MPG for French canal trip to Med

[Bluemac]

Hi guys (and gals) I am in the process of planning a trip from Brighton to the Med via Le Havre and Paris, hopefully in September, but have realised that I have no idea what sort of MPG we are likely to get on the 'slower' legs. The canal sections of the journey will be restricted to 4/5 kts which will probably require 1000 rpm or less.

Has anyone done such a trip or similar in a Sealine S34 with twin AD41's, and if so can you pleas help with some info?

 

[Whitelighter]

if you run on one engine ay about tickover (1000rpm is) you will be getting around 3.7mpg.

This was taken from a fuel monitoring system on a Bavaria 330 sport with KAD43's - its about the same size and weight as the S34 so the figures will be about right.

 

[Bluemac]

Thanks Jez that's helpful. My only reservation is that only one engine supplies the power steering, how do I get round that one?

 

[Whitelighter]

hmm, its a tricky one.

You can of course run on two engines with both in gear. Alternatively, you can run on two engines with only one in gear and alternate which one this is. You will use some fuel of course in the engine at idle, but it will be begger all. This will keep your power steering going.

I have figures for both engines running at river speeds (7knts) and that is 3.2mpg (so 0.5mpg worse than the single engine on option). I would suggest that one in gear/one out of gear will be between the two at around 3.4mpg.

 

[Bluemac]

Thanks Jez, that is pretty much the conclusion that I had come to. It's comforting to have some independent confirmation!

 

[Chris_d]

You should be ok on one engine, I reguarly run on only one and alternate engines between locks on the Thames. The steering is a bit heavy on the engine without power steering but at 4/5knts not unbearable, you should also achieve better than 5mpg, unless you increase speed to 6/7knts or so. Its rare for any boat on inland waters to use more tham 1gph regardless on engine size as long as you keep to that 5knt limit, I've done several thousand miles at this speed.

 

[nonitoo]

While the MPG is certainly important, you should also plan your refuelling carefully. Diesel fuelling points (apart from the 20ltr carry from local filling stations) are few and far between.

At present we are in the canal system (7 weeks now) and fuel management is vital.

There are places where the fuel can be supplied in road tankers - at almost the same price as at the pumps.

We are paying €1.40/ltr.

Good luck

Tom