Tips to reduce your boat's fuel use and lower the trips made to the fueling dock. Reducing fuel waste is an important part of clean boating and saves money
There are many ways to reduce your boat's fuel use, saving you both money and reducing the environmental effects of boating. Reducing fuel consumption is a hallmark of clean boating and helps preserve pristine boating experiences for future boaters. Money saved on reducing your fuel bill can better be spent on making your next adventure.
- Take a tip from sailors, plan trips so you can run with the prevailing wind and tide. Preplanning trips also saves fuel by familiarizing you with the intended route and gives you the information needed to file a float plan
- Consider the purchase of a new 4-stroke outboard motor. New 4-stroke technology provides a 25 percent savings in fuel use and reduces the discharge of raw 2-stroke oil onto the water
- Investigate the use of a V-drive when purchasing a new boat. V-drives are more efficient and are now available for small vessels
- Slow your boat down. At wide open throttle (WOT), fuel use can be 50 percent higher than mid-range settings
- Reduce the weight. Boats get heavier throughout the season. Heavier boats require the use of greater horsepower and fuel at any operating speed
- Carry only the fuel and water needed for your trip. Both are heavy and require extra effort to move through the water. Always use the rule of thirds for fuel planning. Out of the total fuel required for a trip, one third should be used to get there, one third is for the return trip, and one third is held as a reserve
- Keep up on required vessel maintenance and have your engine tuned annually. Poor timing, fouled spark plugs, dirty air filters and clogged fuel injectors will increase fuel consumption
- Keep the bottom clean. Weeds and barnacles will reduce boat performance and increase fuel use. Haul out regularly and use a good bottom paint or wax the hull
- Invest in trim tabs and use them. Trim tabs reduce drag and help boats get on plane quicker
- Reduce idling time while at the dock or on the hook
- Use shore power when available to reduce generator fuel use
- Discuss your power needs and propeller choices with a qualified marine mechanic. Being under powered or using the wrong size prop will waste fuel
- Install good fuel filters and use the proper grade of fuel recommended by your engine's manufacturer
Try a few of these tips. Most aren't inconvenient to implement. The improvements they make to your bottom line and the environment can be substantial.
The copyright of the article Reduce Boat Fuel Waste in Green/Clean Boating is owned by Alan Sorum. Permission to republish Reduce Boat Fuel Waste in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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