10 WAYS TO SAVE FUEL ON YOUR BOAT
1. FIND THE MOST ECONOMICAL CRUISING SPEED
Any given combination of boat, prop and speed will have a different fuel consumption rate. Find that perfect speed and try to operate there as often as possible. Almost invariably, that will mean slowing down. It’s a small price to pay for lower fuel consumption.
2. UNLOAD THE BOAT
There is no sense in hauling around equipment you don’t use. Cleaning out those lockers and storage areas to reduce the weight of the boat. Every bit of weight you remove will help your fuel consumption.
3. KEEP THE ENGINE IN TUNE
This is really a no-brainer, a well-tuned engine will burn less fuel and the smoother operation equals a longer engine life.
4. EMPTY THE WATER TANKS
Many boaters never use the on board water supply unless they are planning a long-range trip. Water weighs 8.33 pounds per gallon so why drag it around if you aren’t going to use it?
5. CHECK THE PROP
Did you know that a damaged prop can increase how much fuel is consumed by 10%? By having your props checked with specialized equipment that can determine how far out of spec your prop may or may not be.
6. CHECK TRIM TABS
It’s always a good idea to check to see if the trim tabs are in proper working order. Those tabs are going to prevent ploughing and decrease your boat’s drag. These factors will let you slice through the water at a lower RPM. Not only will it lower how much boat fuel is consumed, it will also help make the boat move smoother and quieter through the water.
7. MAKE PLANS
A well planned out day on the water means you should take into consideration the tides, the wind, and even the currents and by paying attention to these things, you can plan your trip around them so that you avoid the challenging conditions. Pay close attention to the weather forecast and tide charts so that you can plan the safest, most efficient route possible.
8. CLEAN THE HULL
When the bottom of your boat is dirty and covered in aquatic debris and build-up, it can slow you down quite a bit. By cleaning off all that gunk, you’re reducing the amount of drag your boat has while you’re slicing through the water, thus improve your gas mileage. You can prevent build up on the bottom of the boat by applying a new coat of antifouling paint.
9. GET UP ON THE PLANE QUICKLY
Those trim tabs can also help you get up on plane quicker, where most planning hulls operate more efficiently.
10. ADD A FUEL FLOW METER
A fuel-flow meter will help you determine which speeds are more economical. It can also be used to monitor your engine’s health. Increased fuel consumption can indicate previously unnoticed problems with the engine or indicate the need for a tune-up.
