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Boat Green: 10 Tips to Make Boating Less Fuelish
By William Hempel
With boating season upon us and prices at the pumps soaring CIBC Chief Economist Jeff Rubin says Canadians can expect to pay an average of $1.40 a litre this summer here are 10 tips to help increase your fuel economy, save a few dollars, and maybe increase the time you can afford to be on the water.
1. If you keep the boat on a lift, make certain your hull is clean and well waxed. If you keep your boat in the water, be sure to maintain a good coat of bottom paint. A slippery boat has less drag.
2. Proper size, pitch and number of propeller blades are important. Select the optimal combination for your boat. Sacrificing a little top end speed can give you a 10% increase in fuel economy.
3. Nicks, dings or bends in a propeller can increase fuel consumption by up to 15%. Check your prop regularly.
4. Clean your carburetor, injectors and flame arrestor to maximize air-fuel blend and optimal performance. Commercial gasoline additives are fine to clean your fuel systems and be sure to use a non-flammable cleaner on the flame arrestor.
5. Remove all unnecessary weight to minimize the amount of hull being pushed through the water. Every pound of weight creates the need for one more pound of displacement.
6. Trim your tabs, outboards and stern drives to keep your bow up and out of the water to minimize drag.
7. Whenever conditions allow, keep the boat up on plane. (Be certain to adhere to all speed and wildlife control zones).
8. Conduct some control runs and create an RPM vs. fuel consumption curve. This will help you pick your optimum cruising speed.
9. Pick your boating days with care. Rough seas and headwinds can decrease your fuel economy by over 25%.
10. Lastly, but most importantly; tell your friends the days of the free boat trips are over. Given the rising price of petrol, it isnt unreasonable to tell guests up front the approximate cost of the days gas bill and that, we will be splitting the cost amongst us.
Bill Hempel is a member of the National Marketing and Public Relations Committee of the U.S. Power Squadrons.
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