With fuel prices as expensive as most folks have ever seen, filling your tanks is a costly proposition these days. More importantly, in our opinion, is the environmental impact caused by using fossil fuels in the first place. In order to help your wallet and the Planet at the same time we put together some handy tips for using less fuel whenever you’re out on the water.
* Slower speeds reduce how much fuel your engine needs. Sure it’s a thrill to go fast, but dropping down even a few knots will help conserve fuel.
* Try not to under power your boat. A small engine trying to push a large boat through the water uses much more fuel than an engine appropriately sized to you vessel.
* Keep your engine properly tuned and maintained so it will operate more efficiently.
* Use the grade of gas or diesel your engine’s manufacturer recommends. Not only will your engine last longer, but it will run better and use less fuel.
* For both short and long trips make a float plan before you head out so you can minimize unnecessary mileage.
* Power boaters should pay attention to how they use their engine’s trim tabs. The smoother your boat moves through the water, the less fuel it needs. Pay attention to trim tabs, especially while accelerating up to planing speeds and you’ll use less juice.
* Keep your hull clean to reduce drag. The smoother your boat is the easier it will slide through the water, and of course, use less fuel.
* Minimize the use of onboard generators.
* When docked, use electrical power instead of generators.
* Minimize the time your boat idles, on the water or at the dock.
Probably one of the biggest over sights when people pruchase a large 30ft + power boat is fuel consumption. Your green tips will help the enviroment and there hip pocket.