Help needed about fuel consumption/running costs!!

[THEGRIFF]

I am new to this site and was wanting some advice.
I currently own a shetland 535 and i am looking to get a bigger boat.
I am trying to work out how much this new boat would cost to run for the year, i have priced up mooring fees, insurance, licence, ect.
The only thing i am not sure about is fuel costs.
I am wanting something like a bayliner or falcon about 22'-25' in length.
I will mainly be using it on rivers and only going at a slow speed of about 5mph. Maybe a couple of times a year i may want to go faster if i take it up to scotland or out to sea(fishing), but this will not be very often.
The boats i have been looking at are mainly petrol inboard engines and most are volvo penta.
My questions are how much fuel an hour would a 120hp volvo penta petrol engine use at a speed of 5mph and how much fuel an hour would a 200hp volvo penta use an hour?
Can anyone also recomend a more suitable engine for what i am needing it for.

 

[mainshiptom]

At low speeds you should be ok with most engines. after a while using them you will know exactly what the counsumption is. always carry spare so you dont get stuck out there.

i USED tOHATSU 70 FOR A WHILE And it used very little at slow speeds but would consume 25 liters in half an hour at full speed.


Tom

 

[Nautorius]

At that speed not much petrol, infact hardly any compared to opening her up. Probably about 4/5 gallons a day based on a lot of use. I really like the Falcon 23 as a small cruiser, one of my favourites. Also check out the Sealine S240, Searay 240, Chapparal 240 which have good use of space as well. Just try to avoid the Sealine 255 as it will have twin petrols which means twin servicing and repair cost and double fuel.

Paul

 

[BartW]

hi there,
if you are mainly cruising on rivers at 5mph or less, then I wouldn't recommand a planing boat such as a Bayliner or Falcon, as these huls can't easyly keep a straight course at lo speed.
In other words, these boats are no fun to drive at 5mph.

I believe you'r better off with a displacement hull, or in your case a semi displacement hull, when you go out on sea occasionally.
I am not so familiar with popular boats in this segment, but soon other forummates will be around with more or better sugestions.

The fuel consumption really is no issue when you remain at displacement speed,

 

[ReneJK]

I am selling a 22ft boat and the mercuiser 4.3LX , V6 , 205HP uses 2.5 - 3 liters per hour @ 5mph SOG and 26-30 liters per hour @ 30 mph SOG

I just tested this last weekend on a test run on the canal here (no current) with a prospective buyer

 

[rafiki_]

We ran a Sunbird 25ft with a 5.7 OMC on the Norfolk Broads for a couple of seasons some years ago, and the consumption was max 1 gallon per hour at 5-6 knots. When opened up, she would use about 8-10 gals per hour. We were very happy with her as we could spend 2 to 3 days at a time on board. Similar size to the Falcon 22/23 SPC although the Falcon is a nicer all round boat.

I would recommend the Falcon over a similar US boat, as it will be better built, have better accommodation, and be easier to sell on.

 

[nonitoo]

We have a Bayliner 275 (2900kg + personal junk !) with a 200hp Mercruiser diesel and I would agree with the poster who said they are not ideal for extended slow river use.

We use ours mainly on the sea and occasionally in the canals (France) and rivers (Thames, Seine, Oise and Meuse). The boat requires constant steering input at slow speed, OK for a while on holiday, but I would not recommend it for permanent use on rivers.

I'm also not sure of the wisdom of having a powerful engine and pottering with only the occasional burst at cruising revs. I believe engines are designed to work under load.

I am sure there are others more clued up on this than I am.

We use 3ltr/hr@6kts, 22ltr/hr@20kts and 46ltr/hr@28kts (don't do the latter very often if ever). Cannot help with petrol I'm afraid.

Good luck in your quest.

Tom

 

[ontheplane]

I used to have a Fairline 21 weekend (was actually about 22'6") With volvo 145 engine.

Uses next to nothing at low speeds - a gallon an hour perhaps at most.

But as said here before opening her up does make a difference!

However I did find she was fine at low speed, a bit of helm wander aside, perfectly good for a river and a capable sea boat.