Fuel mileage

[ris]

After 564 statute miles we have a little data on fuel. We ran with ballast in at 2100 to 2200 rpm which was around 6.5 mph depending on current. This averaged 6.2 mpg over the 564 miles. The past two days we have run ballast out, 2500 rpm, 7.5 mph depending on current and got 7.2 mpg. We loose as much as 2.5 mph because of the current. So for the next few days we are traveling ballast empty, 2500 rpm.
The most boring part of this trip was after we left the waccamaw river and entered a canal portion of the ICW, for about 10 hours it seemed like, while we traveled through the myrtle beach SC area. Even during the week there were lots of boats and seadoos. The canal is not 50 yards wide or it seems that way. I would never do this portion of the trip on a weekend. Every marina had 10 to 20 seadoos for rent.

[mrron_tx]

Hey Ris. I have read and been told that weekends are when You rest , and let the locals/ whatever blow off steam. And then on Monday morning....They are back at work or school , and Your stress level should be better . Ron

[Herschel]

The past two days we have run ballast out, 2500 rpm, 7.5 mph depending on current and got 7.2 mpg.

Interesting data. Thanks. For what it is worth, when we have taken long trips on rivers or ICW, we have always kept the ballast tank empty, if it was just two adults aboard and an assortment of gear. The only time that did not work out well was when I tried to cross the entrance to Tampa Bay without ballast in 6-ft seas. Had to turn back and seek shelter. It has always felt very safe to operate without ballast in sheltered waters. I would think that not having the mast, rigging, and sails would make it even easier to go without ballast except when crossing open water in some chop.

[Three Gypsies]

hey Richard , your stats are about the same as ours .

At 2,000 rpm and 5mph , I get my best gas mileage , with a clean bottom , about 10 mpg .
As the bottom gets dirty , I can't reach that 10mpg again .

At about 2500 rpm and 6-7 mph , about 6 mpg

I haven't noticed much difference in the gas mileage , when running with or without ballast . And if I read your stats correctly
it doesn't seem to make much difference to you either .

Except for a few times , I have always ran with ballast in . The slight decrease in gas mileage is cheap insurance , against that
bad wake or rogue wave