 2 Sep 2004 14:51:37 -0700, (Brad) wrote:

Hello All,

Now I know that normally a sailboat would use a lot less than a
powerboat, and maybe that's not the right heading to use, but I am
currently looking at the possibility of buying one or the other type
of boat (used), and I am trying to get some info on boating long-term
on the Atlantic.

Although a powerboat would use oodles of fuel at a fast clip, any idea
of how much that would drop if traveling at the rate of a sailboat
(say 7 or 8 knots)?


7 or 8 knots would be a fairly large sailboat - 35 - 40 ft, I think.

My Yamaha 30' sailboat did about 5.5 knots, at about 1.5 litres/hour.
I now have a 28 ft Trawler, and find a comfortable cruising speed for
it is 6.5 knots, and about 5.4 litres/hour. (Both boats were diesels)

Between these boats I had a 26 ft planing boat, with twin gas
sterndrives - it did 15 knots at 55 litres/hr (but I found just before
I sold it that the props had too much pitch - reducing the pitch
increased the speed, but I don't recall the fuel consumption. I did
occasionally run that boat around 7 - 8 knots, and I think I was still
over 12 litres/hr.

If you intend to run at displacement speeds, you should get a
displacement hull - planing hulls don't handle well at low speeds.


--
Peter Bennett, VE7CEI
peterbb4 (at) interchange.ubc.ca
new newsgroup users info : http://vancouver-webpages.com/nnq
GPS and NMEA info: http://vancouver-webpages.com/peter
Vancouver Power Squadron: http://vancouver.powersquadron.ca

On 2 Sep 2004 14:51:37 -0700, (Brad) wrote:

Hello All,

Now I know that normally a sailboat would use a lot less than a
powerboat, and maybe that's not the right heading to use, but I am
currently looking at the possibility of buying one or the other type
of boat (used), and I am trying to get some info on boating long-term
on the Atlantic.

Although a powerboat would use oodles of fuel at a fast clip, any idea
of how much that would drop if traveling at the rate of a sailboat
(say 7 or 8 knots)?

The main reason that I am looking at the various options, is because I
have a spinal disease that prevents me from pulling, lifting, tugging,
etc. on anything more than about 10 pounds. I can get around on a
boat okay, but these other limitations require me to check out all
options. My thought (and I have never done much serious boating) is
that a powerboat would be easier on me physically, but I am concerned
about the comsumption of fuel while traveling. Fortunately I am tied
down to time, so if I have to travel at a much slower speed than the
boat is designed for, I can easily do so.

Sounds like you want a trawler. Then you can travel slow and economical
in a boat that's designed to be slow and economical and not have to
worry about physical limitations. Of course, you can always rig out a
sailboat with power everything (winches, main and jib furling, etc.) but
that can be way expensive.

If you look at overall economy, trawlers can be nearly as economical as
a sailboat (some have argued they are at least as economical as one and
maybe more) when you account for the fact that you only have to maintain
and buy fuel for an engine system vs. maintaining and fueling an engine
in a sailboat (albeit much less fuel) as well as maintaining the wind
power part of a sailboat (rigging and sails.)

It's an argument that always goes on between the trawler set and the
sailboat set. IMHO, with fuel prices the way they are now, a sailboat
is much more economical overall than a trawler. But a few years ago,
for extended cruising they were probably more equal. However, a trawler
is more economical than a large planing cruiser even when you run it
slow.

One other thing to look at is the fact that due to the shape,you can
have a smaller trawler and still have the same living space as a larger
sailboat. I.e., a 30 ft trawler may be as "livable" as a 40 ft
sailboat.

Steve

It all depends. In a boat with a relatively long waterline length, say 34ft
and a relatively narrow beam say 10 ft. traveling at hull speed (say 7kts)
could be economical (say 3 nmpg) on a gas powered boat with 20% less fuel
consumption on a diesel.
However a beamy boat with a short waterline length (say 23ft) would only be
economical at or below hull speed and this would limit you to say 5kts.

Of course if you have a planing hull you have two economy peaks the first at
or below hull speed the second on a clean plane (say 22kts) However the
second peak is not a efficient as the first, and may not even be possible in
a chop or a seaway.

There are many many variables and "all boats are compromises". Some of the
variables are type of engine, size of engine, number of engines, hull
design, water line length, beam acronymic drag.

There is one constant people and manufacturers always seem to underestimate
their boat's fuel consumption, often by a large multiple.


"Brad" wrote in message
om...
Hello All,

Now I know that normally a sailboat would use a lot less than a
powerboat, and maybe that's not the right heading to use, but I am
currently looking at the possibility of buying one or the other type
of boat (used), and I am trying to get some info on boating long-term
on the Atlantic.

Although a powerboat would use oodles of fuel at a fast clip, any idea
of how much that would drop if traveling at the rate of a sailboat
(say 7 or 8 knots)?

The main reason that I am looking at the various options, is because I
have a spinal disease that prevents me from pulling, lifting, tugging,
etc. on anything more than about 10 pounds. I can get around on a
boat okay, but these other limitations require me to check out all
options. My thought (and I have never done much serious boating) is
that a powerboat would be easier on me physically, but I am concerned
about the comsumption of fuel while traveling. Fortunately I am tied
down to time, so if I have to travel at a much slower speed than the
boat is designed for, I can easily do so.

I appreciate any useful feedback,
Stryder

Brad wrote:
Now I know that normally a sailboat would use a lot less than a
powerboat, and maybe that's not the right heading to use, but I am
currently looking at the possibility of buying one or the other type
of boat (used), and I am trying to get some info on boating long-term
on the Atlantic.

Although a powerboat would use oodles of fuel at a fast clip, any idea
of how much that would drop if traveling at the rate of a sailboat
(say 7 or 8 knots)?

Depends on the boat. A powerboat designed to go fast (twin engines,
planing hull, wide transom, etc etc) is going to use less fuel when
going slowly than when going fast, but it is never going to achieve
sailboat type fuel consumption even if you slow it to a crawl. Plus it's
going to leave more wake, be hard to steer, etc etc.

However there are many power boats that are not designed to go fast, and
usually they use only slightly (if any) more fuel than a sailboat would
over the same distance.


.... My thought (and I have never done much serious boating) is
that a powerboat would be easier on me physically, but I am concerned
about the comsumption of fuel while traveling.

Yes, the powerboat is much easier to operate physically, and also much
easier to get around on. Typically on sailboats the gear used for
sailing, and the deck layout, controls how one can move around the deck.
Also, on sailboats, you go through a hatch and down a steep narrow
stairway into the cabin and on many boats this is somewhat awkward.

This is the boat my wife and I cruise on.

http://community.webshots.com/album/63279185YQtgSA

It is roomier and more comfortable than some apartments I've lived in,
and the scenery is *much* better. We typically cruise at 7 (burn ~ 7
gallong per hour) to 8 knots ( ~2.25 gph).

BTW I agree with most of Steven S's post, except that I never argue with
sailors and that fuel is not a major cost of owning such a boat. If we
cruised full time, we'd *still* spend more on slips & insurance, much
less the boat itself. The fuel expense is not *nothing* but it's way
down the list of "what's the biggest bite." For example we went from New
Bern NC to Charleston SC, and back, earlier this year and spent $135 on
fuel.

Hope this helps.
Doug King

ten pounds? it is hard to read the Sunday New York Times if you are unable to
lift 10#. time for a geezer home, dood.

please troll somewhere else.

From: (Brad)
Date: 9/2/2004 5:51 PM Eastern Daylight Time
Message-id:

Hello All,

Now I know that normally a sailboat would use a lot less than a
powerboat, and maybe that's not the right heading to use, but I am
currently looking at the possibility of buying one or the other type
of boat (used), and I am trying to get some info on boating long-term
on the Atlantic.

Although a powerboat would use oodles of fuel at a fast clip, any idea
of how much that would drop if traveling at the rate of a sailboat
(say 7 or 8 knots)?

The main reason that I am looking at the various options, is because I
have a spinal disease that prevents me from pulling, lifting, tugging,
etc. on anything more than about 10 pounds. I can get around on a
boat okay, but these other limitations require me to check out all
options. My thought (and I have never done much serious boating) is
that a powerboat would be easier on me physically, but I am concerned
about the comsumption of fuel while traveling. Fortunately I am tied
down to time, so if I have to travel at a much slower speed than the
boat is designed for, I can easily do so.

I appreciate any useful feedback,
Stryder

For that matter you can get a sailboat and use it as a motor boat.
Just don't hoist the sails. Virtually all sailboats of the size to go
long distances have an engine. For safety reasons this is most of the
time a diesel. My 33 ft sailboat has a 20 HP diesel inboard engine and
uses 1/2 gal of fuel and hour, going 6 knots.
(LaBomba182) wrote in message ...
Subject: Fuel Use: sailboat vs. powerboat
From: (Brad)

Although a powerboat would use oodles of fuel at a fast clip, any idea
of how much that would drop if traveling at the rate of a sailboat
(say 7 or 8 knots)?


Ballpark, around 2-3 gal/hr of diesel.

Capt. Bill

Brad wrote:
Now I know that normally a sailboat would use a lot less than a
powerboat, and maybe that's not the right heading to use, but I am
currently looking at the possibility of buying one or the other type
of boat (used), and I am trying to get some info on boating long-term
on the Atlantic.

Although a powerboat would use oodles of fuel at a fast clip, any idea
of how much that would drop if traveling at the rate of a sailboat
(say 7 or 8 knots)?


Depends on the boat. A powerboat designed to go fast (twin engines,
planing hull, wide transom, etc etc) is going to use less fuel when
going slowly than when going fast, but it is never going to achieve
sailboat type fuel consumption even if you slow it to a crawl. Plus it's
going to leave more wake, be hard to steer, etc etc.

However there are many power boats that are not designed to go fast, and
usually they use only slightly (if any) more fuel than a sailboat would
over the same distance.


.... My thought (and I have never done much serious boating) is
that a powerboat would be easier on me physically, but I am concerned
about the comsumption of fuel while traveling.


Yes, the powerboat is much easier to operate physically, and also much
easier to get around on. Typically on sailboats the gear used for
sailing, and the deck layout, controls how one can move around the deck.
Also, on sailboats, you go through a hatch and down a steep narrow
stairway into the cabin and on many boats this is somewhat awkward.

This is the boat my wife and I cruise on.

http://community.webshots.com/album/63279185YQtgSA

It is roomier and more comfortable than some apartments I've lived in,
and the scenery is *much* better. We typically cruise at 7 knots (burn ~
1.25 gallons per hour) to 8 knots ( ~2.25 gph).

BTW I agree with most of Steven S's post, except that I never argue with
sailors and that fuel is not a major cost of owning such a boat. If we
cruised full time, we'd *still* spend more on slips & insurance, much
less the boat itself. The fuel expense is not *nothing* but it's way
down the list of "what's the biggest bite." For example we went from New
Bern NC to Charleston SC, and back, earlier this year and spent $135 on
fuel.

Hope this helps.
Doug King

Not being able to lift more than 10 lbs will leave you stranded in any
sort of emergency....

You will not be able to to the following things:

- lift a jerry can
- bail water
- lift a heavy wrench
- move something that fell
- change a prop


I dont know if I would want to be in the atlantic under these
circumstances...

for fuel use you may want to look at a non planing diesel vessel to
get far. I would also stock up on any emergency communication device
known to man.

I think you are playing with your life.

Matt

(Brad) wrote in message . com...
Hello All,

Now I know that normally a sailboat would use a lot less than a
powerboat, and maybe that's not the right heading to use, but I am
currently looking at the possibility of buying one or the other type
of boat (used), and I am trying to get some info on boating long-term
on the Atlantic.

Although a powerboat would use oodles of fuel at a fast clip, any idea
of how much that would drop if traveling at the rate of a sailboat
(say 7 or 8 knots)?

The main reason that I am looking at the various options, is because I
have a spinal disease that prevents me from pulling, lifting, tugging,
etc. on anything more than about 10 pounds. I can get around on a
boat okay, but these other limitations require me to check out all
options. My thought (and I have never done much serious boating) is
that a powerboat would be easier on me physically, but I am concerned
about the comsumption of fuel while traveling. Fortunately I am tied
down to time, so if I have to travel at a much slower speed than the
boat is designed for, I can easily do so.

I appreciate any useful feedback,
Stryder

Brad wrote:

The main reason that I am looking at the various options, is because I
have a spinal disease that prevents me from pulling, lifting, tugging,
etc. on anything more than about 10 pounds. I can get around on a
boat okay, but these other limitations require me to check out all
options.

Besides the good points brought by most others to your questions, I'd
like you to consider the "heavy seas" issue.

Yesterday looked like a nice day for a sail. Only after we left the
harbor in our 23 ft sailboat, we realized that the waves were a lot
bigger that we tought, 6-8 feet and very close to each other. I got
tossed around in the cockpit enough to come back with a back-ache.

I certainly exerted more than 10 lb. of effort just by holding myself,
probably more than 10 times that.

You might want to consider sailing in a protected area, such as a lake
or a bay, without much wind fetch.

Hi,
I have looked into this myself and have found a few facts noteworthy.
First, I own a sailboat that some would class as a motorsailer because of
the size of the engine. 85Hp is a little to much to class as a auxiliary.
Top speed is 7.5 Knots at full throttle with a fuel burn of about 1.5-1.75
gals a hour. If I drop back to 6 knots my fuel burn drop to about .75 gals
a hour, and if I reduce to 5 knots I use just a little over .5 gals a hour.
These are rough figures in calm seas.
I would expect that a power boat of the same size 46'x13' and weight 30000
lbs loaded would get about the same. I have looked at the Diesel Ducks a
boat designed after the NW trolling fishing boats and the figures are about
the same. Some of the true trawlers that are designed to do hull speeds and
less have about the same figures. It seems that a full displacement vessel
could be a good choice to cruise anywhere with large tankage. One Diesel
Duck I looked at had 1700 gals of tanks with a range of 5500 miles at 5
knots. Remember that this is for a displacement hull, smallest diesel
engine, and speeds about half of hull speeds.
Mike

"Brad" wrote in message
om...
Hello All,

Now I know that normally a sailboat would use a lot less than a
powerboat, and maybe that's not the right heading to use, but I am
currently looking at the possibility of buying one or the other type
of boat (used), and I am trying to get some info on boating long-term
on the Atlantic.

Although a powerboat would use oodles of fuel at a fast clip, any idea
of how much that would drop if traveling at the rate of a sailboat
(say 7 or 8 knots)?

The main reason that I am looking at the various options, is because I
have a spinal disease that prevents me from pulling, lifting, tugging,
etc. on anything more than about 10 pounds. I can get around on a
boat okay, but these other limitations require me to check out all
options. My thought (and I have never done much serious boating) is
that a powerboat would be easier on me physically, but I am concerned
about the comsumption of fuel while traveling. Fortunately I am tied
down to time, so if I have to travel at a much slower speed than the
boat is designed for, I can easily do so.

I appreciate any useful feedback,
Stryder