7.4L fuel consumption

[casey344]

I re-plotted my course using Google Earth today to try and calculate my fuel consumption.

I drove 26.4 miles @ roughly 20-30 mph (3000-4000 rpm). I had filled the tank before leaving the marina and put $38.00 when I returned.

Gas was $3.00 per gallon, so if I have this right I burnt 12.6 gallons at $1.45 per mile.

The boat is a 1998 Chris Craft 260 Express Cruiser, winds were calm, freshwater lake. Fuel injected 7.4L Volvo Penta with 85 gallons of fuel on-board. Dry weight of this boat is 5250 lbs., grey water and fresh water tanks empty, maybe another 500 lbs for gear.

Does this sound right? If there is a better way to calculate this I am all ears.

[285exp]

If you're asking us to check your math, it appears to be correct. Most fuel pumps I've used also read out gallons dispensed, so you can skip the $ to gal calculation next time by reading that directly. If you're asking if 2 mpg is about right for that boat, that seems about right. $pm is not a particularly useful metric, since that will change as prices change.

I'm not sure that Google Earth is the best tool for figuring how far you've gone. A cheap handheld gps will give you a more accurate SOG and most have a trip computer. Next time fill it up, reset the trip log or note the current reading, then refill on return and calculate mpg based on miles logged and gallons burned.

[m2434]

Seems pretty good for a 26 footer

[casey344]

Seems like my weekends just got expensive. :-) I just moved up from a 21' v6. The extra expense is definitely worth the upgrade, just a little surprising.