C30 S vs C32 S

[LightBarn]

Comparing these two boats from the numbers, also included the R31 and Axopar 37 XC and C100 as they are about the same length/width - and the axopar is a double stepped hull like the C32/302
Fuel cost $2.90/$3.90 Gas/Diesel based on EBMs current prices.

Sources for Data
C302 Yamaha NMPG
R31 CB power and Motor Yacht

Axopar 37 XC from Boat Test

Insights I see:

• Aspen gets great mileage, but worry how it will fare when loaded a bit more - interior space is not segmented as well these are factory numbers and don't take into account a full "expedition" tank.
• According to these numbers, the C30 is more efficient than the R31 - which is surprising given motors - this may also be due to who tested what in what conditions
• Interestingly the Axopar seems to be more efficient than the C32, maybe the Mercury 350s are more efficient?
• Once getting faster, ranges are pretty comparable due to tank size

Questions I still have:

• How useful is 30+ Knots in Puget Sound? We've not had boats in the past capable of that speed. Boat will be part cruiser and part island runabout. For a run to the mainland I could see the speed being nice -- just worry about all the stuff we have floating around.
• For cruising slow, has anyone done 6-8 knots on the C32 with one engine shut down for cruising? Any gains to MPG?
• For those with the C30 or R31, how much do you spend going slow vs putting the hammer down?
• Thoughts on maintenance in the Diesel, inboard singles vs the gas dual outboards?
  
  I realize fuel is just one cost, but it will determine how often or far we take the boat!

 

[Dubs]

I run an R31S. For the ultimate trip I match the tide schedule to run economically at 1800-2100 RPM to make 9-12 knots, which takes us from Central Sound to Cattle Pass in 4.5 hours. Once in the Islands we go at a leisurely 7-8 knots, a safe pace. Often in the way home I push the D4 harder to make 14-16 knots. The whole trip will register an average of 1.75 NMPG. I feel this plan works well for the R31. Now I can see pros and cons of jumping into a 30 mph boat. One could zip up to San Juan in under 2 hours. You would really have to focus to run that fast with the floating debris out there. Some well renowned boats can do that 30 knot speed and get the same fuel economy as our Tug going 14 knots. There is always a trade off. The cruising comforts of a Tug are far better than those on a comparable size express cruiser.

 

[Cutwater28GG]

From a speed standpoint at 18-20 knots in a c28 you have to pay attention to debris. I really don’t think the incremental speed to 30knots makes this more difficult. If anything because you reach your destination sooner you have to concentrate for a shorter period of time.

I personally would appreciate the extra 10 knot cruise.

Compared With the capital outlay i personally don’t really think fuel is a factor for a 50-100 hour season of use.
We do a number of direct trips from ebm to San Juan’s or anacortes a year and trips would be significantly shorter. It would make single overnights to Roche more practical.

 

[S@LTD]

Spent the entire summer cruising the San Juan’s and South Sound in our C28. As mentioned speed is not really a factor as 14-18 it’s will pretty much get you where you want in a reasonable amount of time with some planning. That said my cousin chartered a C302 with twin Suzuki 300s which I got to play with for a week. Coming from my previous Twin 350 bravo drives it felt like home. While there is debris in the PNW it has never been a stressor for us as 25 it cruise speed is comfortable. With the c302 we left Fisherman’s bay about noon, buzzed out cattle pass, stopped by Watnough bay, ran through deception pass, did a 45 min hike, and came back to Fisherman’s around the North end around 4:30 PM without breaking a sweat. This was also with four adults and two dogs on board. If we did not trailer as much as we do (and if it fit in my boat shed) we would strongly consider what is now the C32.

From my view once you decide to drop a minimum of a couple hundred grand on one of these boats there are so many other things that mount up to more than the difference in fuel cost on an annual basis. As such, just I tend to focus more on range.

 

[LightBarn]

Using an example 15 NM run to the mainland, not counting getting ready/docking time:

So trawler speeds 2 hours and $15 in the C30 - $40 in the C32

at 20 it'd be 45 minutes and $28 in the C30 - $50 in the C32

at 30 it'd be 30 minutes and $53 in the C32

at 40 it'd be 22 minutes and $65 in the C32, but $41 in the Axopar.


Keep in mind Ferry is still a short boat ride/drive away and costs $22 (average of round trip) and an hour, not to include line waiting or missing the ferry. It's startling at 40KTS that the Axopar 37 gets 1.4 NMPG and the C32 only gets .9 despite being fairly similar weight, double stepped hull, and width.

 

[LightBarn]

Spent the entire summer cruising the San Juan’s and South Sound in our C28. As mentioned speed is not really a factor as 14-18 it’s will pretty much get you where you want in a reasonable amount of time with some planning. That said my cousin chartered a C302 with twin Suzuki 300s which I got to play with for a week. Coming from my previous Twin 350 bravo drives it felt like home. While there is debris in the PNW it has never been a stressor for us as 25 it cruise speed is comfortable. With the c302 we left Fisherman’s bay about noon, buzzed out cattle pass, stopped by Watnough bay, ran through deception pass, did a 45 min hike, and came back to Fisherman’s around the North end around 4:30 PM without breaking a sweat. This was also with four adults and two dogs on board. If we did not trailer as much as we do (and if it fit in my boat shed) we would strongly consider what is now the C32.

From my view once you decide to drop a minimum of a couple hundred grand on one of these boats there are so many other things that mount up to more than the difference in fuel cost on an annual basis. As such, just I tend to focus more on range.

We're likely to run a few more hours than average between runabout usage and just spending a lot of time traveling. Fuel and maintenance will drive how many hours over average I can get away with though, hence some of the considerations. Between the R31/C30/C32 it'd be a little different if the C32 didn't come with the largest tank of the bunch. As such, at speed it's even or better range than the inboard diesels, but the inboard Diesels can extend much further if you are willing to tide surf at 6-7 kts. We're thinking a charter of the 302 at AYC might be in order.

We have a 3500 Diesel truck for towing, so we'd be able to tow just about any of the things that are 11' or less in beam in WA. That'd probably be the most significant savings between some of these vs paying for dives and haul outs on some of the wider 35'+ boats.