GL: Fuel Price

[Jim Fidler]

On the Loop in 2004 we measured exactly our gasoline usage and kept
complete records.  Our Floscans agreed with receipts within 3 percent.
(I never got around to calibrating the Floscans.)

Our 36 Mainship had twin Crusader 370 hp (350 cubic inch) gas engines
and our overall Loop average was 1.46 statute mpg.  We went "fast" (about 15
mph) when crossing large bodies of water but slow the rest of the time.
Much of the slow time we ran one engine at 1800 to 2000 rpm.

Using the Flowscans and an accurate fuel dipstick I was able to log each
day's mpg.  Looking back through the records I see that we typically got
1.6 to 1.8 mpg on days when we ran 7 to 8 mph all day.  With the
favorable current of the Illinois and Mississippi we usually got over 2 mpg.

Gas boats don't have to be such fuel hogs.  We used 3889 gallons.

I doubt my "new" Cat diesels and 43 foot trawler will do this well.

Jim Fidler  "Fiddlesticks"