Fuel consumption

[robstracey]

A friend of mine is lookin into buying an old motor cruiser, and i'm helping him to cost all out, insurance, marin fees, etc. But i cant find out how much fuel, on average these things burn. any clues? As this will become a big deal when the red diesel goes.

The sort of thing he is looking t is a 1980 twin diesel flybridge type of deal, around 35' - 40'

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

You don't say what it is but if it is a planing or semi displacement shaftdrive hull, reckon on 1 mpg at planing speed speed or about 2.5mpg at slow speed

 

[hlb]

Yep, I reacon 1 mpg is realistic. I once checked mine at 1.3 on a 600 mile run, at about 22 knots. Mind, I dont do over 18 these days. But still reacon 1 mpg.

 

[robstracey]

Really!? christ allmighty! so when they take the red away, a 100 mile trip will be like, 500 quid!? no wonder your all so pissed off about it!

It's a good job my friend has far more money than sense!!!!

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Yeah but look on the bright side. Until Nov 2008 it will cost £250.

 

[robstracey]

its quite frighteneing really! what the hell does hmg wanna do with all that money?! greedy [--word removed--]!

Anyone got any recomendations on which boats are worth looking out for?

 

[hlb]

About three years ago, I was paying about 20p, or ok 28p max. Next year it's going to be a £1 or more maybe £1.30.

This year it's around 45- 60 P Know idea why the difference.

It's already untenable, port to port. At £1-20/30 a litre or six quid a gallon.

 

[nickcred]

Re: Fuel consumption - Is it just a rumour

filling up with Diesel at a Marina on the Thames this wekend and the guy pumping the fuel said they were now saying there would be no change until 2010, anyone heard? Or is it just a dream lol

 

[mont]

Or your friend could go look at the twin diesel 'sterndrive' option.
Generally they run smaller engines for the same speeds and because of efficiency gains give much better fuel economy - should be looking at about 1.8 to 2.3mpg at 20 - 30 knts.
Before its said though would accept fully that they do need more TLC from someone whose competant.
We have consistantly acheived 2.1 to 2.3 mpg with ours.

 

[Andrew_Fanner]

I usually work on litres/hour at so many revs rather than mpg, I find mpg can be shaken about by tides and so forth such that it can become less useful as a working figure.

EG I "know" that at WOT 3800 rpm I use about 40l/hr and get about 18 knots. Punching 3 knots of tide gives 15 knots and the mpg gets less meaningful. At 2600 rpm I'm getting about 12 knots but using a lot less juice, but the same 3 knots tide applies.

 

[clivew05]

Well I have twin 230hp Volvo Penta's pushing 11t (36ft) and cruising speed of 27 - 30knts, generally I get 15gals an hour but cover 27 miles so just over a gallon a mile by my reconning ... general cruising ground 45nm radius and cost about £140 for whole trip (£70 each way in fuel) .... better than my old Bayliner 2855 with 6.7l mercruiser - did the same trip in £600!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[duncan]

[ QUOTE ]
its quite frighteneing really! what the hell does hmg wanna do with all that money?! greedy [--word removed--]!

Anyone got any recomendations on which boats are worth looking out for?

[/ QUOTE ]

ones with a very large tanks / range that based between Ramsgate and Plymouth can fill up in France (63ppl) after Nov 2008.............

 

[Andrew_Fanner]

[ QUOTE ]
ones with a very large tanks / range that based between Ramsgate and Plymouth can fill up in France (63ppl) after Nov 2008.............

[/ QUOTE ]

I reckon you need to do some careful sums to ensure that is worthwhile. Of course, if you were going anyway that's another matter.

 

[Nautorius]

Duncan,

I am sure that with Cheaper Fuel, cheaper berths and better grub more people will travel accross the "sleeve" instead of hoping up the coast. Bigger fuel tanks all round I think. Only worth it if you were going for a cruise of some length though! (or a beer if you! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif)

Cheers

Paul /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[duncan]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
ones with a very large tanks / range that based between Ramsgate and Plymouth can fill up in France (63ppl) after Nov 2008.............

[/ QUOTE ]

I reckon you need to do some careful sums to ensure that is worthwhile. Of course, if you were going anyway that's another matter.

[/ QUOTE ]

indeed carefull sums on the one hand but serendipity works well!

last year I did 3 trips over - 4days CIs, 3 days CIs and and overnight Cherbourg - Alderney and back to Poole. On none of the trips did I fuel away from home as it's cheaper at home. Working things the other way I could have taken on a fair bit of fuel relative to my total annual spend.

I can see a lot of people going South instead of West - what really worries me is those people who get lured over for cheap fuel when they miught not have gon for experience, weather or even boat/crew reasons. I am afraid it will happen esp in the SEast.

 

[robstracey]

The last one he looked at (and the current favourite) was a Colvic Trawler, looks a bit ugly to me but then theres no accounting for taste.......

But it has 1500l fuel tank. So i think a few trips accross the english channel is well within the realms of possibility, Especially as the boat will be based in essex.

 

[rooks]

I have a Princess 32 with two Vetus 80 H.P diesels on Volvo 270 drives and it does about 5 miles to the gallon at 8 knots

 

[oldgit]

"1980 twin diesel flybridge type of deal, around 35' - 40'"

Anything of that vintage will surely best not be bought in order to fly around at 25 knots for extended periods.Used at mainly displacement speeds a far more sensible amount of fuel could be consumed.
One poster here recently claimed around 3/4 gallons and hour from his Princess 37 or 38 cruising slowly.

 

[drewsandberg]

I am also trying to figure the cost of boat living. 38-48ft twin diesel aft cabin Carver anywhere from S.C. to R.I. on US East Coast. Any help appreciated. Maybe retirement dream a little out of reach. Can anyone simply drop anchor in a cove and only come in for fuel? Looking at $1000 plus for fill up and the fuel consumption seems daunting with a cruise speed of 16kts . Any sites for more info appreciated.drewsandberg@woh.rr.com