Thinking of ways to make the Beast more efficient.

[JasonJ]

So this whole gas price thing has me thinking about the Beast. As I have mentioned before, she has grown a bit fat in the arse over the last couple of seasons. Trolling motors, batteries, gas tanks, all sorts of things have helped to drop my speed from 40-ish down to low 30s. I can't help but wonder about the corresponding loss of fuel efficiency (I didn't pay much attention to usage until this season).<br /><br />I have been thinking about what I could do to trim some fat off. My first step was I myself lost 15 pounds, from 205 down to 190. It's a start. I try not to carry unneeded items on board. So it basically comes down to how the boat is built. As you all know, It was a bowrider, and it still has all that bowrider structure under the casting deck that I simply bolted on. It is unnecessary weight. I also built the center console and seat box entirely out of 1/2 inch ply, pretty darn heavy. Here is what I propose: I remove the entire upper half and ditch it. I remove the center console and seatbox. I am left with a bare empty hull, not unlike a rolled edge skiff without the rolled edge. I build a new casting deck, glassing it in, and use techniques that create strength and save weight. I rebuild the center console, but out of 1/4 inch ply, and strengthen it where needed. I could also make the center console dimensionally smaller (It was built to accomodate two behind and two in front, but I never carry four people so why have it). The seatbox would get a similar treatment. The rubrail area would get structure to maintain strength and a place for the bow mount trolling motor would be built in as well. The gas tank might get moved from the rear into the console to move weight forward.<br /><br />The goal is to shave that couple of hundred pounds it has gained, but not spend so much money as to not make the work and efficiency increase worth it. I know, "what about the aluminum boat hull dream?" Its just that, a dream. I have to look at what I have right now, and how I can better it. I know it is doable. I still have time to think about it, as I will be pulling it out of the water in a few weeks anyway. Other thoughts are certainly appreciated. Yes, I have considered the "sell it and get another" scenario, but this hull design has proven to be very tough and very comfortable, and very roomy for its length. It just seems more prudent to refine this rig than to start all over again.

 

[AguaSki]

Re: Thinking of ways to make the Beast more efficient.

I enjoyed reading about your last rebuild project and I would love to follow your work on another project. I do find myself questioning what your break even point is. How much gas do you need to save to make the cost and time of the project worth while? Only you can answer this question, but I will be an interested spectator if you decide to take ont the project.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Thinking of ways to make the Beast more efficient.

That is exactly what I am mulling over. What will I spend, and how long would any savings take to recoup that savings. In the end, I probably won't do anything, I think it would take several hundred pounds reduction to realize any real efficiency gain. I think I'll just tuck the motor in a hole, that will allow a slower planing speed, and will result in less fuel used without the cost of money and time trying to shed weight that won't be enough to truely matter. I just have to be patient and wait for that aluminum hull that is out there calling my name...

 

[crab bait]

Re: Thinking of ways to make the Beast more efficient.

i'd leave it alone.. it's done ..it's done..<br /><br />great to hear YOU lost weight.. that's always good..<br /><br />why do you seek a tin hull..??

 

[Realgun]

Re: Thinking of ways to make the Beast more efficient.

Cause he wants one. He's been looking too looonnnng!

 

[Terry Olson]

Re: Thinking of ways to make the Beast more efficient.

Until three weeks ago I was looking for a bigger boat for fishing and occasional tubing. I was thinking that a tri-hull converted to be more fishing-friendly was the way to go. I've always loved tri-hulls and you can buy them adequately powered at very reasonable cost in my area. I was even more interested in this after seeing the way you converted your boat. <br /><br />At the same time I wanted something in the 17' - 18' range and a glass boat of this size is very heavy for towing purposes. I don't live on the water so I trailer everywhere I fish - plus I don't tow with a full size truck. Another thing to consider is that an aluminum hull is lighter and as a result requires less horsepower to move at the same speeds. Smaller motor + less weight = better fuel economy. <br /><br />That got me to thinking about and ultimately buying an aluminum boat - but I still really like the idea of converting a tri-hull like you did. When completed my boat won't be unique at all - but your boat is and that's what your project has that others, including mine, are missing.<br /><br />What should you do? Like the others said, that's up to you. From an economic standpoint you'd have to run that boat at a reduced fuel cost for quite a while to recover your investment. Is it possible that you're itching for a new project??? If you're like me I know what the answer is. <br /><br />Maybe a better alternative is to sell the current boat and start a new project rather than backtracking. It's hard to say. Both will result in a "new" project, but one option may be better financially than the other. <br /><br />Either way, have fun with it.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Thinking of ways to make the Beast more efficient.

Yeah, just leaving it alone is the best bet. The main reason I want an aluminum hull is I can set it up to be truely weather proof. I obsessively cover my boat due to the paranoia that my new wood could rot, even though I encapsulated the living snot out of it and I have three seasons on it now and it is still fine. The thought of an aluminum hull with floor boards made of sealed wood that can be unbolted and replaced cheaply and easily just seems really appealing. I want to know that if I feel like not covering it and it rains that I won't be stressing out over it.<br /><br /> The other factor is being able to run less power for the same end result or get an even better result from the power I do have. I have that 115 horse Evinrude that just seems like it would rest nicely on the transom of an 18 foot tinny. I would be able to prop that thing out to have a nice fast cruise speed and still have some good economy. <br /><br />I do really like my current boat and its configuration, and a tinny would end up in a similar configuration. I do know I won't sell this boat until I have another and it is completed. I need to always have a usable boat.

 

[Realgun]

Re: Thinking of ways to make the Beast more efficient.

You really want an answer? Get yourself an E-tec or the Merc Whatever of that same engine and be done with it. The fuel you save though will not pay for that motor foar a LONG time.