Bayliner command bridge motor cruiser 27'

[janeyrose]

We are hovering on the edge of buying our first power boat....always been sailor/cruisers up until recent ill-health. Boat has 260 HP Volvo 5.7 GXI engine. Has anyone any idea what this would cost to run/hour at cruising speed? We can't seem to find the answer on google.
Cheers Andy and Jane from UK.

[chrisjs]

I used to have (first power cruiser) a 23ft Bayliner with a similar Volvo engine. As I recall it used about 8-10 gallons (US) / hour at reasonable speeds. Obviously if you thrash it your consumption will go up. I believe the most economical speed is to have the boat just on the plane so that it is running about 20-25mph. Back then gas was much less expensive. I guess you are looking at about 5 pounds/US gallon, so about 40-50 GBP/hour.

[janeyrose]

Hi Chrisjs,
thanks for your reply. We've been doing a bit of research and our figures tie up with yours.
Scary money but we are hoping to offset cheaper mooring fees against the fuel price. Serious thinking needed!

[chrisjs]

Our Bayliner was the family cruiser for a number of years. Predated GPS!!
It had a queen size berth under the cockpit, a V-berth, a portapotty and an alcohol stove. It all worked pretty well. My recollection is that the boat was better planing than going slow. We used to anchor out quite often. Good luck!!

[beachbum29]

Originally Posted by chrisjs

Our Bayliner was the family cruiser for a number of years. Predated GPS!!
It had a queen size berth under the cockpit, a V-berth, a portapotty and an alcohol stove. It all worked pretty well. My recollection is that the boat was better planing than going slow. We used to anchor out quite often. Good luck!!

Just traded a 25 Regal, single screw, 5.0 EFI.

Had the queen under the cockpit, full head with shower, electric stove.

All single screw outdrives are a pain at slow speed. They do what I call, " the worm". Constantly pulling. Great up on plane at 25-35 mph.

[janeyrose]

Thanks guys, we have a double port side berth, a v shaped berth fore and heads to starboard. Being 'scared ex-sailors' we are baulking at the high price of running our engine. Sorry to sound so pathetic but is it cheaper to just potter about .....7-10 knot or is it cheaper to plane and cruise at 16-20knots. Bear in mind that 6 knots is fast for us sailors. We just want to keep on the water without breaking the bank!!!

[beachbum29]

Then you need a single screw trawler. Small HP diesel.

[janeyrose]

Hi beachbum 29, 'the worm' sounds painful!!!!

[janeyrose]

She's a single screw petrol engine, 260 HP. Is that bad news?

[beachbum29]

Originally Posted by janeyrose

She's a single screw petrol engine, 260 HP. Is that bad news?

Onboard or I/O?

[ranger58sb]

Single screw can be good; single gas (petrol) can be OK; inboard, I/O, outboard can all work...

But in general, the hull shape on that particular boat is likely more comfortable at planning speeds, may or may not be comfortable at hull speed depending on sea states... and without a keel, it might not track all that well at hull speeds either. (That "worming" thing, I bet.)

A single-screw diesel (inboard or I/O) would usually cost more to buy but will usually be less expensive to run. A hull with a keel will usually track better at slow speeds.

But it's all very relative... and as usual, YMMV.

You can sometimes find engine manufacturer's performance curves (including fuel consumption at various RPMs) on their websites.

-Chris

[janeyrose]

Thanks Chris, we need to do a lot more research obviously. mega grateful for your time and advice. What's YMMV ?
cheers jane

[ranger58sb]

Originally Posted by janeyrose

Thanks Chris, we need to do a lot more research obviously. mega grateful for your time and advice. What's YMMV ?
cheers jane

Your Mileage May Vary

-Chris

[janeyrose]

Sorry, English speak.....it's an inboard engine and we're thinking of getting a 'rescue' outboard for emergencies.

[River Cruiser]

A couple doing the loop in a Bayliner 2556 were averaging 2.6 mph. Good luck