Which engines offer the best fuel economy

[Rob H 37]

As someone looking for there first boat it seems that practically every boat I see has different engines.

Is there a guide that can be used to tell which engines offer the best fuel economy against, I assume performance?

I think I am happy to sacrifice a few knots in return for more miles to the buck!

Thanks

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[duncan]

you don't sacrifice a few knots - you just pay more dosh.

any modern diesel, largest they fit to the model, will give you the best fuel consumption in general terms ie a slightly overengined boat run at a lower throttle setting tends to be more frugal than an underpowered on run wide open.
duo props, hull shape and boat weight all make a difference in the end too.
and don't rule out a direct injected 2 stroke outboard either - they can be very frugal with fuel too on lighter craft such as ribs.

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[hlb]

In nearly every case. Diesel is more economic. Though you probably would not put a diesel in a motor bike.../forums/images/icons/laugh.gif

Depends on the boat and what you want it to do??

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Haydn

 

[tcm]

as duncan says, big engines run at lower revs are more economical than smaler engines beingthrashed to achieve the same speed.

Be careful buying a boat only capable of single-digit speeds - these wil be more suited to inland use away from any river/tidal currents. But if you are planning inland use then of course 5 knots is often a maximum speed limit.

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[longjohnsilver]

Tell us what size boat you're looking at and whether it's planing or not and we might be able to come back with some more definitive advice. Also do you want shafts or outdrives?

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[Solitaire]

-------or outboards? Sea, lake or river. And to not to offend those north of the border - Loch/forums/images/icons/wink.gif What do you want from your boating - a gentle cruise? white knuckle ride? Be able to get a good speed some of the time but in the main just happy to meander along like a Sunday driver? Answer some of these questions and then wait for the deluge!/forums/images/icons/smile.gif

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[Talbot]

There is a diesel engine in a motor bike! IIRC it was made in india and was about 27 hp - a trail type bike. Havent heard of it for several years now though!

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[Talbot]

The engines that give you best fuel economy are those fitted to a sailing boat, and thus are only used occasionally. - ducks head back under the parapet quickly

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[Solitaire]

-------------and usually run while the sails are up so that you can zig zag across in front of us mobo chaps under false pretences - but we now know to look at the little puff of smoke and water jet just above the waterline - then watch out!!!!!!!![wink}

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[bernard_foster]

The only ones to give good economy, are those that no longer work. My one still works, runs on LRP and is therefor, low down the list

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[Rob H 37]

... 30 - 35ft, Seagoing, Fairline Targa or similar

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[gjgm]

AHH, as its your first boat, perhaps I might clarify something. Economy,value,prudence,saving,cost cutting-all such words deteriorate very fast in a marine enviroment. Its a nonchalant smile you need, as vast amounts of your money will soon to disappear without explanation. And be warned, as soon as you begin to wonder quite where,why or how, your boating fun will peter out. An attitude of gay abandon is just perfect as your eyes boggle at the pump, or start spinning at the service invoice. Starting by talking about which engine has better economy... sounds very worrying!

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[Rob H 37]

Yep - I appreciate the void I'm probably falling into. I'm just trying to ask as many questions now, so I can go in with my eyes open (Well, as open as possible) - and I'm also trying to understand/avoid some of the 'Black Art' aspects of boating.

I guess with the attitude that I'd rather spend an extra 5k on the boat than on addition Diesel for a thirstier boat of the the next few years.



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[Solitaire]

There is no "Black Art" to boating. It's very simple, imagine standing under a cold shower, tearing up £50 notes. See simple! Boating is like a mistress, expensive to run, you know you shouldn't but you can't do without it.

In terms of so called fuel economy - diesel will get you much further for less. In term sof petrol engines, there are only really to makes - Volvo and Mercruiser, but they are really the same basic engine - big block chevy's. Fuel injected petrols - e.g. MPI etc - will give you better fuel economy than engines with carbs. In all cases, the bigger/heavier the boat the more power required to get it on the plane. You can control the fuel consumption, if you go for petol and you end up driving flat out - well I hope you are very rich! The power required to gain those few extra knots at the top end will chew up vast amounts of fuel for little reward.

In simple terms, just get out there and do it, but understand that it ain't going to cheap and the word "compromise" will feature strongly. Everybody on this forum knows teh pain of boating, but hell it has a masochistic/sadistic attraction which is complelling.

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