Fuel Saving Tips for Boaters
From Miami Beach to Toledo and from Palm Springs north to Alaska, people and policymakers across the nation have been asking: “Why are fuel prices so high and what can be done to lower costs?” It’s an even more perplexing and costly issue for power boaters who pay premium fuel prices to enjoy their fun on the water.
Recreational boating in Ohio remains very popular as a record 424,700 boats were registered in 2010. Industry observers share a consensus that higher fuel prices have little negative impact on seasonal boating activities. Regardless, the focus of most people on the water is to minimize fuel consumption with the least interruption of driving and boating activity.
 Ohio Sea Grant's Clean Boater program has some suggestions for getting the most out of the fuel you buy:
- Shed the pounds: Reducing boat weight generally increases mileage: 1 gallon of water weighs about 8 lbs.; 1 gallon of gas weighs about 6 lbs.
- Practice balance: Uneven weight distribution causes improper trim, reducing efficiency.
- Travel the most direct route: Make sure your boat's compass is properly calibrated and consider using a global positioning system.
- Follow the path of least resistance: Look for calm waters and avoid fighting waves when possible. Remove unnecessary obstructions to reduce wind resistance.
- Find the engine’s sweet spot: Boat engines each have a particular sweet spot that, when discovered and maintained, provides smooth, almost effortless engine performance, maximizing fuel efficiency. Finding the right combination of minimal engine strain to get a boat on plane and maintaining less than 100% throttle will help your engine perform at peak fuel efficiency.
- Use "prop"er adjustments: The boat engine propeller is an important piece of equipment. Be sure your propeller is the right size and type and that the pitch is set correctly to ensure maximum efficiency of engine operation. Dirt, nicks, unusual bends and other defects can impede the peak performance of a boat propeller and negatively affect fuel efficiency.
- Keep the hull clean: Wash the hull often to remove attached vegetation and fouling organisms, which cause friction.
- Don't exhaust yourself: If the exhaust is black, white, or blue, the engine is probably not operating at peek efficiency. Service the engine regularly.
- Consider engine alternatives: Use a trolling motor for fishing, perhaps even an electric one. Consider purchasing a fuel-efficient engine or a boat equipped with alternative energy options, such as solar panels.
- Boat pool: Find a friend or two to go boating or fishing with. Boat pooling not only saves fuel, it reduces wear and tear, and provides a layer of safety should something go wrong.
For additional Clean Boater tips, visit Ohio Sea Grant. |