Gas isn’t getting any cheaper, especially on the water. Here’s a few tips to get the most out of your fill up this summer.
- Install a fuel flow gauge if you haven’t already.
Not only can you find out what speed is most efficient for your vessel, but it will help you evaluate the effectiveness of these and other gas saving measures. - Tune up.
A yearly work over will keep inboards and outboards alike working at maximum efficiency, and will easily pay for itself in gas savings over the course of the year. - Lose some weight.
Too often we leave the dock with everything we ever need on the water. Try to lighten up by leaving unnecessary items, especially the heavy ones. Examples- full water tanks on a half day trip, or trolling motor (and battery) while heading out deep. - Throttle back.
Running your boat wide open uses a tremendous amount of energy. Throttling back to 80% can offer huge savings in both MPG and GPH. - Maintain that plane.
Once up on a plane, a boat will use much less gas even if only going a couple knots faster. - Plan it out.
Try to minimize miles traveled by planning the best route, or doing a little research before hand. Wondering for hours will certainly burn more gas, and may not get you more fish. - Check your prop.
Lower pitch props. may help you get out of the hole faster, but will bleed efficiency at higher speeds. Remember to check for dings, dents, and chips that will affect fuel economy and balance. - Balanced running.
While it’s a great idea to test MPG for different trim levels on your boat, it is certain that it will perform better while balanced evenly from side to side. - Drain livewells.
Out of bait or done fishing? Drain those wells before leaving to come home, at 8 lbs. per gallon the weight can add up. - Keep it’s bottom clean.
Whether it’s barnacles , or slime and grime, it’s slowing you down. And it’s costing you at the pump too.
Bonus tip:
Warm up time…. Most new engines with electronic fuel injection, etc., don’t require lengthy warm up periods. Try warming a minute to three depending on engine size and age.
One Comment
The most important gas tip for marine engines is to avoid E-10 (ethanol blended fuels) – now being sold at about 50% of public gas pumps. E10 lowers mpg from 2 to 10% (some report higher), and has many undesireable side-effects – Examples: attracts and absorbs large quantities of water into gas, ethanol/alcohol is a solvent and degreaser – will dissolve and dry-out parts (especially rubber and plastic, and some fiberglass tanks)…has a shelf life of max of 90-100 days…and numerous other negative effects. Most marine manufacturers (especially for engines prior to 1998) strongly advise against using alcohol-blended fuels; Sadly many areas now only sell E-10; and worse are the states that do not require pump labeling, so you will not know you’re buying alcohol fuels, unless you test it yourselg.