View Single Post
Old 09-24-2018, 10:21 AM   #7
koliver
TF Site Team
 
koliver's Avatar
 
City: Saltspring Island
Vessel Name: Retreat
Vessel Model: C&L 44
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,663
Quote:
Originally Posted by wwestman View Post
Our last trip we burned 46 gallons of fuel over three hours using both engines. Cummins 6BTA 300 Kept rpm between 18 and 2000. By my old math that works out to about 15 gallons an hour or 7.5 per engine.

What I don't know is if that is normal, above average, not so good....whatever. Of course I would assume that if I speed up my fuel usage would also climb.
In your avatar, your boat is a 45 Hershine Jefferson, so a 45000 lb boat?
Your stated speed of 8 to 9, depending on current, near Bellingham Wa, suggests that you are trying for 8.5 through the water.

In nearby waters, my own 44000 lb 44 footer cruises happily at just over 8 knots, on 4 gph, so 2 mpg. Your figures of 0.56 mpg, over 3 x the fuel burn, suggests that you should slow just a little, for a very significant improvement in fuel economy.

If you do speed up, keep an eye on the size of your wash. every extra inch = higher cost in fuel. Alternatively, keep an eye on the depth of the hole your stern is digging. Same rules of physics apply.
__________________
Keith
koliver is offline   Reply With Quote