Fuel range. What is best?

[serpa4]

I've been looking at the R-29, R31, and Cutwater 30. I was looking for the maximum range, on plane (18-20kts cruise), not hull speed.
R-31: 180 gallons/320hp/11,500 lbs
C30-S: 180 gallons/435hp/10,200 lbs
R-29 S: 145 gallons/320 hp/10,500 lbs (less fuel but less hp to support)
I'm looking for trips from FL to Bahamas and don't want to cross the long distances at 7kts.

 

[Katmat]

Don't think you are going to get that kind of speed out a Ranger 29-31 with their hulls. The Cutwater may be planing hull. May what to go with a outboard.

 

[BB marine]

Based on some published data the 435 hp C30 will burn 13 gph at 20kts. 23 mph @ 13gph = 1.77 mpg this would yield 286 mile cruise range. This allows for 10% unusable fuel in the tank.

From experience I have found the Fluid Motion published numbers to be off considerably. I will say that out of all of the diesel powered boats that Fluid Motion builds the C30 is powered correctly. It actually has enough reserve power when the 435hp D6 is installed.

The real numbers will most likely be higher GPH. I would estimate 20kts is running the D6 at 70% load.This would be closer to 17 gph = 1.35 gph = 218 mile cruise range. But even with that you should be able to cruise in the C30 at 20kts and have enough fuel to get to a Bahama harbor for fuel with ease. The Rangers would have the fuel capacity but not the power to run continuously all the time at 20kts. Thats my opinion, I would not run a D4 that hard. The Rangers would be comfortable 15 kt continuous run boats. Many of them will run faster than that but if you are heading to the Bahamas I would suspect you will have some extra gear, provisions, probably a tender of some kind, full water fuel. The additional weight makes a difference with performance on single engine boats.

 

[pleeson]

The Cutwater is definitely a better high speed boat. I suspect the new outboards might even be better than the diesel with the ability to trim to maintain a more efficient planing angle. The diesels are handicapped by the driveshaft angle at speed. Time for IPS drive maybe.

 

[Kimberly Dawn]

The model left off your shopping list seems like the one that would solve your blue water navigation: the Cutwater 302. With twin 300 hp motors, you have redundancy for safety. Unquestionably, you have speed.

 

[SLyle01]

The model left off your shopping list seems like the one that would solve your blue water navigation: the Cutwater 302. With twin 300 hp motors, you have redundancy for safety. Unquestionably, you have speed.

Not to mention the incredible safety reassurance of that SECOND engine, esp. for oceanic travels.

 

[Dale777]

Take a look at my fuel/rpm/speed charts for my R31S:

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=5868&p=41893&hilit=polynomial#p41893

Best higher speed fuel mileage is at about 15 knots which is also near the recommended max extended cruise rpm.

 

[serpa4]

Thank you all. I may...start looking at the 302. My wife and I find the Ranger line more to our liking than the Cutwater. However, if the Tug cant do it, then may have to lean towards the CW line.

 

[serpa4]

Thank you all. I may...start looking at the 302. My wife and I find the Ranger line more to our liking than the Cutwater. However, if the Tug cant do it, then may have to lean towards the CW line.

Unfortunately research says the 302 are at best .9mpg. So the range is not any better than the C30 diesel at 180 gallons. In the bahamas filling with gas is much more than filling with diesel. Then factor in the 300 gallons/tank and the 180 gallons/ tank for the same distance.

 

[FlyMeAway]

Depending on your budget, if what you want is great efficiency and speed for passages, look at the Aspen. They have less room than the C31 but close to the room of the R29, with better speed and fuel efficiency. It’s a different boat, but Fluid Motion may not be ideal for this need...

 

[serpa4]

Depending on your budget, if what you want is great efficiency and speed for passages, look at the Aspen. They have less room than the C31 but close to the room of the R29, with better speed and fuel efficiency. It’s a different boat, but Fluid Motion may not be ideal for this need...

Ya, just been looking at them "Today" for the 1st time.
Sweet rides, great fuel econemy, king bed, etc. But, ya they are really expensive. Still looking though. Maybe a nice one will pop up in my price range before I find a Cutwater. Honestly, I'd actually prefer the Aspen.....now that I found them, but seems I need to go a few years older, say 2012 Aspen vice 2018 cutwater and then the hours start stacking up on older boats. They seem to cruise at 15-18 kts with a D3 200hp and get 2+ mpg at that speed.

 

[bill j]

If you will post your email address I will send you a nm/gal vs speed chart for my Cutwater 302 with twin Suzuki 300 hp motors. I can't figure how to download on this forum. Bill

 

[serpa4]

If you will post your email address I will send you a nm/gal vs speed chart for my Cutwater 302 with twin Suzuki 300 hp motors. I can't figure how to download on this forum. Bill

Thanks. Pm sent

 

[FlyMeAway]

Depending on your budget, if what you want is great efficiency and speed for passages, look at the Aspen. They have less room than the C31 but close to the room of the R29, with better speed and fuel efficiency. It’s a different boat, but Fluid Motion may not be ideal for this need...

Ya, just been looking at them "Today" for the 1st time.
Sweet rides, great fuel econemy, king bed, etc. But, ya they are really expensive. Still looking though. Maybe a nice one will pop up in my price range before I find a Cutwater. Honestly, I'd actually prefer the Aspen.....now that I found them, but seems I need to go a few years older, say 2012 Aspen vice 2018 cutwater and then the hours start stacking up on older boats. They seem to cruise at 15-18 kts with a D3 200hp and get 2+ mpg at that speed.

There isn't really a used market for them; you basically have to buy one new. At most a half dozen sold nationwide every year, and dealers/the manufacturer keeps waitlists for them so often they're sold as soon as they come on (if not before).

That combined with the lack of a support forum like this one, made us decide to go for a Ranger that was 2-3 years old instead. There's also more space in a Ranger 29 or 31, plus the command bridge. It's a different boat. Advantages to each. Not sure the Aspen is worth it unless you use it a *lot,* offshore, in heavy seas.

 

[serpa4]

I plan to retire and use it a lot.
I actually do not want a Command Bridge, even if it was a great deal. Just no my thing, but great idea for those who want one.
But, I do plan to bop around the Bahamas and top of the Caribbean in it. So, the Arctic Cat may be well suited to us. The extra range and fuel economy while paying a LOT more $$ for diesel in the Bahamas is also a benefit.
But, I don't know if I can find one at the right price, so likely will end up with a Cutwater C30 which is an excellent boat for sure. I'm just starting to lean very slightly to the Arctic Cat right now.