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how can I get fuel consumption rates per boat model

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by JandJla, Jul 4, 2018.

  1. JandJla, Jul 4, 2018
    #1
    JandJla

    JandJla New Member

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    I know that the manufacturers print fuel consumption rates based on a given speed traveled in the owners manuals when you buy

    when shopping for a boat I would like to have a rough idea of the fuel burn at given speeds but I can't find any on the interweb.

    I know there are a lot of factors. this is why the info in the owners manual is important. how do I get the info

    For instance the 29 foot ranger tug with a single diesel boasts 2GPH I would like to someday get into a used one.

    I also want to compare that to a Carver 36 aft cabin. they usually came in twin Gas engines but I can't find any fuel economy info

    anyone?
  2. olderboater, Jul 5, 2018
    #2
    olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    There are several boat testing and review sites that often have that information. I'd suggest just basically searching for it online.
  3. Capt J, Jul 5, 2018
    #3
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    If a motor achieves wot in any boat, it’s pretty much going to burn the same gph at the same rpm, no matter what is in. Find the fuel curve for the motor, the. Figure out the speed based on published cruise speed, wot etc
  4. Pascal, Jul 5, 2018
    #4
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    I agree about doing a search but if you’re really wondering about fuel economy between a single diesel displacement hull Vs a twin gas cruiser...

    Never mind.
  5. Capt J, Jul 5, 2018
    #5
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    The 36’ carver with gas inboards doesn’t get any economy!11
  6. ranger58sb, Jul 5, 2018
    #6
    ranger58sb

    ranger58sb Senior member

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    Boat owners manuals very likely will have no info about fuel economy. I've never seen that.

    Sometimes you can find magazine articles and on-line sites where someone has done a model review, and that might have info. And there's some kind of website out there that purports to give fuel consumption figures for various engines (can't remember where, dunno whether accurate or not).

    But if you can find the fuel curves for a given engine, sometimes (often?) available from the engine manufacturer, that's generally the same consumption at a given RPM level no matter what boat the engines are installed in. X GPH @ Y RPM. What varies after that is that boat's resulting speed at that RPM level, so NMPG might be a bit elusive.

    There's room for some easy common sense here, too. A small boat with a single diesel could be "economical" whereas a large boat with twin gas engines, not so much. Imagine a number line between those points, interpolate a bit...

    -Chris
    Last edited: Jul 5, 2018
  7. JandJla, Jul 5, 2018
    #7
    JandJla

    JandJla New Member

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    Thanks Chris

    Obviously I know nothing and have no experience with boating. My wife and I are 10 years away from retirement and have dreams of owning a boat that we can ultimately cruise around lake Ontario and heck maybe do a half loop. I know boats can be an endless money pit that you never seem to be able to fill so I'm trying to understand what to expect from all of these different types of set ups. In the end if I can find the right size boat and engine combination that costs in the 10 to 15 grand a season range to run, then I think I'll be happy. I most certainly won't be able to manage a 20 to 25 Grand seasonal boat budget. And, I don't want to just park it at a marina. so many things to think about and fuel may be the least of my worries but I feel it's the first thing to nail down. After that, then its finding the boat with the set up you want and juggling age with price and how much work and repairs will be needed to get the boat in top shape yada yada yada!

    you've had these conversations a million times!

    thanks again
  8. ranger58sb, Jul 5, 2018
    #8
    ranger58sb

    ranger58sb Senior member

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    It is indeed often the case that fuel is not the major annual budget item.

    Berthing and insurance are other larger -- somewhat predictable from year to year, once you know the numbers -- annual expenses.

    "Maintenance" (all aspects of periodic, annual, preventive, repair, etc. service) can be another, but this one "category" can be all over the map in a given year. High this year, low the next, etc.

    -Chris
  9. chesapeake46, Jul 5, 2018
    #9
    chesapeake46

    chesapeake46 Senior Member

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    And it depends on how much you can/want to do yourself.
  10. captainwjm, Jul 6, 2018
    #10
    captainwjm

    captainwjm Senior member

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    "It is indeed often the case that fuel is not the major annual budget item."

    This. If you're not buying fuel, you're not using the boat and if you're not using the boat, all of the other expense is wasted.