100 Hour Report - Fuel Economy Generating Big Smiles

[dloop]

We've already put over 100 hours on our 2010 21ec. The fuel economy and how it handles in adverse conditions have really exceeded our expectations. I'm still amazed that we can spend an entire day fishing out in puget sound, running the engine most of the time, and only use ~$8 of diesel.

My fishing still sucks. I'm pretty sure that Andrew and Jeff promised I would be catching more salmon with a Ranger Tug. I'll have a few words for them about this. 🙂

 

[commander bill]

I have not owned a R21 but based on the fuel usage in my R25 (2 years & about 200 hrs) I would expect someone to have to drain fuel from a R21 tank on a routine basis to keep it from overflowing.

 

[johnniethek]

I bought the Red Ranger, an R-21 EC, last June and already have about 80 hours on her. I took her from Point Deception on Whidbey Island to the San Juans, where I spent a week touring among the islands. I had a full tank (18 gallons) when I left and burned only 12 gallons during the entire week in the islands.

I love the fuel economy of this boat, and plan to spend beaucoup hours in her this upcoming summer. I'll be doing the San Juans again but also heading north into B.C. for an extended trip.

JtheK

 

[rt11002003]

With 90 hours on Tuglet since late May, I've averaged 0.67 gallons per hour. I cruise at 2800 to 2900 rpm most of the time, run it at max, 3300 rpm under load, at least 5 minutes per hour. And always do the carbon blowout thing just before docking, 4050 rpm.

I'm still waiting for it to produce its own fuel. 😀 I thought Marc Grove promised that. 😉 I'll have to ask him about that at the Altanta Boat Show next week.

Gene

 

[Texas Steve]

I'm still waiting for it to produce its own fuel. 😀 I thought Marc Grove promised that. 😉 I'll have to ask him about that at the Altanta Boat Show next week.

Gene[/quote]

I guess Marc forgot to install the optional fuel replicator on Tuglet. I'd be sure and ask him about it if I were you!

Steve

 

[dloop]

With 90 hours on Tuglet since late May, I've averaged 0.67 gallons per hour. I cruise at 2800 to 2900 rpm most of the time, run it at max, 3300 rpm under load, at least 5 minutes per hour. And always do the carbon blowout thing just before docking, 4050 rpm.

Gene, shortly before docking I have been running at high rpm but it has always been while under load. On my boat this is about 3700 rpm. But I haven't been doing it at the even higher rpm in neutral like you suggested. Is that a better way to blowout the carbon? And of course I understand it would have the added benefit of allowing me to do it right at the dock 🙂

 

[wefings]

I told you guys you have to SPECIAL ORDER the co generating mobius fuel replication tank filler/fuel level equalization option .
Regrettably, its not retrofittable.
Marc

 

[rt11002003]

thank you, Marc!!!!!! :lol:

gene

 

[rt11002003]

dloop,

That procedure of running up to max rpm without load is recommended in the Yanmar owners manual.

If you keep your tug under cover, as I do, I don't recommend running up to max rpm in the slip. Your neighbors might not care for the noise. 🙁

Gene

 

[Texas Steve]

Marc:

I guess I'll just have to take the new 29, then. It comes standard on that one, doesn't it?

I'm still scheming for a way to swing that 29, but there are a few complications I have to work out.

Steve

 

[rt11002003]

dloop,

I just noticed you mentioned 3700 rpm max under load. You're the first one (R-21 EC owner) I've seen say they got that many rpm with their Yanmar in their R-21 EC. We had a thread going several months ago on that subject and most of us were running around 3300 rpm, max, which is less than Yanmar recommends. I was concerned, but Andrew and Jeff both said it was OK. I believe it was Jeff who offered to replace my prop with a prop with whatever pitch I desired.

What speed are you getting at 3700 rpm?

Gene

 

[dloop]

Gene,

I should probably know what my boat speed is at 3700 rpm's but I don't. I'll be out again this weekend so I will check. I am positive I get at least 3700 (maybe even 3750) however because I was testing this after the 50-hour service due to some other questions I had for Andrew.

I've also been wondering for a few weeks now if maybe I have a different pitch prop than some others do, especially when I see references to folks cruising around at 7 to 8.5 kts. Seems like all my cruising is in the 5.5 to 6+ range at 2400 - 2800 kts.

I only really get to the 7.5 to 8 range (over ground) when the current is in my favor.

I'll see what I can come up with this weekend Gene.

dave

 

[wefings]

Steve, we will be in Atlanta with YOUR boat . Is that OK ?
Marc

 

[tor2ga2]

When will it ever stop? When I had my R21 serviced by Marc he sold me a Hyper Cetane Diflagilating Octo Filter that he promised would end forever my need to stop at fuel docks. Now I need a Mobius Tank Filter? If I'd only known. Just a few months earlier my mailbox was full of tips from Madoff Investments touting the new Mobius Filter and I ignored them.. Marc, where were you when I needed your council?



Terry
TORTUGATOO
'04 R21 Classic

 

[dloop]

Gene,

I now see in the manual the instructions about running the engine up to max RPM 5 times prior to the 5-minute cool down. Thanks for the heads up on this.

I took my 21EC out today with my daughter and gathered the information you asked about. I did my best to minimize the influence of wind, tide and waves.

Max RPM no load: 4000.
Max RPM under load: 3800, SOG: 9.1 Kts
Comfortable RPM 2600: SOG: 6.3 Kts.

Dave

 

[rt11002003]

Dave,

Thanks for the response. Those figures are interesting. Your max speed of 9.1 is about the same as mine; 9.0-9.2 knots. But, my rpm is 3300 compared to your 3800. And my speed in the 2600 rpm range is very similar.

I'm going to have to go and scratch my head and ponder this for awhile. :?

Gene