Figuring fuel consumption

[themaniam1]

Re: Figuring fuel consumption

Please give us some more data on this boat. I am not trying to be a problem here, but most 6000 lb cruisers struggle to get 2.5 at 25 MPH empty, so I am very curious about this. Range is an extremely important topic and I want to make sure we all have good data to work from. Thanks

I also was under the same thoughts so I wanted to know my mpg. We have a 2000 Rinker 242 with a Merc 350 mag, Bravo III, stainless 22 pitch props and high altitude gearing. We topped it off at 76 gallons and a 30 gals of water and and went to the lake.

We did very little low speed motoring, no playing with water toys, and we were at plane 90% of the the time because it was just my wife and I cruising. We had the GPS and we went 51 miles that day, it is a big lake. We used 10 gallons of gas, so the math was simple, 51/10 = 5 mpg.

I just grabbed the GPS and looked at the track log and wehad an average moving speed of 22 which is far less then the 35 which I thought we had done. I do remember traveling a long way at 35 but I for got about the narrows we went though which are 7 miles long so that would be at least 14 miles in the low twenties there. So 22mph moving ave would make a huge difference vs 35, I am sorry for miss leading in that.

I do think the poster would be fine not going taking any extra fuel because he can refuel at the island and it is only 26 miles away.

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: Figuring fuel consumption

What does this mean?

He thinks you're in over your head.

 

[df909]

Re: Figuring fuel consumption

After reading all the posts, it seems as I should make it just fine. I will take a GPS to a lake next time I take the boat, log how long I drive & the speed, and do a little cursory figuring.

Are fuel flow meters very expensive & are they easy/difficult to install? That might be something that would be handy and probably more reliable to determine how much fuel I have in the tank than the fuel gauge and to tell if there's a problem with the motor (increased fuel consumption).

Thanks for the info guys.

 

[df909]

Re: Figuring fuel consumption

Really? Your approach to good seamanship is dubious at best, and foolhardy at worst. Running out of fuel is the least of your problems. You should have greater respect for the Catalina Channel and know your own limitations.

That's what I fugured. It's funny how people can come to various conclusions based on one statement or question, without knowing anything else. I really like this board because it's a place to learn, rather than getting in over your head and risking your boat and yourself. I worry more about the people that just up and do something without planning and research and I respect those of us that do our homework beforehand.

 

[QC]

Re: Figuring fuel consumption

We used 10 gallons of gas, so the math was simple, 51/10 = 5 mpg.

Even at 22 MPH . . . no way. I post these only in the interest of clarity and quality data. There isn't any boat with a V8 I/O that averages 5 and the only time they do approach that kind of number is at displacement speeds (below 5 MPH). So somewhere, something, is wrong.

Again, in now way do I intend to pick on anybody or throw out a challenge just to be right or beat somebody up. However, if we have a guy who is planning a trip across the Catalina Channel, and is asking about range. Without anything else to go by we are contributing to a potential disaster if we suggest anything over 3 MPG even with a 20 footer. Yes, EFI 20 footers do much better, but without data we are guessing at best and he is trying to calculate a trip offshore . . .

df,

Pez is being less than nice, but he is throwing out a very important warning. The Catalina Channel can get big and nasty fast. 20 footers are great getting there in the morning and not so much getting back in the afternoon. I am encouraged that you are traveling with others. You need to take this very seriously though despite the fact that many go over in smaller and never have a problem. It is the one bad day we are concerned about, not the 100s of good ones . . .

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Figuring fuel consumption

You can work out a million ways to calculate and you will only get a ball park estimate no matter what.
Fill it up.
Go for an hours cruise at whatever RPM you like to cruise at and note the speed.
Fill it up.
See how much it takes.
Do the math for your trip.
The one third out, one third back and one third reserve has so far worked for me.

 

[df909]

Re: Figuring fuel consumption

That's what I'm going to do at the lake next time I go with the GPS. I'd like to have a general idea what I burn.

I'll be going with a group of others and we're going to travel together- all within site and for sure within radio range. Between all the extra parts and fuel we'd probably be able to build a new boat.

I'll leave in the a.m. and stay a night or two then come home in the a.m. I'd never want to get stuck out there in the afternoon winds- rough water is fun in a kayak, but not so much in my boat.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Figuring fuel consumption

QC I didn't do his math but I think he's saying that at 22 avg instead of 35 he was looking at under 2/3 the mpg he thought.... 2.2, 2.3 ?

 

[45Auto]

Re: Figuring fuel consumption

Doesn't matter what his speed was. He's claiming 51 miles on 10 gallons of gas. Something is screwy somewhere, my guess is that he didn't fill it all the way back up. Claiming 5 MPG on a 5.7L gas-engined 25 foot boat at planing speeds is like claiming my 5.7L Suburban gets 30 MPG while towing my 10,000 pound boat. No way either one is going to happen!

 

[BTMCB]

Re: Figuring fuel consumption

Not really able to add to what others have said / suggested. But, don't forget to let us all know how the trip went and what the fuel consumption was. I am considering doing a quick trip from Long Beach to Avalon too at some point soon - weather and conditions permitting - in my 4.3L 190HP, Alpha 1 driven Maxum. Also, thinking about from Ventura out to the Channel Islands. FWIW, I have been tracking / logging my fuel usage since I bought the boat new and I use, on average, about 4-5 GPH. Obviously my consumption goes up when doing water sports with my adult sons aboard and goes down when it is just the admiral and me cruising around. Good luck and stay safe!

 

[Bearfan]

Re: Figuring fuel consumption

Next on the market, the fuel efficient boat that will still do 25mph.

 

[MRS]

Re: Figuring fuel consumption

df, don't take any replys personal there are a few rough reply people that usally give good replys 95% of the time and not so good 5% of the time. Any how I have been across both channels many times and have to tell you the channel island crossing can be way worst than the catalina channel. Just make sure you check weather report before leaving and be prepared for the worst always, have fun and post photos of your trips.

 

[Pez Vela]

Re: Figuring fuel consumption

I worry more about the people that just up and do something without planning and research and I respect those of us that do our homework beforehand.

EXACTLY! That's why I am dismayed by your reluctance to spend a little time and gas money to get to know your rig's capabilities before you venture offshore. Doing your "homework" involves more than a little internet research. While you will gain valuable information here, as already shown by the other posts, there is no substitute for time on the water. After only one month with your new rig, running around on a lake, you are planning a channel crossing where things don't always go as planned.

Perhaps you have greater "sea time" than it seems, in which case I apologize. Just be careful and watch out while crossing the shipping lanes in the fog. These guys will never know that they hit you.

 

[tkrfxr]

Re: Figuring fuel consumption

What does this mean?

I think the sail fish mistook your post as saying you might take on the Catalina Channel for a couple of hours, burn some gas, and try to figure out your fuel consumption....

I think you are doing the right thing by asking around and planning your trip based on the experience and advice you get here...

I plan to add fuel sensors from Lowrance, as they would connect to my GPS-Fishfinder...The most common fuel sensor is the FLOSCAN system, and it can cost a few hundred $$.

Good luck, and happy new year...

 

[tboltmike]

Re: Figuring fuel consumption

You can get a fuel mgmt meter like the Lowrance LMF200 or 400. Ties in with gps to give mpg, range, flow rate, gals used and other neat stuff.

 

[alumi numb]

Re: Figuring fuel consumption

Next on the market, the fuel efficient boat that will still do 25mph.

the boat you speak of has been made for many years, starcraft.
will add however how about small craft diesel?

 

[45Auto]

Re: Figuring fuel consumption

the boat you speak of has been made for many years, starcraft.

I guess that makes about everything else super efficient, huh?

Look at any of the boat performance tests of equal size boats with equivalent power (Mercury outboard tests, Yamaha performance bulletins, etc) and you'll find that the Starcrafts are almost invariably the slowest and least fuel efficient.

 

[themaniam1]

Re: Figuring fuel consumption

I am so glad I have given all you moderators and high posters something to hammer on. I may have made a mistake and from all the fury it has stirred I probably have. I cannot go out and do some fuel consumptions tests until spring because everything here is frozen over, which I plan to do.

You can get a fuel mgmt meter like the Lowrance LMF200 or 400. Ties in with gps to give mpg, range, flow rate, gals used and other neat stuff.

This is what I plan to do. I was thinking of getting the Garmin fuel meter.

 

[QC]

Re: Figuring fuel consumption

I am so glad I have given all you moderators and high posters something to hammer on.

There is no way I would hammer just to hammer. Please trust that we only clarify these things in the interest of quality information. People are making decisions based on the info found here. 45Auto and I share a passion for data. We both scour every performance test we can get our hands on and both are in related businesses, as in making things go from some kind of fuel source . . . Sorry if it sounds harsh, very hard to diplomatically say "uh, well, maybe no"

Like 45 noted, take a look at the test results at Boatest.com (Warning!! Warning!!! I have found bad data there too). Note that these are all new boats and the test results are always better than what the real world sees when loaded up. Always 2 - 3 MPH faster which means they would get better fuel efficiency that day too. 5 MPG is a big deal, 4 MPG is a tough barrier as well. It's mostly the realm of sub 18 footers with less than 200 horsepower. The power rating is one of the least important factors though, weight is the biggee

Please stick around. We'd love to see the spring data from you. And we really are a nicer bunch than it may seem

Kevin

 

[alumi numb]

Re: Figuring fuel consumption

I guess that makes about everything else super efficient, huh?

Look at any of the boat performance tests of equal size boats with equivalent power (Mercury outboard tests, Yamaha performance bulletins, etc) and you'll find that the Starcrafts are almost invariably the slowest and least fuel efficient.

guess i will have to find out for myself auto.
just a polite way of saying "i don't give a rat a** what you say"!