GL: What's the Difference?

[D C *Mac* Macdonald]

Greetings, Greg.

I don't have fuel consumption figures for the Mariner.
The following were published in a "Boating" magazine
test of the Voyager 28 that I had.  Power for the test
(and my boat) was twin 305 cid 220 hp Crusader V-8.
My boat would max out around 28 mph.

*  RPM SMPH  GPH SMPG RNG
* 1000  5.9  1.8 3.25 381
* 1500  7.8  3.0 2.60 305
* 2000  8.9  8.6 1.03 121
* 2500 13.0 12.8 1.02 119
* 3000 20.7 16.8 1.23 145
* 3500 26.5 20.8 1.27 150
* 4000 30.8 31.4  .98 115
* 4300 32.9 38.4  .86 101

Their tests for a 1991 33 Aft Cabin (1991-1994 and
the forerunner of my 1995 355 Aft Cabin) were as
follows. Power was twin 454 cid 330 hp Crusaders.

*  RPM SMPH  GPH SMPG RNG
* 1500  6.0  6.0 1.00 194
* 2000 10.0 10.0 1.00 194
* 2500 14.5 16.0  .91 177
* 3000 20.0 27.0  .74 144
* 3500 25.0 37.0  .68 131
* 4000 28.5 45.0  .63 124
* 4400 32.0 53.0  .60 118

My current 355 Aft Cabin is a bigger and heavier boat
and probably won't do as well as above.  I know mine
doesn't get above about 27 mph by GPS.

You could reasonably anticipate a bit better mileage
than that for the 33 Aft Cabin as the Mariners were
lighter by several thousand pounds and about a foot
narrower in beam.

I wouldn't really worry about the added fuel consumption.
As long as you are doing basic loop speeds (10 mph max
on Erie Canal), your fuel consumption won't be that bad.
You can certainly buy a lot of gasoline for the many extra
thousands of dollars of added cost for Diesel propulsion.

Additionally, gas engines are not terribly bothered by long
hours of low rpm running, but Diesels are horseflesh of a
different flavor.  They are reportedly most happy running
around 85-90% of full throttle.  They are  NOT  happy
when run fo long hours at low rpm and will demand extra
maintenance (already much more costly than gas engines)
and their supposed long life will be shortened greatly.

I have already seen at least one other reply to your query
regarding options other than this one.

Good luck and be careful in your decision.  Make sure that
whatever you decide upon fits you and successfully passes
a  RIGOROUS  marine survey by a  QUALIFIED/CERTIFID marine
surveyor.


Mac



----Original Message Follows----
From: GHNutley@aol.com
To: k2gkk@hotmail.com
Subject: Re: GL: What's the Difference?
Date: Wed, 11 Oct 2006 19:33:30 EDT

Thanks for your quick response.  I have considered gas engines.   However,
wouldn't the cost of fuel shoot a pretty big hole in my annual budget  of
$30,000?  I have seriously considered a 32'/33' Carver Mariner of the  1985 
- 1995
vintage.  From your experience what would the fuel consumption  be like,
assuming I kept it at or under 10 knots most of the time?
Thanks for your response and input.

Greg