GL: Fuel Price

[D C *Mac* Macdonald]

My 1995 Carver 355 Aft Cabin with a pair of 454 cic GM
gas engines will get about 1/2 mpg at WOT while making
about 24 smph.  Obviously, one would not run the loop that
way.  According to Boating Magazine's 1992 or 1993 test
of the 33 Aft Cabin (same hull as my boat), I expect I'd get
about 1.1 - 1.2 mpg running 1000-1200 rpm (5-7 smph).
Most often, I run between 1200 and 1500 rpm.  These
engines are positively loafing in this type of service and they
are likely to have a lifespan of considerably more than 2000
hours.  I have a 6.0 liter GM V-8 in my GMC truck and it uses
no oil between changes at 1300 hours of engine time and
is running just fine.

It does appear that comparisons of Diesel vs gasoline prices
are somewhat different between marine and highway usage.
However, marina fuel prices around here reflect the same
relationship as do highway gas stations.  Currently, gasoline
price here in Oklahoma City runs from $2.499 up to as much
as $2.999 per gallon.  Diesel is running from $2.999 upwards.
I choose the vehicle to drive based upon fuel cost per mile.
Right now, my big Ford F250 Diesel is sits in the driveway
while I drive the GMC to work.

Best regards,

D C "Mac" Macdonald
Oklahoma City, OK
m/v Another Adventure
           on
Grand Lake - Oklahoma



----Original Message Follows----
From: John & Judy Gill <twojscom@quadnet.net>
To: great-loop@lists.samurai.com
Subject: GL:  Fuel Price
Date: Mon, 28 Aug 2006 14:01:21 -0400

Skipper Bob has it correct as usual.  If you are only going to do the
Great Loop once and do not plan to make long range cruising your
lifestyle then the added cost of a diesel powered boat may not be
economical.  Using Skipper Bob's 6,000 mile Great Loop (ours was
6,724 going the Lake Champlain route) then at a fuel savings of
$13.000 (based on 6,000 miles and today's fuel prices) with diesel
engines versus gasoline, it would take 7-1/2 to 8 years of annual
cruising of 6,000 miles to amortize the $100,000 in added cost for a
comparable boat with diesel engine(s) and generator.

We split our Great Loop trip up into three boating seasons to spread
the cost over three years.  We went slow and averaged only 41 miles
per day and our average cruising speed was only 8.79 statute miles
per hour at 11.4 gallons per engine hour.

Our point is that if you slow down and smell the roses, you can
effect about 20 percent fuel savings versus going fast (17 knots) and
burning 40 gallons of gasoline per hour.

John Gill
AGLCA Looper