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Old 12-16-2014, 09:35 AM
captainmurph captainmurph is offline
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Fuel Consumption Poll

I'm planning a long trip and need to come up with a fairly accurate guestimate of my fuel consumption and estimate range.

I haven't carefully calibrated this on recent trips since I had some sailing, some motorsailing and little prolonged motoring. I would estimate (hopefully on the conservative side) .9 gallons per hour at a normal 1200-1500 rpm cruise.

My boat, as operated, likely weighs in at 9000-10,000 lbs. I have a 2-bladed, non-feathering prop.

Any of you with comparable sized boats: What is your estimate on your A-4's fuel consumption (Gallons Per Hour)?
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Old 12-16-2014, 09:43 AM
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I'd plan on 1 GPH and not be surprised if it ended up closer to 3/4 GPH. One GPH makes the math easy and doing better than the estimate is emotionally uplifting. The error will be to your benefit.

If, for example, you went the other way and estimated 3/4 GPH and actually consumed 0.9 GPH you'd be in a funk. Who wants that?
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Old 12-16-2014, 10:06 AM
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A few years back I tried to keep track of fuel consumption. I was heading south on the ICW. I motor sailed, jib only, as much as I could. Also the currents work for you and against you. Plus I use a marked stick as my fuel gauge. So FWIW my consumption ran from .6 GPH to 1 GPH. IIRC. I do not have my log with me. I did use the adjustable main jet to lean out the mix before the trip. Having said all that I use the same approach as ndutton for an estimate. 1 GPH.Then monitor fuel level daily and adjust my fuel stops accordingly. Do remember to not use the full capacity of your tank in your math. My tank can hold 35+ gallons but I use 30 to allow for what is below the pickup tube.
Dan S/V Marian Claire
Edit: The MC is heavier and I have the 2 to 1 reduction so my RPM is higher but the load on the A-4, vacuum gauge reading, may be close to what you have???

Last edited by Marian Claire; 12-16-2014 at 10:11 AM.
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Old 12-16-2014, 10:36 AM
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What's your fuel capacity Murph? How many tanks?
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Old 12-16-2014, 01:45 PM
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I ran the ICW and got 1 statute mile to a gallon of gas. I always use MMO also.

This was on my Tartan 34, 12000 pounds, just launched clean bottom. Indigo prop, 6 kn, 2000 rpm. Some current helped, some hurt.
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Old 12-16-2014, 02:01 PM
captainmurph captainmurph is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ndutton View Post
What's your fuel capacity Murph? How many tanks?
Right now, it is only 20 gallons and, due to the range I'll need heading down the rivers next summer, I'll either have to install another tank or refuel with 20L Jerry Cans strapped to a board and lifeline stanchions.

Even with my WM discount, it'll cost over $100. for four new Jerry Cans, vs about $350. for another 25 gallon tank, deck fill, 2-tank valve and plumbing.

I kind of like the idea of having a new tank, but love the idea of gas-freeing the 20L cans and storing in the lazarrette when I don't need them.

I agree that estimating 1 gph is pretty safe. I need to have a 250 mile range from Hoppie's on the Mississippi to Kentucky Dam Marina on Kentucky Lake (Tennessee River).

It seems that 35 or 40 gallons is still pretty tight - although I'm going downstream for all but about 35 miles on the Ohio.

I may have to consider adding a tank and carrying Jerry Cans!

Murph
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Last edited by captainmurph; 12-16-2014 at 02:03 PM.
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Old 12-16-2014, 02:08 PM
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Talking

I have run the ICW (and back) seven times in the last 19 years and have developed fairly accurate fuel consumption data. .9 gal/hr is a good figure to work with. In my case this includes a lot of running on the hook to maintain batteries while cooking with a 1600 watt toaster oven (I have two inverters including a 2500 watt unit); hence my "steaming" consumption may be down around .75 gal/hr. FWIW, adding a fuel ratio gauge (oxygen sensor activated) and an adjustable main jet gives you the ability to "dial it in"; also helps keep you burning clean.
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Old 12-16-2014, 02:09 PM
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"I kind of like the idea of having a new tank, but love the idea of gas-freeing the 20L cans and storing in the lazarrette when I don't need them".
I have used Jerry cans for years. I have never stored them below even when "empty". Always on deck and I made a simple sunbrella cover to slow down the UV breakdown.
Dan S/V Marian Claire

Last edited by Marian Claire; 12-16-2014 at 02:11 PM.
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Old 12-16-2014, 03:05 PM
captainmurph captainmurph is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Marian Claire View Post
"I have used Jerry cans for years. I have never stored them below even when "empty". Always on deck and I made a simple sunbrella cover to slow down the UV breakdown.
Dan S/V Marian Claire
Funny you should mention that. I'm in the process of making four zippered bags for a customer that wants to UV shield his Jerry Cans. I had planned on making them for me as well!
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Old 12-16-2014, 03:26 PM
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Hi Murph,
I have a C&C 30 with a 3 blade non-folding michigan prop 12 / 6 pitch. I get 3/4 of a gallon motoring at 5.5 to 6 kts in relatively calm seas. Let's say waves and swells consistent in open ocean with wind up to 15 kts. If I have sea and wind on the nose in the 15 to 30 kt range, consumption is more like 1 gallon an hour. That would be with the boat loaded (over 11,000 lbs) with clean bottom and clean prop.

The 3 blade prop might make a difference as it will indeed help keep the boat moving forward in heavier weather. This past summer we motored through Sambro Channel and a Hunter Vision 32 couldn't do it with her 30 hp diesel and two blade prop...they were getting stopped by waves. There were actually two diesels that headed into Sambro Harbor because they couldn't keep enough way on and were taking a beating.

So, from my experience on my boat, I think you should bank on using 1 gallon an hour. That is with the carb set up just right, not too rich, not too lean, good plugs, wires etc etc.

In conditions in below video, I'm 1 gallon an hour and making 4 to 4.4 kts if memory serves me correctly. Once I get the wind off the nose, and not driving straight into it, the speed and mileage improves.
[YOUTUBE]q7rJN8YAvxA[/YOUTUBE]
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Last edited by Mo; 12-16-2014 at 07:34 PM.
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Old 12-16-2014, 07:23 PM
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If you decide to go with a second below deck tank

. . . we need to talk.
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Old 12-16-2014, 07:35 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ndutton View Post
. . . we need to talk.
Oh yes, you do have dual tanks.
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Old 12-16-2014, 08:52 PM
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Want some good advice?...

Go with dual tanks AND talk with Cap'n Neil about it.
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Old 12-17-2014, 07:14 AM
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OK, I've learned back channel that the addition of a second tank is being considered. We had a discussion of my dual tank system a while back including the ability to transfer and polish fuel from one tank to another.

For starters here is the thread where we talked it up, system drawing is in post #29.
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Old 12-17-2014, 10:33 AM
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Talking

After multiple runs down and back on the ICW I learned a few things about fuel that I'll share with you. FWIW, as always. First, if you lash a bunch of fuel jugs on deck, in addition to the obvious issues with safety and seaworthiness, you are going to look like exactly what you are - a "floater". The ability to blend in with the locals becomes especially valuable as you get into Florida where transients are viewed askance. I finally ended up with three "built in" fuel tanks, one of which is removable. It is important to be able to fetch fuel apart from marine fuel docks (good example, South Mills lock). But of course the installation must meet USCG standards. Same discussion applies to water. In both fuel and water, there is no such thing as too much capacity. Again, FWIW.
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Old 12-17-2014, 11:03 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by romantic comedy View Post
I ran the ICW and got 1 statute mile to a gallon of gas. I always use MMO also.

This was on my Tartan 34, 12000 pounds, just launched clean bottom. Indigo prop, 6 kn, 2000 rpm. Some current helped, some hurt.
Are you sure that you did not mean 1 hour per gallon, which would put it at about 6 miles per gallon?
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Old 12-17-2014, 11:53 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hanleyclifford View Post
... if you lash a bunch of fuel jugs on deck, in addition to the obvious issues with safety and seaworthiness, you are going to look like exactly what you are - a "floater". ....
There's another potential issue.

A few years ago, I helped a friend move his sailboat down the Chesapeake Bay on the first leg of a trip down the ICW to florida. In addition to his internal 30 gallon tank, he had six 5-gallon plastic jerry jugs lashed on deck. While I was chatting with our marina owner before departing, he told me that the Department of Homeland Security had "requested" that marina owners notify them of any vessel departing with more than 5 gallons of gas in jerry jugs!

Being a sailor himself, he declined their request.

But I wonder if all those jugs might get you boarded. Anyone ever heard of that happening?
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Old 12-17-2014, 01:35 PM
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I am using the Indigo prop on a 35 footer and at my cruise of 7" of manifold I get 2100 RPM's and use just under .9 GPH. Nothing fancy just an EI, stock plugs and carb. She runs great and has for 44 years so far!!!!

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Old 12-17-2014, 08:24 PM
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I always plan 1 GPH, but I don't think I burn quite that much. This fall, I was calculating fuel burn at 1 GPH, and when I went to winterize the motor, I'd figured I could put 10 gallons in the tank to fill it based on the hour meter..I could only add about 8, so I am somewhere in the .8/gal hour range I think.
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Old 12-17-2014, 10:34 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by zellerj View Post
Are you sure that you did not mean 1 hour per gallon, which would put it at about 6 miles per gallon?
Thanks Jim. Who knows what I was trying to type.

6 statute miles to a gallon, I would suppose, lol
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Old 12-17-2014, 10:41 PM
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Could the second tank be filled by the main tank and not have a fill thru the deck, but just a vent?

I know it could be hooked up, but is it ABYC?
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Old 12-17-2014, 11:15 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by romantic comedy View Post
Could the second tank be filled by the main tank and not have a fill thru the deck, but just a vent?
Sure it could. Logically fuel from the larger tank is transferred to the smaller tank.

Quote:
I know it could be hooked up, but is it ABYC?
I think it could be done in compliance. It would certainly need grounding and its own vent. Engine operation is required to be locked out during fuel transfer too. All you'd be saving is a hose and a fill plate.

edit:
I forgot to mention my strong preference for transferring fuel through the filter. You don't want contamination in one tank to pollute the other. Also, if the existing tank doesn't have an available port to receive transferred fuel we have an easy solution for that too.
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Last edited by ndutton; 12-17-2014 at 11:30 PM.
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Old 12-17-2014, 11:25 PM
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thanks Neil,

I have a nice square 15 gallon tank that fits nicely below the cockpit. I have had it for years and never hooked it up. The fill house run will be a pain. Now this thread has me thinking of not having one. Better then the cans on the deck.
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Old 12-18-2014, 09:23 AM
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Captainmurph. Do you plan to make more long distance trips or is this one and done?
As with most things "how you use your boat" is key. If you are making relatively short, time wise, but long motoring hrs wise then your below deck space may be better used for a fixed multi-tank system. That is not the case for me.
I do not know how many cans you need but I use three and have never felt like they compromised the seaworthiness of the MC. If a boat is so tender that 100# of fuel at deck level makes her unstable then it may be time to use a different boat.
I have been boarded many times over the years. CG, LEO's etc. No one ever asked me about my Jerry Cans
This whole "floater" thing has got my knickers in a twist so I had better stop.
Dan S/V Marian Claire
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Old 12-18-2014, 10:07 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Marian Claire View Post
Captainmurph. Do you plan to make more long distance trips or is this one and done?
As with most things "how you use your boat" is key. If you are making relatively short, time wise, but long motoring hrs wise then your below deck space may be better used for a fixed multi-tank system. That is not the case for me.
I do not know how many cans you need but I use three and have never felt like they compromised the seaworthiness of the MC. If a boat is so tender that 100# of fuel at deck level makes her unstable then it may be time to use a different boat.
I have been boarded many times over the years. CG, LEO's etc. No one ever asked me about my Jerry Cans
This whole "floater" thing has got my knickers in a twist so I had better stop.
Dan S/V Marian Claire
Hi Dan - Please don't be upset about the term "floater". I've had it applied to me by the Florida Marine Patrol and subsequently learned it's actually an honorable appellation for gypsy liveaboards like me (and many other rogues of the ICW). Sorry for any unintentional twisting. BTW, I too have been boarded multiple times, jugs on deck, without event.
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