Perkins 4107 and my boat ... serious question ..

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I have a Perkins 4107 in my boat and I haven't really got down to working out its real consumption. I rarely get lower than about 1/3rd tank and because is has a tapered bottom - never really measured its capacity. I assume its about 70 litres.

Now I always reckon that my 4107 burns about 2 - 2.5 ltrs an hour at cruise .... reckon on about 5 knots ..... My boat is a heavy Motor sailer - Sunrider 25 ... estimate about 3 tonnes max .... bilge keel.

What would the panel consider a fair consumption figure for the engine based on about 50 - 60% throttle ~ 5kts... (note that as I say above I am purely guessing ... I may be a Fuel Guru - but engines NOT !!)
 
My 4018's burn about 0.75 gallons per hour per engine at about 50% (2000 rpm) i run at 2700 per engine at sea and that goes up to about 1.5 gallons an hour per engine.

they are in a senior 26

Why do you want to know? is it just interest?
 
He has such a big engine in his little motor sailer that he is wondering how large a fuel barge he will need to tow to get all the way to Cherbourg
 
4107's aint big!!! - or are you having cylinder envy!! cos we have 4 /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
 
We've just been working out the same Nigel. A friend has just got a 30ft centre cockpit Mk2 Freeman with 2 Ford 4D engines (the ones fitted to Fordson Power Major Tractors).

My boat with my YSE12 running almost flat out (2000ish of it's 3000 revs due to largish prop) does 6mph (plus a little bit) and he was running his at 1200 to 1300 revs. 6 hours running for his used an estimated 8 gallons, and I ran for almost 8 hours, as my moring is 3 1/2 miles further upstream. I used almost 5 gallons.

On a recent trip I covered about 90 miles, and filled up with 30.05 litres.

I'll have to let you do the maths.

I would guess a 4107 would use around 1 to 1 1/2 gallons an hour, unless you were really just ticking over.
 
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I would guess a 4107 would use around 1 to 1 1/2 gallons an hour, unless you were really just ticking over.

[/ QUOTE ]OOPS - time to get it fixed then - 34', 5½ton sail boat cruising at 6knts on engine only, 2200rpm > ½gal/hour
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hammer.thumb.gif
"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"
 
Gut feel - 2/3 litres an hour.

Getting a wee bit more in depth, if your target is say 5 kts to cruise then mechanical losses of powertrain affect you but the big factor is the wetted surface area of the vessel and its boundary layer resistance to water flow. Associated with this is the sea state.

Moral of this is
Proff Froude he say 'always sail with a clean bum in a millpond.'

Weight only affects how quickly you speed up or stop, I can get over 5kts in Ronhilda with a 2hp outboard stuck on my rear in a harbour.
 
4108 at 0.75 per hr ????

Blimey thats steep ?? thats about 3.4 ltrs an hour !!!

I hope I don't get near that ....

Why to know ? If the long-range weather is correct - I have to motor to france for cherbourg meet ..... about 16 - 20 hrs and i have a tank about 70 ltrs .... with not much room for spare can !!
 
Cliff .... what engine have you ??

As that seems closer to mine than the 1 - 1.5 gals / hr .....

I think I would be horrified if I was burning that much ? I always reckoned about 2 - 2.5 ltrs / hr at 60% throttle .... and 5kts.
 
Small engines and clean bums ...

Mine definitely is not a clean hull .... so I expect about a 10 - 15% increase in consumption ...

I know the use of small engines is possible - used to do my racer (26ft) with a 3.3hp Johnson ..... no trouble until you hit a wave !! Weight doesn't stop an engine pushing you along - even a Seagull will push boats along ... its when you get weather or waves against you that the weight and momentum bit gets important.

I am surprised at the consumptions being quoted as they don't seem related to engine size etc. and I think my old s/hand engine appears to be more economical than first thought .... one day I must measure properly !!
 
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my Co 32 with a YSE 12 used around 2 1/2/ lts per hr u would use less if the prop was the correct size- imho

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The prop IS the correct size. I have had several props of different sizes fitted to my boat, due to it coming with one of the incorrect rotation. In reverse it was too low geared (underpropped) as it achieved maximum revs easily. I still had my GPS so know the true speed. Anything above 5mph produced black smoke. The manual for a YSE12 states 10hp, 12 peak. Unless I'm wrong (yes it has been known <grin>) my understanding is continuous running is NOT at full revs.

My first LH prop was much too large. Engine would rev little more than tick over, producing much black smoke with a speed around 5 1/2 mph.

Last year, this prop a 15 x 10 was a little too large, however it managed to propel the boat at river speed i.e. 6mph, although it still slogged a little.

When I made the new propshaft this spring, I cut approx 1/2 inch off the blades, and the result means the boat now reaches hull speed, without the engine racing, nor slogging as if going uphill. When towing recently I could have done with a slighly smaller prop, but as I can also coast along at 4 to 5 mph at little more than tickover, I fail to see how the gearing can be improved.

However, as I have heard of a boat that used £230 of petrol going from Bardney to Boston and back (44 miles) in 1982 no less, I still think 90 miles (16 on the tidal Trent) for £12.68 today not to be too bad LOL.
 
Been checking mine recently using hr meter and accurate tank dipstick, 28' fin keel clean antifoul 5.5kts cruise, 18hp twin volvo, 13 x 9 3 blade prop (over proped so engine only reaches 2600 rpm). 1/4 gall per hour.
 
Re: Small engines and clean bums ...

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one day I must measure properly !!

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Of course Nigel is perfectly correct as usual. The ONLY way to be sure is drain the tank, and put a measured amount in and run until it stops.

And as an afterthought. When ploughing a Ford always used far more diesel than the Massey Fergusson (Perkins) due to the Ford being direct injection, and the Perkins indirect. Guess which one started on a frosty morning though !!
 
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I would guess a 4107 would use around 1 to 1 1/2 gallons an hour, unless you were really just ticking over.

[/ QUOTE ]OOPS - time to get it fixed then - 34', 5½ton sail boat cruising at 6knts on engine only, 2200rpm > ½gal/hour
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hammer.thumb.gif
"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"

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I had definate 'brain fade' there didn't I. I should have written "I would guess a 4107 to use HALF the consumption i.e. 1/2 to 3/4s a gallon an hour.
 
Re: Small engines and clean bums ...

If she is not pumping out black smoke indicating poor combustion or white indicating incomplete combustion amongst other nasties, then a wholesome old lump in good trim will not be that much more juicy than a tart sexy new lightweight.
I too was a bit surprised at some of the expected consumptions quoted.

Brian
 
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