Fuel consumption

robstracey

robstracey

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

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

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

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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.

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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.
 
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.
 
"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.
 
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
 
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