Recommend Fuel Efficient Trawler

[Marin]

The original, so-called "trawler" concept was for a boat that by its very nature is economical to operate. Whether it has a displacent hull or a semi-planing hull, the boats were intended for relatively slow, fuel-minimizing cruising. A semi-planing hull like a Grand Banks, CHB, etc has some inerhent characteristics that some people view as desirable even at slow speeds like 8 knots or so. The fact these hulls can be driven much faster with the application of a lot more power is also a benefit to some buyers but it doesn't mean the boat has to be operated that way.

But displacement or semi-planing, the true diesel cruiser concept is a very economical boat--- be it a single-engine, displacement Willard or a twin engine semi-planing GB--- when compared to boats that are intended to be run at higher speeds like the big Bayliners, Sea Rays, Eastbays, etc.

So if it was me and I was considering the acquisiton of a boat to spend a lot of time cruising in, be it coastal or inland or a combination of the two, I would be more focused on things like accomodations, configuration, equipment, and what it would be like to operate and maneuver and relax and eat and sleep on board--- things that have a much greater affect on my interaction with the boat than fuel economy.

While the difference of a mile or fraction thereof per gallon can indeed add up over time, given the other expenses associated with cruising the fuel cost differences between the typical, economical diesel cruisers on the market isn't going to be all that signficant to my way of thinking.

I have no idea what our fuel burn is. I know it's "about" five gallons an hour as that's what GB36s with a pair of FL1120s tend to get. We carry 400 gallons of fuel in five tanks with sight gauges so we are well aware of how much we have on board at any given time.

So as long as we determine we have enough on board to do what we want to do, that's as far as our fuel thinking goes. We're not going to back off a few hundred rpm and run at 6 knots to save a few gallons because running at 6 knots in the currents around here can be the equivelent of staying home.

If the differences between 2.2567491 nmpg and 3.1849073 nmpg was that significant, we wouldn't have taken up boating in the first place.

[Carey]

Originally Posted by Steve

On our 2003 Monk 36,with a 22hp Cummins we are getting about 2.4 NM per gallon cruising @ 7k
Older models with smaller engines will get higher
Steve W.

Steve
Did you mean 2.4 gph?

[markpierce]

Originally Posted by manyboats

Sue,
A sailboat would do it.

"Manyanchors," don't give her the idea!

[stepheniser]

Sue
I had a 390 1997 mainship that I lost to Sandy, that said she had a 300 hp cat that at 1200 rpm would give us 6.5 k and use approx 1 to 11/2 gal per hour. She was a great boat that I brought in fl and kept in ny, my travel took me up the hudson to canada and up to R I and boston area. it was a great boat for along the coast

[Daddyo]

Clay's DeFever 38 listed in the classified would be a perfect fit.

[Nomad Willy]

Sue bought a boat.

But I spent a few minutes on Yacht World to get some ideas for her and in case others are looking for a regular trawler with low fuel burn high on their agenda I'll pass on my observations.

Full disp is of course always best for fuel efficiency but there are just not enough to specifically look for them.

My pics are;

1 Sundowner Tugs
2 Nordic Tug 32
3 Gulfstar 36
4 CHB 34
5 Cape Dory
6 Monterey Clipper.

There are quite a few Gulfstars at good prices. I saw an interesting GB. A 32 w/o the FB and w Cummins power.
Sometimes it's fun to browse YW

[sgoren]

Originally Posted by Chrisjs

Sue:
Many (displacement) single screw trawlers will achieve better than 2nmpg, especially when you are traveling slow in canals etc on the Gt. Loop route. For example we have a 65,000 lb 50ft trawler with a 280HP engine that does about 3nmpg at 7.5kt.
I would focus on all the other factors that are important to you. Also, my experience is that fuel does not actually end up being such a major component of ownership/cruising costs

what type of trawler do you have?

[Chrisjs]

Hi Sgoren:
No longer have the vessel. New owners are pretty happy with her, though!!
The trawler is a Selene 47 with 280HP Cummins. Average fuel consumption over many trips was about 2.5gpm at about 7.5kt, equates to 3nmpg.
Chrisjs

[Nomad Willy]

To narrow my pics in post #26 ....

1. Gulfstar
2. CHB 34
3. Nordic Tug

I don't think the Cape Dory or Monterey Clipper is available enough to list and the Sundowner has basically a planing hull w a keel attached. Too far from FD. I think they are lighter than most similar boats and from an efficiency point that redeems them to some extent.

Of course FD is best but some FD boats are so heavy that some SD boats will match then for efficiency. For efficiency weight is a very big enemy and trawlers are traditionally heavy. And very few owners are thinking in terms of keeping thier boats light as evidenced by so many insisting on all chain anchor rodes. So it goes something like this ..
WEIGHT,
BEAM and
HULL DESIGN.
But specific boats may re-arrange the list.

[Mule]

What about Hatteras LRC?

[eyschulman]

Sue please take my advise don't get hung up on the fuel thing. Unless the boat you pick is very big and a pig on fuel its not an issue. Concentrate more on the boat itself. Things like livability and how it will ride. For the loop and inland waters how it deals with wake. How comfortable does it sit at anchor etc. etc........

[sunchaser]

Uh, 2 1/2 year old post. She should have completed the loop by now. Wonder how it went.

[eyschulman]

Sorry saw the dates on the last couple of posts. Still good advise to those contemplating a new for them boat.

[Barpilot]

There is no way you are going to go to the headwaters of the Mississippi and do the "Loop" backwards. About as far north as you can go is St. Anthony Falls in Minneapolis and then it is all down river from there. Just a little geography note.
I forgot to mention that the "headwaters" of the Mississippi is actually at Itaska State Park at least a couple of hours north of the Twin Cities.

[SCOTTEDAVIS]

120 HP. cruse a 7 MPH (AICW) 1.4 gph at 1550 RPM.= 5 mpg

So there!

[sunchaser]

Originally Posted by Barpilot

There is no way you are going to go to the headwaters of the Mississippi and do the "Loop" backwards. About as far north as you can go is St. Anthony Falls in Minneapolis and then it is all down river from there. Just a little geography note.
I forgot to mention that the "headwaters" of the Mississippi is actually at Itaska State Park at least a couple of hours north of the Twin Cities.

Going up the Mississippi is quite fun . I especially like the Iowa stops. Just follow the barges and you won't get lost.

[Nomad Willy]

Originally Posted by SCOTTEDAVIS

120 HP. cruse a 7 MPH (AICW) 1.4 gph at 1550 RPM.= 5 mpg

So there!

Looks like you've got 60hp too much. With a hull as slick as yours 50hp total and 30 for cruise should cover your bases.
But like they used to say in old time drag racing "run what ya brung".

[bayview]

Originally Posted by Sue Freeman

I'm shopping for a trawler to do the Great Loop. I know I want a single screw diesel in the 32 to 36' range. Fuel economy is very important to me. I know there are a boat-load of variables involved, but can anyone recommend a boat make & model and engine combination is is likely to cruise at trawler speed for less than 2 miles per gallon of diesel fuel?

I assume that you mean better than 2 NMpg. Most boats below 50' or so will qualify if you keep them to six knots.\

The big question is why not use the boat you now own?

[CPseudonym]

Originally Posted by bayview

The big question is why not use the boat you now own?

Because "3 years ago" when she wrote that post Sue did not own the GB you see in her picture. Really, you guys have stumbled into a time machine.

[healhustler]

Originally Posted by CPseudonym

Because "3 years ago" when she wrote that post Sue did not own the GB you see in her picture. Really, you guys have stumbled into a time machine.

LOLROF