How much fuel is used each year

[Charlie]

Hi Gideon:

I won't try to second guess your intentions but to come up with a figure for how much fuel I use in a season is difficult. Last year I filled my tanks once. that was around 65 gallons US. Coming down the coast from Oregon to SF I filled both tanks at the start. I had not been able to clean one of the tanks so was forced to only rely on one tank. Because of this I had to fill up in the middle of the passage b/c there was no wind. So for that passage we used two tanks plus 4 - 5 gallon jerry cans. This was b/c there was no wind. Now I motor out for 10 minutes and then hoist the sails so I don't think I've used more than 2 gallons since April. If the wind is there I use my sails.

[Spammy]

To all,
I think the idea of fuel savings with an electric propulsion boat is a valid and interesting discussion point. I do think that the question could be asked differently, however. First, we must assume that this refers to sailboats only. Second, we must consider that individuals use their boats very differently. Someone who daysails out of a marina with daily connection to shore power will have a very different answer for this poll when compared to someone cruising and not using shore power. I suggest that the poll be revised as follows: For it to give a real representation of fuel savings for a theoretical boat, it should include boats only cruising away from marinas and shore power, and contain a factor for miles cruised. Boats which are cruising must use electricity for a variety of devices, and (most, on average) must have propulsion engines. Power may be generated either by diesel engines or by other means, such as solar and wind. So, why not ask for diesel consumption while cruising away from marinas on a per-distance basis (say, per thousand miles) averaged over one year (or more)? This still cannot get to the answer for diesel only versus various combinations of diesel and other forms of power generation, but it might help give a general (if a bit vague) idea of the cost of diesel propulsion. Then, of course, cruisers must compare the initial (as well as maintenance) cost of a boat system with diesel propulsion versus the cost of one with electrical propulsion only.
Raw fuel usage per year only is bound to lead to misconceptions, as we are dealing with "apples versus oranges" comparisons.
Rocky

[Unicorn Dreams]

Of course he's referring to sailboats, that's why he posted at a sailboat thread and not powerboat thread.

As for our fuel consumption, I answered the poll at 36' mono under 100 gallons. Our circumnavigation was a little over 33400 miles and we used under 250 gallons of fuel, if not for a big stretch of the doldrums, we would have been under 200 gallons of fuel for the trip, motored for 4 straight days and used a little over 50 gallons. 62 months, 250 gallons of fuel. Our 20 year old engine has less than 1700 hours on it, that's why we have a sailboat. Just figured 33400 miles/250 gallons=133.6 MPG..Wish my car could do that.......

[cats..paw]

It looks like trimarans are orphaned out of this poll, but for the record:

Searunner 31
Tohatsu 9.8 hp 4 stroke
speed under power: 6 knots, burning .6 gph (at 2/3 throttle and chop under 2')
annual fuel burn: 5 to 15 gallons gasoline (it's nice to sail a sailboat)

[fastcat435]

Originally Posted by cats..paw

It looks like trimarans are orphaned out of this poll, but for the record:

Searunner 31
Tohatsu 9.8 hp 4 stroke
speed under power: 6 knots, burning .6 gph (at 2/3 throttle and chop under 2')
annual fuel burn: 5 to 15 gallons gasoline (it's nice to sail a sailboat)

I am sorry it should have read multihulls

Greetings

[cats..paw]

No problem.

I do understand your focus. Good luck with the design and build of Fastcat.

Cheers.