Talking about fuel savings in the same sentence as pleasure boating
is a bit like the dieter that orders a cheese-burger, fries, apple-pie
and DIET coke, but...

I see someone mentioned trim.for "optimum speed/rpm combo". Maybe
this also falls under the same heading, but shouldn't a boat be trimmed
or gear moved so that is sets evenly? In other words so it isn't listing
to one side or the other.

I think a fuel-flow meter might help. Of course, installing one
might be more of a hassel or expense than it's worth. But having that
direct & immediate feedback has to help one to find the "sweet spots"
and to also keep their mind on that task.

This might be too obvious for your column, and isn't really "fuel" saving
but money saving, but if it's a trailerer boat, filling up at a gas station
and not a marina will save money.

What about ideling? At what point does shuttnig off the engine & restarting
it use more fuel than ideling? Of course, it's different for different
engines.

And before someone else posts it.....Buy a sail boat.





"Gould 0738" wrote in message
...
I'm writing a "filler" with some fuel saving tips.

With a boat as economical as mine, I don't dare save too much fuel or it
will
begin increasing in volume and pouring through the vents. :-)
As a result, I haven't made a real thorough first hand study of fuel
saving
techniques.

So , I'm shamelessly trolling for ideas to add to the few I have already
thought to include.

So far I've got:

1. Make sure bottom is clean
2. Make sure boat is correctly propped
3. Make sure engine has been tuned up and serviced
4. Take excess gear off of boat to reduce weight
5. Reduce cruising speed, (without falling from plane if a planing hull).
6. Plan cruise consistent with tidal currents when applicable and possible

Any other good'ns?