[PUP] Unsailboat fuel consumption

[Mark Richter]

<<Perhaps in the days of increasing fuel prices, we will see more
narrow boats, but perhaps not, because of the increasing
difficulty of finding dockage and the increasing cost of
dockage.>>

Perhaps there is a market for narrow boats for those who own 
their own docks.  Dockage expense has never been a concern of
mine, since at first I cruised full time and anchored out, rarely
setting foot on a marina dock.  Two years ago, We bought a home
on the Okeechobee Waterway canal with 98' of dockage, and now
cruise half the year, using marina docks only about one day in 3
months.

At 46' long and 15' beam, Pooh isn't particularly narrow, but his
sailboat shape is sliprier than most trawler hulls at below hull
speed; and having only 80 diesel HP for 16 tons of boat allows
pretty good mileage.  We typically burn 1.3-1.4 GPH with a cruise
speed of 7-7.5 kts. (that's statute gallons and knotical knots)
We should do better on the way home now, since it's all down hill
from here.

Mark Richter, m/v Winnie the Pooh, Ortona, FL
presently at the free town dock in Mechanicville, NY