With fuel prices at such high rates, running your boat more efficiently can cut costs. Saving fuel is better for your boat and for the environment. Becoming a member of Boat US will save you 10 cents per gallon if you fill up at one of their 750 cooperating marinas. Check the bottom of your boat hull. Make sure it is clean and free of barnacles. Wax the bottom if possible. Growth creates drag. Check your propeller. Keep blades clean and in good condition. Also adjust diameter and pitch for the level of activity you use most. Dump extra weight. Now is the time to lighten the boat. The lighter the boat, the less horsepower needed to propel it. Remember that water weighs more than 62 pounds per cubic foot, so keep your bilge dry. That also applies to water in your freshwater tanks — don’t take more than you need. The same is true of fuel. Carry only what you need, with a healthy safety margin, of course. You can plan the minimum amount of fuel you will need by following the 1/3, 1/3, 1/3 rule — 1/3 going, 1/3 returning, and 1/3 for unexpected fuel needs. Slow down! A wide-open throttle can increase fuel consumption by 50 percent or more over midrange speeds. A plaining speed of 3,000 RPMs equates to about 25 mph, which is the maximum speed throughout most of this area. Cruising at 4,000/4,200 RPMs will increase your mph, but your fuel management will fall off drastically. The trip from Edison Bridge to Fort Myers Beach is about 1 1/2 hours running time at the posted limits — 25 mph or slow minimum wake, until you bear south off the Intracoastal Waterway where you can go at any reasonable speed. An additional 10 to 15 minutes running time for this trip could save several gallons of fuel and your passengers will enjoy this extra time aboard. Get a tune-up. Proper ignition timing and clean spark plugs will give you extra miles per gallon. Inspect your carburetor for proper float level, correct jetting, and smooth choke operation. However today’s engines are all computerized. This is a great improvement. Don’t idle your engine needlessly. When you stop, turn off your engine. Check the weather. Brisk winds and heavy chop can quickly drain your fuel tank. Check the tides. Boating against the tide uses more fuel. Make the tides work to your advantage. If you’re a fisherman, consider adding a small outboard motor for trolling. You can shut down your main engine and the smaller power engine will be more economical to operate at low speeds, plus it provides get-home power in emergencies. Take Cape Coral’s Sail and Power Squadron’s “American Boating Course.” The Squadron is at 917 S.E. 47th Terrace. Call 540-9754, Monday through Saturday 9 am-noon. Captain Wayne and Joan Church
Posted on: Mon, 15 Jul 2013 11:17:59 +0000
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