Albin 32 most efficient cruinsing speed

[Joe]

I am planning a trip from Venice Florida to Lake Champlain in Vermont this coming Spring on my 1994 Albin CB 32. This will be my first longer trip on a new to me boat. What is the most efficient cruising speed? I've heard ranges between 7 and 9 MPH. thanks, joe

[jruesr]

Joe, I have an albin 32, 1990. My boat resides in Matlacha florida. I have done just about everything that can be done to this boat and could answer some questions if you want.

On the subject of fuel economy i would suggest that you get the data sheet for your engine. I do not know what engine you have and results would vary. I have attached the data for my engine (Cummins 370). Included is a curve that shows fuel consumption at varying rpm. I ran a test to see what speed I could get while running at different rpms, moving trim tabs etc. Then its easy to calculate miles per gallon.

For example, my engine (prop curve) consumes about 10 gal/hr at 2400 rpm, and the boat runs at 16kts (depending on conditions - tide-wind). That calculates to 1.6 nautical miles per gallon. I seem to get about that mileage no matter what I do.

You can calculate your mileage at different speeds if you get your engine data, test and determine the boat speed vs rpm curve for your boat, and do a little math.

I think you would do damage to that diesel if you ran at 8 kts for that long time. I would blow the cobs out at regular intervals for the engines will being.

Sounds like you are planning a real adventure.

Best Wishes
John
Passages III

[Veebyes2]

Anything up to hull speed will be good. Hull speed is easy enough to get an approximate handle on. When water is breaking away from the transom & before the hull begins to squat is close enough to hullspeed. Any faster & the consumption per mile reallly starts to climb.

[jprohan]

I made 2 similar trips from Stuart to NY in my 32. Fuel efficiency depends on several things: weather, tides, and, in my case most important, time. If you have plenty of time, a liesurely hull speed is the most efficinet; although you'll probably want to get up and go if it is rough or snotty. There are also some LONG stretches of the ICW that you may want to make time on.
In my case, I needed to complete the trip quickly; so we ran at cruising speed (15-16kts @2550 Cummins 330) burning 8-10 gals/hr. We wanted to put as many miles under the keel as possible, when we had good weather days.