Aquador 32 fuel consumption and comments?

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Failcon

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Thinking of changing boats and saw a very nice Aquastar 28C while walking around the harbour yesterday. Lovely wide side decks and side access but that leaves the interior a bit narrow. So now researching the Aquastar 32C. I understand this is on shaft drive whereas the 28C is outdrive.

One review of the 32C (Motor Boat and Yachting, Jan 2005) comments that it is thirsty (about 2.7 litres/mile at 17.5 kts) and a usable range of just over 200 miles. However their test was conducted in pretty awful weather that is likely to have an adverse effect. Curiously the same review also quotes a "slow cruise" speed of 17.5 kts giving a range of 400 miles!!. Engine was 370 Yanmar.

I have also seen a 2009 data sheet for a Volvo D6-370 in a 32C showing 2.2 l/mile at 17.5-20 kts and similar engine rpm.

Neither of these consumption figures look too awful considering weather conditions etc. and I was wondering whether any 32C owners could comment. I started looking out for a Hardy Commander 32, but they are very rare and hardly ever come up for sale. Obviously the Hardy is a heavier displacement hull more biased to a semi-displacement performance and maybe a bit more comfortable in a head sea but any comments on comfort and engine noise for the Aquador would be very welcome.

Thanks
 
Failcon said:
Thinking of changing boats and saw a very nice Aquastar 28C while walking around the harbour yesterday. Lovely wide side decks and side access but that leaves the interior a bit narrow. So now researching the Aquastar 32C. I understand this is on shaft drive whereas the 28C is outdrive.

One review of the 32C (Motor Boat and Yachting, Jan 2005) comments that it is thirsty (about 2.7 litres/mile at 17.5 kts) and a usable range of just over 200 miles. However their test was conducted in pretty awful weather that is likely to have an adverse effect. Curiously the same review also quotes a "slow cruise" speed of 17.5 kts giving a range of 400 miles!!. Engine was 370 Yanmar.

I have also seen a 2009 data sheet for a Volvo D6-370 in a 32C showing 2.2 l/mile at 17.5-20 kts and similar engine rpm.

Neither of these consumption figures look too awful considering weather conditions etc. and I was wondering whether any 32C owners could comment. I started looking out for a Hardy Commander 32, but they are very rare and hardly ever come up for sale. Obviously the Hardy is a heavier displacement hull more biased to a semi-displacement performance and maybe a bit more comfortable in a head sea but any comments on comfort and engine noise for the Aquador would be very welcome.

Thanks
Click to expand...
So is it an Aquador or Aquastar you are talking about ?

The Aquastar is a fairly heavy albeit semi displacement hull, so ~2 mpg seems pretty good to me. I thought the Aquador was a much lighter Merry Fisher style boat.
 
I was the OP and was indeed referring to Aquador not Aquastar. Don't know where that came from - must have a sub-conscious tie to semi-displacement boats taking control of my typing.

Anyway, does 2.2 litres per mile sound a more realistic fuel consumption than 2.7 in reasonable flat water?

Thanks
 
I had the use of one through a boat club.
Nice boat, very solid and well built. Single D6 370 in the one we had.
I never drove her hard - happy cruising in the late teens speed wise.
2nmpg is about where the consumption is at mid planing speed. Obviously uses more if you are punching tide/sea, less if it’s flat calm.
 
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