Fuel efficiency

[NJRobert]

When I purchased my new 07 28TE, one of the reasons I did it, was for diesel fuel efficiency. At the time gas was alot more money as a fuel. Last Spring, I had a Floscan professionally installed, and throughout most of the season, fine-tuned the calibrations to the point of it being +/- 5 gallons of fuel within the pump reading.

At 3600RMB, on a good day, I can get around 20kts. At that point I'm using around 12-14GPH. Does that sound right?

[furball]

At 3600rpm my flowscan shows 13 - 13.1 GPH and 18-19knts depending on currents etc. Sounds pretty much in-line.
John

[chiefrcd]

I think you're right on the money, with a clean bottom and not too much weight thats about what I get.

[Mariner]

I've found that off-road diesel is usually significantly cheaper than gasoline. Buying on-road diesel for a boat is throwing money down the drain. I have no idea what so many fuel docks continue to sell on-road diesel.

[rt11002003]

In thinking about this subject, I realize that I don't really know the difference between the two fuels. I've assumed the off-road diesel fuel and marine diesel fuel are the same and they are colored.

For the past two years I've been buying a red colored fuel and the price always exceeded the local price for gasoline.

Gene

[Mariner]

There are only two types of diesel fuel (from a tax standpoint); on-road and off-road. On-road diesel is taxed at the federal level (I believe $0.50/gal), and is not dyed. Off-road diesel is dyed red. Boats are allowed to use the un-taxed dyed fuel, though lots of fuel docks sell the on-road stuff simply because it's easier to get, and most customers don't pay that close attention to the price.

Here in Washington, all gasoline is taxed $0.50/gal regardless of use, so the lack of a tax on diesel is a significant benefit. You instead pay our 8% sales tax, but that works out to be a lot less than $0.50/gal. And, if you use your boat for commercial purposes, you can get the sales tax refunded to you at the end of the year.

[jleonard]

In Ct we also can get the road tax back for both diesel and gas. We have to apply by filling in a form, attaching receipts.
As far as I know all the marine fuel docks around here carry on road diesel. And it's generally about the same price as you pay on the roads.