How much does it actually cost to fuel a boat ?

BruceK said:
Indeed, I can point you to that scoundrel's boat and where the funbox is located. But first, what's in your funbox and can I partake?
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@Patrick1964 I think that Bruce meant this question at you rather than me (as my funbox is 4,000 miles away from y'all) - I am sure that both @BruceK and @seastoke will make allowance for the size of your boat and invite you on board for drinkies on their vessels (twice the displacement and 10 times the cargo carrying ability when it comes to booze). :)
 
I had a Skibsplast with a 140 hp Yanmar, Diesel. Very Economical. The petrol station near me has a Red Diesel Pump which helps. At tick over but doing 5 knots because of the BIG 4 blade propeller it seemed to run all day on a couple of liters , so much so I even put White diesel in it.
 
On our first boat it had a 1.5 gallon tank, putting a gallon of 2 stroke in it, it would last around 4 or 5 hours flat out the boat would do 3knots on fresh water and just over 4knots in salt water with it's 1.5hp Stuart Turner engine.

With my dory with the 75hp Johnson V4 2-stroke would do about 9gallons/hour at 35knots, it had a 5 gallon tank so lots of jerry cans were carried on a day out :)
 
Alicatt said:
On our first boat it had a 1.5 gallon tank, putting a gallon of 2 stroke in it, it would last around 4 or 5 hours flat out the boat would do 3knots on fresh water and just over 4knots in salt water with it's 1.5hp Stuart Turner engine.

With my dory with the 75hp Johnson V4 2-stroke would do about 9gallons/hour at 35knots, it had a 5 gallon tank so lots of jerry cans were carried on a day out :)
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But which one gave the better mpg?
 
it's an interesting question and one we asked when looking at boats. a friends 5.7 V8 petrol 28footer is horrendous for fuel costs our KAD 43 powered Leader 805 is, I think pretty reasonable, a blat down the Solent up to Yarmouth / Hurst Castle and back to Hythe costs about £30, I'd expect to at least double that cost with petrol
 
swinging mooring costs don't need to be expensive, marinas are :-) , depreciation at the moment is not an issue, good boats are increasing in value, but undoubtedly that bubble will burst, yearly servicing of a single engine KAD43 is about £500-600 per year providing you do the rest yourself, antifoul, polish and general maintenance the costs are not too stupid.
 
Patrick1964 said:
I’m looking at buying my first motorboat in the next few months. Loads are for sale, some with twin inboard petrol V8’s, some with single inboard diesels and of course there‘s a choice of outboards too.
I can’t help thinking that running a boat with twin petrol inboards must be incredibly expensive, but what about an in board diesel, or (say) 100hp four stroke outboard ? What is the cost of fuel for an average day on the water ? I’d guess a bit of a cruise down the coast, a spot of fishing, tow a toy for an hour and then cruise home ?
cheers, Patrick
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From near where you are I went over to S Ireland in a 26ft boat with 2 x 140 Volvo Penta outdrives and used 60 gallons of petrol, each way.
This was in 1975 when 3 gallons of petrol cost £1. After that I went over to Red Diesel and it was 5 p a litre then. I would never have a petrol boat ever again.
 
Patrick1964 said:
Let’s say an 18ft sports cruiser with a 100hp four stroke outboard then, something like this, which is sold. Galeon - Galia 530 *Sold* For Sale in Dorset | Gibbs Quay Boat Sales |
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Just to rewind a few posts and in reply:
I have a Yamarin 59HT with a 115hp Yamaha - a great combo. A super boat that will handle any sea, really comfortable and practical and built in Finland. She will hit 35kts but we generally cruise at 18-20 which is something of a sweet spot for the boat. At that she does about 6mpg ish. About 1 litre per nm.
 
Patrick1964 said:
My question was about fuel costs, but thanks.
if I want to know the cost of berths it’s easily found.
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I answered that in my 1st post on this thread, but a moderator didn't like the fact that I mentioned I was selling my boat, so deleted most of the post, including the useful bit about its fuel consumption. I was just adding the context that fuel costs are typically minor Compared to the other costs assuming your boat is kept in a marina. I thought it may be helpful to say but I'll refrain from trying to be helpful in future

Anyway to answer the question directly a 26 foot planing boat with a 260hp diesel(which is most definitely not for sale :-)) consumes about 4.5mpg.

It's replacement a 28 foot petrol 300hp outboard powered boat consumes about 2.5mpg.
 
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