Fuel consumption - real world numbers

[model 10]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

They do go four times faster than I usually motor, but they burn 120 times as much fuel doing so, now they are at least twice the size boat I am, but 120 times as much fuel?

Based on 1/2lb per hr per hp, They are using about 1700hp @120gal per hour, probably about 60% power. You are maybe only using 14 hp. at cruise.

[MV Wanderlust]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

Ran into a couple on a 65' Viking ... He said boat will go much faster but they usually cruise at 24 kts and burn 120 GPH.

Wow!

[oleman]

I once made a voyage from Sasebo Japan to San Francisco USA, the great circle route, averaged 26K for the trip. No stops for fuel because we consumed no fossil fuel. That vessel was nuclear powered.
Just a quite cruise for a great vessel.

[J Clark H356]

A64 you could be right. I have never really had a situation where I could actually tell how much the generator is using. I don't have metered electrical at my dock and when on my cruise in Fl when I was in metered power for weeks, I didn't think to actually monitor how much I used on an average day. What I am sure of is my total burn and the percentages of each engine during each fueling. I use a spreadsheet to estimate my fuel burn based on hours of each and use .25 per hour for the generator. Most of the time I am within a gallon of my actual useage, but would really like to know my real use per engine. Looked into buying some fuel meters but the cost was about $1000 for the two supply and two returns and I was able to get very close with my spreadsheet, so I just haven't ever decided to spend the money for the flow meters. I've eve thought about going over to the fuel dock, filling up and moving 100 yards and anchoring for 24 hours and then motoring back and filling up to see what I am actually burning. Maybe one day I will!