Fuel economy

Corrosion, Paint, Through Hulls, etc.
Fastjeff
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Re: Fuel economy

Post by Fastjeff »

..."Floscan went out of business a year or two ago"

Damn! Sorry to hear that. They were really nice folks to deal with.

There's gotta be a similar unit out there sold be somebody. Hope so.

Jeff
"We live at the bottom of an ocean of air, not at the top." General Marvage Slatington
jralbert
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Re: Fuel economy

Post by jralbert »

Oh..but wait,there's more to the story:

https://floscaninc.com/

it's not a TOTAL loss...there's a new owner out there. We'll track them down
-joel-
former owner 1988 '32 FB Sedan
Chesapeake Bay
twin 318 / 240 hp
Potomac MD
TinLizzy
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Re: Fuel economy

Post by TinLizzy »

I thought so also, but you can't get a hold of them, and all their dealers say they can't get anything from them either.
Rodney
1975 28 Express-Twin 350 Chevy's, SOLD
1990 32 Express--Twin Mercruiser 454 with Bravo I outdrives
Portage Canal Waterway-Upper Peninsula,Lake Superior
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bcassedy
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Re: Fuel economy

Post by bcassedy »

Rodney,
"...can't get anything from them either..."
Sounds similar to signs seen on (actually) closed businesses - "Closed for remodeling". They're realistically not going to reopen. Your situation with Floscan sounds (depressingly) similar.

Bill
Bill & Sharon Cassedy
"Sunset Seeker"
'88 32' Sedan Bridge to be sold (updtd 1-1-22)
"Sunset Seeker Too" (SS2)
'88 41' Marquis hardtop. (as of 1/1/22)
Located in Aurora, In.
Always fresh water.
wschneid
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Re: Fuel economy

Post by wschneid »

Has anyone tried cruising with one engine and switching every hour? If so, what result did you get (mpg/speed/value)?

Bill Schneider
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bcassedy
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Re: Fuel economy

Post by bcassedy »

Bill,
I tried that on a trip from Cincinnati to Madison, In. In order to maintain a cruising speed of about 9 to 10 MPH I'd have to increase the RPMs significantly. The other engine's tyranny was in neutral but there was a decent amount of drag from the non-running prop even though it could freely pinwheel. Had there been an ability to 'feather' the non-running prop, it would have made a big difference. To bad Marinette, which started their boat business after defense contracts from WW2 ran out, didn't apply aviation prop feather tech to their new boat line.... :lol:

All in all running on 1 engine doesn't save money.

Bill
Bill & Sharon Cassedy
"Sunset Seeker"
'88 32' Sedan Bridge to be sold (updtd 1-1-22)
"Sunset Seeker Too" (SS2)
'88 41' Marquis hardtop. (as of 1/1/22)
Located in Aurora, In.
Always fresh water.
garycarroll
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Re: Fuel economy

Post by garycarroll »

Question: I understand that there is an "optimum cruise" mileage sweet spot that is probably right around juuust up on plane, experiment to find the best for this particular boat and engine combination. But, if I am looking for the absolute best MPG regardless of speed, if I slow to displacement speed (say, around 7-10 MPH) is this going to give better absolute economy? I understand that at that speed a good current or wind might make a bigger impact than at faster speeds, so assume neither is a factor.
Of course, one might not want to putt-putt along at 7 knots even if it's more economical. But, it would be nice to know if it is, and by how much.
1979 32' Sedan Cruiser Flybridge, "Extended Play"
Dual 350 Crusader, carbureted with closed freshwater cooling
Westerbeke gasoline marine generator
Fastjeff
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Re: Fuel economy

Post by Fastjeff »

My Floscan experience (32 footer w/ 360s) says you are correct: the boat got about 3 mpg at 7 mph. Since I'm not a sailboat or trawler guy, that speed would never do!

My best on-plane mpg was at 2,000 rpm and about 15 mph. (As I recall it was about 1.3 mpg.) I regularly got 1.2 mpg at around 20 mph, and about 1.0 mpg at 28 mpg. Fuel usage on plane per motor ran from 9 to 12 (as I recall. I never, ever ran WOT for more than a few seconds during testing.)

Hope that helps.

Jeff
"We live at the bottom of an ocean of air, not at the top." General Marvage Slatington
Fastjeff
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Re: Fuel economy

Post by Fastjeff »

One more thought (and my memory may be a bit weak here) is that a Mopar 360 burns about 2 gph at 2,000 rpm in NEUTRAL.

Jeff
"We live at the bottom of an ocean of air, not at the top." General Marvage Slatington
frederickunltd
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Re: Fuel economy

Post by frederickunltd »

Slightly different query...I plan on doing the Loop in a 32. Lots of 10mph cruising. What total fuel consumption can I expect at that speed?
Bob Frederick
Louisville, KY
frederickunltd@yahoo.com
Gold Looper 34 Mainship "El Nido"
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