Getting back to fuel economy, i heard that the cost of diesel is the cheapest thing about owning a boat. I always thought it was hoggwash. Turns out they were correct. Well, funny thing when sail boat owners ask about my fuel economy, they ask how big is my tank? then wow thats alot to fill up. Well, gee, they pay the same for slip fees as our 43' and insurance is the same, as well as other cost of canvas and upkeep. I get 3.5-4.0 gph @ 7.0 kts which works out to about 2 miles/gal. I say slip fees are the major cost in owning a boat. Every month paying $600-700 is painful. I went from NC to South Florida on $1000. If you break out the calculator and use an open mind you will find even buying a sail boat doesnt make much sense just to save money on fuel. So if I spend $1000 (4gph), the blow boater might spend $250(1gph). Savings $750. Wow thats not a huge savings. I used a sail boat to show the far expreme. I think the trawlers fall between 2-3 gph. You'll blow that the first month of slip fees. Most people only travel up and down the east coast so its easy to figure what the cost will be every day. If you anchor out a few times along the way south you will break even on fuel cost as well. So tell me again why I want to want to sacrifice comfort and a huge sundeck to save some fuel. If I pushed my throttles down and the bow up I would burn lots of fuel, but I dont. I travel slowly because we like to take in the scenery and enjoy the lite breeze. If you want to travel to Panama or somewhere like that, well, maybe fuel might be an issue. Most of us only put a few hundred hour per year so its no big deal. I wouldnt choose to buy a boat based on fuel consumption unless I was set on doing some very long range traveling. I know a guy who owns a 54' Defever with twin 3208's that burn 6 gph @ 9 kts. Wow thats great economy when you think of how much boat your getting. Again, the price of fuel isnt a deal breaker, but slip fees will hurt you. Just my feelings.