duh Wrote:
>
> Powerboats use a lot of fuel because they never
> "coast"....marine engines are ALWAYS "climbing a
> steep hill, so to speak.
>
> I would suggest a twin 4-stroke outboard setup for
> fuel economy (and performance) Yamaha and Honda
> make great ones...hull design is very important
> too, but I don't know what's new out there these
> days.
>
> BTW, the term "mpg" is not used in the boat biz,
> that I've ever heard of. I'd be suspicious of any
> builder making such a claim....there's too many
> variables. It's "gph" (gallons per hour) that
> boats have historically been rated by for fuel
> efficiency.
>
> I highly recommend that you install "flow
> meters"...a gauge that measures fuel flow to each
> engine in gallons per hour. They are expensive
> but can save you many times their cost in fuel.
>
> Example: I run an old 57 foot Chris*Craft with
> twin 8V-71TI Detroit Diesels that can drink well
> over 100 gallons per hour wide at full throttle.
> How much over I don't know...my flow meters peg at
> 50 gph (each). Of course, I very rarely push the
> sticks to the wall! LOL
>
> But, it is AMAZING how much a small throttle
> adjustment (less than 100 rpm on my boat) at
> cruising speed can reduce fuel consumption. Every
> boat has a "sweet spot" where you achieve the best
> hull speed vs. fuel consumption.
>
> You'll never find that sweet spot without flow
> meters...scum on the hull, tides, current and
> loading can all affect gph from one day to the
> next. FlowScan is a good brand of meters...mine
> are working great after 20+ years.
>
> Yeah, if you have a place on the Bay...you simply
> MUST have a boat....period! LOL
>
> PS: The average cruise ship goes about a foot (12
> inches) on a gallon of fuel!
Thanks. Any thoughts on the motorsailers?
http://www.iboats.com/boats/marine--1/boats--10/sailboats--104/motorsailer--1089/index.html?order=price