Fuel usage

[dave007]

Hi All

 

As already mentioned in earlier posts I am new to this boating game and trying to make sure I get things right on the day.

Does anyone have a way of calculating fuel usage.

My engine is a mature Susuki DT 50cc and seems to run well in the dustbin but how far should I expect from 22ltr of 2 stroke in the sea.

 

Thanks for your help

 

Dave

[Wedger]

Dave,

 

If you posted some more details about your boat such as displacement or planing, length at waterline, displacement (wieght) etc. I'm sure help will reveal itself

 

I'm not familiar with the Fjordling so not much help.

However......

My experience of 2 stroke ends with my last one, a 60 hp on a half ton 17ft wilson Flyer. At full chat 5000 + rpm and plaining at 23 knots she used appx 1 litre per mile. In a chop at displacement speed, you could easily double the fuel consumption. I used to ALWAYS carry 50 litres and resricted operations between Anvil Point to Southborne Rough after leaving Baiter in Poole. From mudeford, I ranged from North Head to the east, The Needles to the south and past Southborne to Bournemouth to the West. Mostly I had plenty to spare but opperated by going out and fishing on tank 'A' and returned on tank 'B'. I'd refuel both and go out on 'B' for the next trip keeping the rotation going. This in the main meant for me an adiquate rotation of fresh fuel and always a full tank to run home on, no matter what the conditions.

 

Bit long winded but I hope this helps.

 

Edited April 4, 2010 by Wedger

[Graham Nash]

Are you saying that you used more fuel at slower speed in choppy weather Wedger?

[Wedger]

Yep!

 

Trying to make reasonable headway at full displacement with a hull designed to plane.

 

Edited April 4, 2010 by Wedger

[great white]

I too used to have a wilson flyer with a 60ho 2 stroke.

 

on long runs I carried three tanks and only went as far as i could on one.

keeping two for the return journey.

 

As Trev says if you can not maintain planning speed the fuel used about doubles.

 

I would start of allowing about 1 ltr a mile, until you have had a few trips and get a more accurate measure.

 

One other thing I made a habit of doing was changing to a full tank. as I returned, outside the harbour entrance. this was to ensure I did not run dry in the busy traffic area.

 

Charlie

[Wedger]

One other thing I made a habit of doing was changing to a full tank. as I returned, outside the harbour entrance. this was to ensure I did not run dry in the busy traffic area.

 

exactly that!!.................

 

 

[Freddie]

I agree with the former comments.

 

I have a 23 year old 60 HP Mercury and find at a slow planing speed a 22 litre tank lasts quite a while on a flat day with little tide running. You will, as time goes by, get very accurate at gauging how much you have used. I guess experience is everything but until you have that, just keep checking as you do not want to run completely dry on a tank otherwise you can get an airlock or sediment going into the engine/carbs etc. It can be tricky to get the engine restarted, especially if you are in a busy/choppy shipping lane. (also has happened to me when I was new to this game)

 

I have two 22 litre and a one gallon plastic tank for back up but never use the latter and always have plenty to get me home or even to help someone else in an emergency.

 

Always take plenty is my advice. I guess due to my work at LHR, safety will always be paramount at all times.

 

Wife would kill me if we ran out..... so another good reason?

 

Failure to prepare is preparing to fail!

[Maverick Martin]

As there are no filling stations out on the briney and whatever your boat may use take note of the golden rule:

 

Use one thrid going, one third coming home, with one third reserve.

 

If you try and keep to the above you should never find yourself running out of fuel.

 

Martin

[Rob]

 

The check \ swap over your tanks when entering difficult waters is a good one. Especially when entering something like Christchuech Run or the entrance of Poole (Hey Charlie A ).

 

Rob

[dave007]

Hi Guys

 

Can I thank you all for the valuable advice given, really glad to hear that it is more fuel efficient on the plane, although not full revs. I like the idea of the thirds rule , it really make good sense and the guide of 1ltr per mile also gives me a good starting point.

 

My boat is a Fjordling 17HT very similar to look at to the Shetland micro plus, although this is a mature boat it is still produced in Norway by Fjord.

It has an unusual feature of being able to take on water in a specially constructed lower hull to aid stabilty at rest, so they say, but have not used the boat yet to confirm it.

 

Thanks again

 

Dave

[great white]

Dave

 

The navy used to have ribs with flooding hulls for stability

 

just remember to pull away with enough power to lift the nose and empty the hull, before pushing for planning speed, it will save fuel while you get rid of the salt water ballast.

 

You will feel her pick up when the water has gone.

 

Charlie

[dave007]

Thanks Charlie.