GL: Hyper Mileing

[M S]

       Item 1: gph: Since this has been a discussion of being more fuel effient, gph doesn't take into account how far you are traveling per hour, so it doesn't tell you how efficent you are being with a current. With no current there is a direct correlation with mpg but that can get you into trouble if you don't realize the current is there. 
   
  Example: At a particular throttle setting you are buring 1 gph and making 5 mph thru the watter. You have 20 miles to a safe port and 5 gallons left. Do you have enough fuel? If there is no current, you have a range of 25 miles, you should make it with a gallon to spare. Same senario fighting a 3 mph current. Since you are now only making 2 mph over ground, you will come up 10 miles short (and possibly run out after dark). Gph doesn't provide useful info until you account for speed, which is what  mpg gives you. 
   
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  Another monkey wrench please, what would be the outcome if one were to figure gph rather than mpg? I never relate to mpg on the water even when the charts indicate such. For fuel consumption I find gph much safer.
   
         Item 2: Huck Finn had a boat with infinite efficency (not exactly but close enough for our purposes). Zero gph. If you run the math, it is always more effient to slow down going with the current. The practicle limit is enough headway to maintian control.  There might be a slight downtic in fuel efficency right around idle as internal engine friction becomes greater than the effort to turn the prop, but it should be pretty minimal.
   
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  quander this.,... If  you are going down current, are you better to go at a higher speed? 
   
  See you on the Waterways!

Capt. Sterling
   
  Mike & Tammy
  Valhalla II