With summer heating up, the dilemma turns once again to rising fuel prices. But don’t let those keep you on shore this summer. There are always ways to try and maximize fuel efficiency so we received some tips from Boat U.S. and our marine expert and columnist, Steve D’Antonio, to try and get you out on the water as much as possible.
- Tune your boat engine. A tuned engine runs better and has fewer emissions. But fouled spark plugs, carbon deposits, and gummed-up carburetors can prove a real detriment to efficiency.
- Keep the bottom clean and barnacle free. A barnacle-covered bottom has more drag, making your boat work harder than it should.
- Experiment with different props to find the right propeller for your engine. There’s only one way to measure this—at wide open throttle the engine should achieve its full manufacturer-rated rpm. Also check for any damage. Even a slight ding on a prop can negatively affect performance.
- Keep bilges dry and top off water tanks only when necessary. Water is heavy but the lighter your boat the better gas mileage it will get.
- Remove unnecessary gear and anything that will create drag. Clear decks of clutter and lower canvas tops (drag).
- Balance your load and allow the boat to plane quickly. Consider moving passengers and/or gear forward when accelerating. Most boats do not get the best mileage at full speed so try to accelerate quickly and once you get to planing, throttle back slightly to find that sweet spot where your boat rides smooth and level.
- Avoid excess engine idling. It consumes fuel, it is annoying to those around you, and it can produce noxious fumes.
- Use the proper fuel-to-oil ratio in your engine. Too little or too much oil can harm your engine and reduce fuel efficiency.
- On larger vessels, install a fuel flow meter. These devices now allow you to see real-time fuel efficiency in gallons per hour which can help you determine the ideal settings for maximum efficiency.
- Purchase a low-emission, fuel-efficient engine. (But if you can’t afford to buy a new boat/engine—consult the list above.)