Fuel Level

[Stella Maris]

We have all heard that you should never set off without enough fuel....... let me tell you what happened to us this weekend. It all started about two months ago when we took on a dirty load of fuel from one of our local fuel stations. We normally run at 1800 to 2200 rpm but with this load we wanted to burn it up ASAP so we ran at 2800 to WOT as often as possible.

This past weekend we took off from the marina with just short of a quarter tank of fuel. We ran 22 miles out to the other side of the lake. Once we arrived on the other side of the lake, it quickly became apparent that we would be very close on the fuel to get home. We hailed the local marina that normally stocks diesel and what do you know..... they are out of fuel this weekend.

What do you do in such a situation???? You motor home at 1000 RPM's or 5.5 MPH for 22 miles..... We made it back to the marina. On the way home we stopped and filled the tank, 74.11 gallons! When your fuel gauge says empty.... believe me, it is empty! The good news, we burned the tank of dirty fuel down to nothing! The almost not so good news, we barely made it in on our own!

The moral to the story..... don't leave home without enough fuel.......

 

[CaptMac]

Geez....

You really wanted to learn how to bleed the air out of of your engine, huh?

 

[Stella Maris]

You know, that was my biggest concern.... I knew I could get a tow in if I had to..... (that would be embarassing though) but the thought of bleeding the engine, that was another thing!

I will tell you, when it says empty...... it means empty!

 

[Higs]

My sailboat only carry's 22 gallons, and on a trip to Temple Bar with no wind (8 hours or motoring each way) I learned keeping a five gallon jerry can will save the day.

 

[Stella Maris]

Jeremy,
Although Mead is a big lake, carrying an additional five gallons of fuel should not the concern on Solitude. With a range of 750 miles while cruising at 1800 rpm's, getting to Temple Bar and back should be no concern. Unless of course, you leave Calville with too little fuel to start with....... But hey, what an exciting cruise back..... I just kept saying to myself, only need one more gallon of fuel..... only need one more gallon of fuel..... only need one more gallon of fuel. It worked for Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz.

We made it back, and now we know, when the gauge say's empty...... it means empty!

And where were you on Sunday? I figured I would hail you on the radio for a tow back if I needed one!

See you on the lake!

 

[Higs]

I wasn't, but i'm only 15 minutes from the lake if you ever need a tow. Glad you made it back!