Fuel prices - effecting your cruising season plans?

Cutwater28GG

Cutwater28GG

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 14, 2016
Messages
2,010
Location
seattle
Fluid Motion Model
C-28
Non-Fluid Motion Model
Cutwater 28
Vessel Name
Living The Dream
hows everyone thinking about $7 diesel / gas this summer?
 
C

Post in thread 'Time to slow things down?'

When I embark on my next loop section cruise, I will slow down for certain. I’m already doing that in my diesel tow vehicle. It is not my daily driver. I drive to our small farm 250 miles southwest of here (my wife’s childhood homeplace) and tow the boat with it. Diesel is 65% higher than this time last year. I keep records. And I know how to figure percentages!
  • Props
 
As I mentioned in an earlier post, “ Time to slow things down.” I see a lot of 6-8 knots cruising this summer. Going fast is very expensive!
 
Fuel costs for us are not something we worry about when cruising. Life is too short to worry about such things, especially considering the other boat ownership costs. My theory has always been that if you have to worry about fuel costs you might have purchased too much boat for your budget. If they become an issue, I might spend more time with the Tug in one place and paddle the kayak or the paddleboard more, which would probably be good for my health.
 
We will simply keep our boat on the mooring longer this summer and only run it back and forth for fuel or repairs. We are towing an 800# dingy behind us so going 7-8 knots while the tow is not planing does us no good, we are just pushing a bunch of water, at almost the same KMPG. So we just run at cruise, 2950 rpms.
 
We went from our 2012 R25 with a 150 hp Yanmar with a 75 gallon tank. It sipped fuel at 1.5 to 2 gallons an hour. We moved to a Cutwater C32 C with twin 300 hp Yamahas and 300 gallon tank. The thing is always thirsty. The first fuel bill on our ICW trip made me start rethinking my life choices.
 
Sailboat fuel costs the same today as it did 40 years ago...just sayin'
 
S. Todd said:
Fuel costs for us are not something we worry about when cruising. Life is too short to worry about such things, especially considering the other boat ownership costs. My theory has always been that if you have to worry about fuel costs you might have purchased too much boat for your budget. If they become an issue, I might spend more time with the Tug in one place and paddle the kayak or the paddleboard more, which would probably be good for my health.
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Agree- Fuel costs are my least consideration.
 
We're for sure doing shorter trips and we are absolutely slowing down unless we are pressed for time.
 
Not al all...I just wish they'd open salmon season, then I'd put more money in the pockets of oil companies that are currently reaping an estimated $30 million in excess profit every hour as a result of the ongoing conflict...I'm not expecting major producers to lower margins/prices anytime soon. Thankfully, I boat offshore and, in California, you can get gas tax reimbursed in that case.
 
On our way from Bellingham to Fossil Bay on Sucia. Cruising at 1950 rpm, 8.5 kts getting 2.45 mpg. Compared to fast cruise at 1.5 mpg, I’m saving about $1.80 per mile in fuel by slowing down. On the 22 miles to Sucia it’s $40. Saving $35 slow cruising to Garrison Bay tomorrow.
After spending $2 Boat Bucks on regular maintenance this month, the savings helps. At least a little bit!
 
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mik said:
Sailboat fuel costs the same today as it did 40 years ago...just sayin'
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Yes the breeze is cheap, but the racing sails to capture it are not. When I purchase Diesel can justify by knowing that I won't need a suit of $10,000 sails this year.
 
We just went from Bellingham to Pender Harbour in one day. More than 120 miles. Less than 8 hours that included a stop to fish for lingcod and topping off the tank. What saved fuel for me were absolutely calm seas. I was able to get up on plane and not fight the sea. 2 mpg cruising at 28 mph with a fully loaded boat. R-23 with 300 HP.
 
Yep, I'm thinking about it so much I’m starting to get skull cramps. I could always sit on the hook longer and have an extra gin and tonic, but that costs a bit too.

But honestly, everything is more expensive now...fuel, food, parts, labor. Just a sign of the times.

As for saving fuel, I almost always use autopilot, drive straight when I’m not, try to plan trips more efficiently, and use binoculars more instead of running all over the water chasing things.
 
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