Re: Trip Fuel Consumption Estimate
Top off the tank before you use the boat. Log the engine RPM, distance, times, and wind/current speed and direction during your cruise. Next trip, top off the tank again and log the fuel consumption.
It was a lot of work, but I now know exactly how much fuel I will burn in many types of conditions.
The fuel cost is the number of gallons times the cost per gallon. Ten gallons of gasoline at $2.60 per gallon will cost $26. If the boat uses ten gallons per hour, your cost to run the boat is $26 per hour.
Absent a fuel flow meter, the only thing you have is similar boats. From the hip, I bet she barely makes 1.5 MPG at a comfortable cruise, and wide open I bet she dips below 1. Personally I'd base everything on 1.2 MPG and leave 1/3 of your capacity as a reserve until you have some data.
