fuel usage question on a penta 130 birchwood princess pilgrim

[bababoom]

Hi All
Im thinking of up grading from my 22 freeman witch runs of fresh air and fumes to a 25 ft Birchwood Princess Pilgrim or similar.
Most of these seem to be fitted with a twin carb 130 Penta and out drive.
Whats the fuel usage on this engine or river use?
Ive looking into servicing costs of the leg but theres not much imfo on fuel consumption.

 

[oldgit]

My Princess 25 had the 175hp V6 petrol engine with a 280 outdrive leg.
A fairly heavy boat,we could see 16/17 knots on good day.
At stately 5/6 knot cruise we were using about 10L per hour,considerably more at 10 or 12 knots.
Suspect a 130 hp would not be much different.
IMHO the V6 was better engine .

 

[Spi D]

The 130 is the legendary Volvo B20, designed in Sweden, casted in the UK many years ago. Old by comparison to modern engines but rock solid and designed to be fixed by any blacksmith north of the polar circle. In produvtion and use for many years.

The V6 was a joint venture with Peugeot and Renault and IMO a money pit. Was rapidly replaced by new versions, in the car industry by variants from each company comprising turbos and smaller volumes (2.5 litre). Discontinued in the late 90's.

The later 5-cyl Volvo 2.5 (as also seen in certain Ford's during their ownership of the Swedish brand) is a different story. Much stronger than the PRV bunch of compromises.

 

[bababoom]

I was actually looking for full consumption and how much it would cost to run as a river boat, but an interesting post none the less

 

[No Regrets]

I had a Birchwood 25, with a 1.6 litre Cortina Watermota, it used very little fuel.

The current Scand with twin 3.6 Volvo Diesels also uses very little fuel. Watch out for the V8's, most others are not a big issue on the Thames.

However, the cost of the Petrol is around twice that of Diesel once you factor in the tax deductions you get by quoting the fuel is for heating use. Reckon £300 a year difference?