Fuel consumption

Scillypete

Scillypete

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www.peteandspamgosailing.blogspot.com
I've been looking at several different boats currently on the market but cannot get any idea of how much fuel each will burn in a hour while at cruising speed. The details give impressive figures for top speeds and cruising speeds but nothing when it comes to how much the engine will drink. The brokers don't even answer the question they just mutter and move on. Why is it such a difficult question.

The type of boats we're thinking of are the searay sundancer 230 and the Bayliner cierra.

Its no good us buying the boat if we can't afford to go to sea in it. So I would be grateful if anyone could throw some light on it for me.
 
Thats because the figures will scare you away :-)
Typically, both these boats will start off with a 5ltr engine,which in my opinion will use approx 7-9 gallons in a cruise(around 25mph) and upwards of 15 gallons open throttle.
Personally,i wouldn't concern myself too much with the latter figure as you probably wouldn't ever cruise around with a wide open throttle for an hour anyway.These types of boats i'd say are more the cruiser type although ocassionally you may like to stretch her legs.

I'm sure other members on here will have more accurate information, but for now this should give you some indication as i wont be far out.

Si
 
Big topic and much discussed here. I have been told take the total horsepower and divide by 10 for consumption flat out. That seemed roughly right for a 2 stroke outboard (Yamaha 115 on an 18 ft bowrider)

I worked on 6gph at around 25 knots.

Should be less for a 4 stroke inboard but depends so much on loading and how the boat is driven. The bigger boats seem to work on around 1 mpg (I guess about 25gph diesel)
 
Has anybody ever seen fuel consumption figures featured anywhere ever,be it brochure,on sales web site or even given any real prominance in any magazine article.
Is the complete absence of any details on stands at any of the boat shows a prime example of a total lack of interest by the punter or a case of the builders not wanting to frighten the life out of possible customers.
The infomation is out there,but only a determined buyer will be able/bother to find it.
 
Petrol or diesel? And what size engine?

Have more than a passing interest cos my son is hoping to buy a Searay 230 as well, hope it's not the same one!!
 
We Have been very happy with the V6 merc 4.3, 210HP and V6 4.3 MPI 220HP,
fuel consumption was acceptable, friends with V8 5l, 270 HP have to be more précautious for their fuel bill.
The V6 4.3MPI 220hp is just OK for a 23ft boat, easy planing, 35kn top speed.
some actual consumption figures:
average consumption is 40...50 l/hour (usually we are havy loaded, and or sporty usage )
But you don't cruise all day, on our holliday's in the adriatic we are ALL day on or around the boat, and spend on average 80 liters petrol per day of usage. some day's a lot more some day's less, hope this gives an idea, and doesn't change your mind about the purchase.
IMHO it is worth every penny ! we only live ones
 
I ve had a 5.0l on a petrol on a 24 ft boat. Costs are perfectly ok.
Dont get TOO worked up about fuel burn, unless you think you will be an unusual boater.
Waterskiing for example is very thirsty, but unless that is going to be a major part of using the boat, consider this...
Most sportsboats run engines for maybe 50 hours a year. Some of that is in marinas, etc etc, so in terms of real fuel burn, you might be looking at 40 hours.
Lets say you cruise at 25knots...so that gives you 1000miles or so of boating. Given poor weather, short trips etc etc, unless you really do regularly undertake long trips.. its not a bad guesstimate. Say 35 litres per hour (maybe a bit more, maybe a bit less), and the you are looking at £1500 fuel for a year.
OK, one year it maybe £1700, or £2000 if you have a great season, and another it might be only £1000 if you dont get the time, or the weather is bad all summer (like last year)...
but its the sort of numbers.
Bear in mind at 25+knts , you get places quickly. Boating isnt ALL about the journey. Alot of the time maybe you are at anchor in a quiet bay, maybe having a spot of lunch etc etc.. and that uses no fuel whatsoever!
 
Firstly thanks to everyone for your responses all are very helpful.

gjgm, thats useful, I do anticipate a fairly hefty usage on an almost daily basis (depending on weather) from May to September, but as you say we may not be motoring for long especially when most of our use is going to be locally.
 
Although a different size engine, I've done a bit of anlysis on my fuel consumption (D12 675 hp) and - for me the most interesting is the bottom end consumption. At slow ahead I make about 5-6 knots, if I increase to 8-10 knots I multiply my consumtion by 4! Makes a big difference when we are in rivers, entering harbour or in the waterways (e.g. Holland). At cruising speeds it doesn't really get out of hand until we really open up to maximum cruise (flat out the consumption is really scary) - suggest any planing hull will behave in a similar fashion?
 
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