What a fool I've been... Added fuel flow meters...

[Pyrojodge]

Greetings all,

So kind of a neat upgrade that I finally accomplished on my ol gal. Years ago when I redid my stereo and electronics I ran a dedicated NMEA2000 backbone through the engine room to allow me to upgrade to sensors and such for engine data. My 1st step in the process was adding two Garmin GFS 10 fuel flow sensors to tie into my MFS display at the helm. Once I got them all plumbed and hooked up I am simply in shock...

So this is the 12th year with the boat. I know I'm not normal to have one so long.

My old way of thinking and I did tests going out for an hour run then coming back and topping up with fuel and manually doing calculations to where I thought the best cruise would be. For years I ran the boat about 15 mph at what I thought as 14 galhr per engine...

I just had a full tune up done on the boat and added the fuel meters.

at 15 to 16 mph I'm getting about 0.4 to 0.5 mpg.

once I kicked the throttles up to about 24 to 25 mph I was seeing 0.8 + mpg. I have a lot more tooling around with this now but I was shocked as to how far off I was all of these years and how much fuel I could have saved.

I will continue to play with the meters and get her dialed in and see where she likes to cruise and get the best MPG.

Just thought I'd share that you can always learn new things about your boat!

 

[blaster]

Wow! A 50% difference is huge. Plus all the lost time going 10 MPH slower.

Nothing wrong with keeping an awesome SeaRay model for 12 years, or forever for that matter. The way you put a shine on your old gal is super impressive. Not to mention your other upgrades, especially the new canvas. I'm sure you get a lot of compliments on such a well maintained boat.

 

[NorCal Boater]

I owned this model for 4 years and 15 mph is a terrible speed for that hull. If I recall you are plowing and just pushing a lot of water and as you found out it very un-economical.

Hats off for sticking with a boat you like. I really liked mine and have said on more than one occasion that I should not have sold it and moved up.

 

[hottoddie]

Does your mileage display in tenths are hundredths of a mpg. Mine are just in tenths but wish it would includes hundredths.

 

[boatrboy]

Pyro - I have added a fuel computer several years back and while not as far off as you, I was surprised that 27 mph was my sweet spot and some days even 28-29 mph with winds and current in my favor.
What I like best is that I have a second fuel gauge so I don't have to second guess myself if the tank gauge is right. I also love knowing that when I fill up I am usually within a couple of gallons of what I expect to fill.

 

[Stee6043]

I had a flo-scan on my prior boat. I couldn't stand to watch it. It's like watching dollar bills sink in the wake behind you....

 

[boatrboy]

I had a flo-scan on my prior boat. I couldn't stand to watch it. It's like watching dollar bills sink in the wake behind you....

Its not for the faint of heart and I never let me wife see it

 

[northshore]

Greetings all,

So kind of a neat upgrade that I finally accomplished on my ol gal. Years ago when I redid my stereo and electronics I ran a dedicated NMEA2000 backbone through the engine room to allow me to upgrade to sensors and such for engine data. My 1st step in the process was adding two Garmin GFS 10 fuel flow sensors to tie into my MFS display at the helm. Once I got them all plumbed and hooked up I am simply in shock...

So this is the 12th year with the boat. I know I'm not normal to have one so long.

My old way of thinking and I did tests going out for an hour run then coming back and topping up with fuel and manually doing calculations to where I thought the best cruise would be. For years I ran the boat about 15 mph at what I thought as 14 galhr per engine...

I just had a full tune up done on the boat and added the fuel meters.

at 15 to 16 mph I'm getting about 0.4 to 0.5 mpg.

once I kicked the throttles up to about 24 to 25 mph I was seeing 0.8 + mpg. I have a lot more tooling around with this now but I was shocked as to how far off I was all of these years and how much fuel I could have saved.

I will continue to play with the meters and get her dialed in and see where she likes to cruise and get the best MPG.

Just thought I'd share that you can always learn new things about your boat!

Jason this is good stuff!
Let me know where you land for RPM when you get it all nailed down
I have been running under the assumption that between 2800 and 3000 (which is about 23 mph for me) was about as good as it would get.

 

[RollerCoastr]

Does your mileage display in tenths are hundredths of a mpg. Mine are just in tenths but wish it would includes hundredths.

My 5212 would only show tenths. I begged Garmin to provide an update to show hundredths, but it never happened. I eventually upgraded to an 8212. The first software update I applied to the 82 gave me hundredths. I now have it networked to a 741 which also displays hundredths.

 

[NorCal Boater]

Jason this is good stuff!
Let me know where you land for RPM when you get it all nailed down
I have been running under the assumption that between 2800 and 3000 (which is about 23 mph for me) was about as good as it would get.

'That is right where I ran Stayed on plane and out of the back barrels on the carb.

 

[Pyrojodge]

I owned this model for 4 years and 15 mph is a terrible speed for that hull. If I recall you are plowing and just pushing a lot of water and as you found out it very un-economical.

Hats off for sticking with a boat you like. I really liked mine and have said on more than one occasion that I should not have sold it and moved up.

I wouldn't say that I was pushing water. I would have the tabs full down and the boat would ride nicely in the water and take on the Lake Erie chop nice and easy. The engines were not running hard and I was out of the 4- barrels at that point.

 

[boatman37]

I dunno. My 250 was pushing alot of water at 15 MPH. I could tell it was working hard. Anything between about 8 and 24 MPH and I was pushing a wall of water

 

[RollerCoastr]

In my own version of Jason’s thread, I said that what fuel meters taught me is that economy can’t be “felt”.

I took an hour-long trip yesterday at a speed that for years I thought was barely on-plane and a waste of fuel. It felt horrible. In reality, it’s the speed my boat does best.

NOW that speed “feels” effficient.

 

[Strecker25]

In my own version of Jason’s thread, I said that what fuel meters taught me is that economy can’t be “felt”.

I took an hour-long trip yesterday at a speed that for years I thought was barely on-plane and a waste of fuel. It felt horrible. In reality, it’s the speed my boat does best.

NOW that speed “feels” effficient.

I'm sure it's been well documented in the other gas/diesel 400 threads so I don't want to derail this one but what speed/gph is that on your 400?

 

[RollerCoastr]

Digging the tabs all the way in and throttling down to about 2,800 pushes me at 17.5 MPH and burned 22.4 GPH. That’s why I appreciate having the hundredths place on the meters. My 5212 would round .75 to .8 The new equip shows .78

240 gals of fuel, 50, gals of water, no waste, calm seas.

 

[Strecker25]

Digging the tabs all the way in and throttling down to about 2,800 pushes me at 17.5 MPH and burned 22.4 GPH. That’s why I appreciate having the hundredths place on the meters. My 5212 would round .75 to .8 The new equip shows .78

240 gals of fuel, 50, gals of water, no waste, calm seas.

Cool thanks, I may find myself in the diesel vs gas debate over the next year as we look for a 400/410 and your numbers are great.

 

[JVM225]

I installed the GFS10’s on my old boat and loved them. I wish there was an economical solution for flow sensors on diesels.

 

[SCORPIO]

I have Faria flow meters on my 300 and they really help you find the sweet spot for best speed vs fuel burn. Also helps keep them in sync. BTW, I'm on my 10 th year with my 89 300DA, love the boat.

 

[JVM225]

I have Faria flow meters on my 300 and they really help you find the sweet spot for best speed vs fuel burn. Also helps keep them in sync. BTW, I'm on my 10 th year with my 89 300DA, love the boat.

As much as I love my current boat: There are times when I really miss my old 300 Sundancer.

 

[Stee6043]

Digging the tabs all the way in and throttling down to about 2,800 pushes me at 17.5 MPH and burned 22.4 GPH. That’s why I appreciate having the hundredths place on the meters. My 5212 would round .75 to .8 The new equip shows .78

240 gals of fuel, 50, gals of water, no waste, calm seas.

Holy smokes those are some good numbers. I cruised across Lake Michigan a few weeks back. I was running 23kts @ 3,400rpm most of the way, plenty of tab, and appeared to run right around 35gph +/-. Later in the day the lake built up and I was running 13-14kts with the tabs all the way in. At that point I assumed I was not being as efficient though still comfortably on plane.

Interesting result and thanks for sharing!