"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?

7. Spend more time making political posts on rec.boats and less time
actually out boating...you know, like basskisser.
8. Balance the weight so trim tabs don't need to be used as much...which
creates excess drag
9. Use proper trim on outboards and outdrives.

actually, it's pretty simple, go slower

"Florida Keyz" wrote in message
...
actually, it's pretty simple, go slower

Slower than what? Planing hulls going slower than planing speed are much
less efficient.

Slower than what? Planing hulls going slower than planing speed are much
less efficient.

Actually, i am not so sure about that, I have a 44 marine trader with twin 270
hp lemans, I cruise at 9 mph (knots are for sailors with lots of time on their
hands) and average 1mpg., as do most of the reports I see from the great loop.
Whats better??

"Florida Keyz" wrote in message
...
Slower than what? Planing hulls going slower than planing speed are much
less efficient.

Actually, i am not so sure about that, I have a 44 marine trader with twin
270
hp lemans, I cruise at 9 mph (knots are for sailors with lots of time on
their
hands) and average 1mpg., as do most of the reports I see from the great
loop.
Whats better??

In my quick and dirty testing of my new flow meter this weekend - about 50
miles total in a variety of lake and river conditions - the sweet spot that
maximizes miles per gallon definitely is at planing speed. I'm not sure
exactly where yet, but it didn't even appear to be at slowest planing speed,
but more testing is needed!

The bad news is that I'm not going to get more than 2 mpg and often a little
less, it seems.

Cam

Slower than what? Planing hulls going slower than planing speed are much
less efficient.

Actually, i am not so sure about that, I have a 44 marine trader with twin
270
hp lemans, I cruise at 9 mph (knots are for sailors with lots of time on
their

Your 44 Marine Trader is not a planing hull.

It's a semi-displacement trawler.

At what rpm do you make 8 kt? (about 9 mph)

Experiment with slowing down to 7 kt, and you might realize a 25-30 percent
increase in fuel economy. I have experienced that kind of results in the past,
in a smaller hull with similar characteristics.

Caveat: Running a diesel engine too slowly for an extended period of time is
not generally recommended. As you know, they thrive on exercise.

"Florida Keyz" wrote in message
...
Slower than what? Planing hulls going slower than planing speed are much
less efficient.

Actually, i am not so sure about that, I have a 44 marine trader

A Marine Trader is not a "planing hull".

actually, it's pretty simple, go slower


NOYB wrote:
Slower than what? Planing hulls going slower than planing speed are much
less efficient.

Nope. This is a common motorboater's misconception.

If you doubt it, look at the fuel test results commonly printed in
magazines. You will see immediately that faster=greater fuel consumption
per distance, except for boats that are very far up the power/weight
curve (ie muscle boats) and they get such poor fuel economy it doesn't
matter.

Fair Skies
Doug King

Make sure if running twins that they are in sync.

Find your boats sweet spot. On most planeing hulls idle speed is probably most
efficient but if I wanted to go that slow I would have purchased a sailboat.

On my boat for example the "sweet spot" is 3100 RPM with the drives trimmed
slightly up. This gets me, depending on conditions anywhere from 28 to 30 MPH
and a fuel burn of just under 11 GPH. Of course wind, load and currents can
affect this but these are my averages over 5 seasons of usage.

BTW, gasoline at my marina is $2.339 for 89 octane, on the street anywhere from
$1.999 to $2.299 for 87 octane. Not to shabby. Other marinas are charging from
$2.45 to $2.75 per gallon. My marina and the other marina in my harbor have
always been lower than the norm for some reason. Maybe that is why both are
full.

I get 9 mph at 14oo rpm.