MPG Towing With/Without Cover

[four winns 214]

I have a well-fitting cover for my Four Winns deckboat. I almost always tow cover-on. There is no flapping of fabric or anything of the like. This week I conducted an experiment to verify what I've experienced in the past. I towed the same route with/without cover. The total weight was virtually the same each leg.

MPG with cover: 12.9

MPG without cover: 10.8.

Boat also stays cleaner cover-on, no question.

 

[JimS123]

Good data. Nevertheless, when the question comes up again there will be some that swear you shouldn't trailer with a cover.

Just got back from vacation. On the interstate this year we counted 3 life jackets, 4 cooler covers 2 beach towels and one aft seat. (If you lost a light tan boat seat PM me and I'll give you directions.....LOL)

 

[jbcurt00]

The 3 covers I used were listed as towable covers. Cinched down well they take being towed w little flapping and have held up well..

 

[Brian 26]

Interesting info, thanks for posting. I read an article years ago in a Bass magazine that said the cover off yields better mileage.

 

[four winns 214]

One other bit of data: Tow speed was 60mph. I'll bet going faster would create a larger differential since drag is the square of speed. I'll let somebody else experiment with that one.

 

[H20Rat]

Trailering with a perfect fitting custom cover will always be more efficient. Trailering with a 'trailerable' non-custom cover could end up being worse, you are dragging a sail on top of your boat. Also, the non-custom trailerable covers tend to not last very long, if there is any part that is flapping, it will both wear out the cover as well as mark the boat.

 

[ricohman]

One other bit of data: Tow speed was 60mph. I'll bet going faster would create a larger differential since drag is the square of speed. I'll let somebody else experiment with that one.

It take 8 times as much power going from 40mph to 80mph.
The power to overcome drag is cubed.

 

[bruceb58]

It take 8 times as much power going from 40mph to 80mph.
The power to overcome drag is cubed.

The air drag is the square of the velocity so its a factor of 4.

 

[jbetzelb]

I get right at 2 MPG better with the cover on. I have a custom cover and it doesn't move or allow water in at any speed.

 

[JimS123]

Just saw an ad on CL:

" Lost a brand new 6 gallon gas tank and a deluxe Fishing landing net. Suspect it was on interstate route XXX between YYY and ZZZ. Please call ABC if you found it"

Hahahahah. I bet he uses his cover next time he trails the boat at highway speeds....

 

[64osby]

Does your mileage go up if you have the boat running.

Short trip no cover, long trips always covered.

 

[Bonus Check]

Good data. Nevertheless, when the question comes up again there will be some that swear you shouldn't trailer with a cover.

Just got back from vacation. On the interstate this year we counted 3 life jackets, 4 cooler covers 2 beach towels and one aft seat. (If you lost a light tan boat seat PM me and I'll give you directions.....LOL)

Yep I just spend last Sunday evening tracing my route looking for my Bimini Top. I take it off, fold it and put it in my cooler under the rear seat. I forgot to snap the strap on the seat and the wind blew it open.

 

[Pony]

If I had a custom or fitted cover I would absolutely tow with it on just so I wouldn't have so much gear to unload and put back into the back of my pick up at the end of the day.

The cover I keep on it while it's in the driveway is trailerable, but I have so many mounts and extra "stuff" attached to the boat I had to buy it a size bigger than is necessary. There is no way I could get it right enough to tow with it or in a manner that wasn't going to beat the crap out of the boat and the cover and my stuff.

I have a system down where I have bags and or cases for most of my gear of have it stored in the compartments in the boat.

Good #'s from the original post though. If I really could save 2/3 mpg in theory a custom fit cover might pay for itself.

 

[UncleWillie]

It take 8 times as much power going from 40mph to 80mph.
The power to overcome drag is cubed.

The air drag is the square of the velocity so its a factor of 4.

4 times the drag and twice the velocity is 8 time the POWER.
Velocity is linear. Drag is squared. Power is Cubed.

 

[bruceb58]

Yes, you are correct.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drag_(physics)

 

[four winns 214]

If I had a custom or fitted cover I would absolutely tow with it on just so I wouldn't have so much gear to unload and put back into the back of my pick up at the end of the day.

The cover I keep on it while it's in the driveway is trailerable, but I have so many mounts and extra "stuff" attached to the boat I had to buy it a size bigger than is necessary. There is no way I could get it right enough to tow with it or in a manner that wasn't going to beat the crap out of the boat and the cover and my stuff.

I have a system down where I have bags and or cases for most of my gear of have it stored in the compartments in the boat.

Good #'s from the original post though. If I really could save 2/3 mpg in theory a custom fit cover might pay for itself.

You may not see the mpg difference with your boat that I experience with mine. My boat has a large frontal area that creates substantial drag. The boat pictured in your post appears to have a much more streamlined profile.