Jesperjo
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 6, 2024
- Messages
- 138
- Fluid Motion Model
- R-43 S
- Vessel Name
- Out of Office
This weekend during our first real trip with our new R-43 S, we decided to do some fuel economy testing. I posted a little calculator in case anyone wants to play with the data.
These 2026 boats have the slightly larger Volvo Penta D6 IPS 500s so they perform slightly differently from the older boats. The older performance data sheet for the IPS 450s had a number of math errors in it, but Ranger Tugs just updated the performance data on the site to reflect the IPS 500. Their numbers correspond reasonably well to what we saw this weekend. I suspect their testing was done on a boat that was not bottom painted yet, because the speeds were consistently a little faster than what we saw at each RPM. Alternatively, the currents may have been going in the other direction. I think our currents were around 0 to perhaps 0.5 knots against us this weekend.
The net take-away seems to be that if you like going slow, you can get really far, and at a fast cruise, you may as well run at 26 knots, as you get practically the same fuel economy as at 12 knots.
These 2026 boats have the slightly larger Volvo Penta D6 IPS 500s so they perform slightly differently from the older boats. The older performance data sheet for the IPS 450s had a number of math errors in it, but Ranger Tugs just updated the performance data on the site to reflect the IPS 500. Their numbers correspond reasonably well to what we saw this weekend. I suspect their testing was done on a boat that was not bottom painted yet, because the speeds were consistently a little faster than what we saw at each RPM. Alternatively, the currents may have been going in the other direction. I think our currents were around 0 to perhaps 0.5 knots against us this weekend.
The net take-away seems to be that if you like going slow, you can get really far, and at a fast cruise, you may as well run at 26 knots, as you get practically the same fuel economy as at 12 knots.