Fuel consumption 44 Sundancer

R

Randy Smith

New Member
Dec 6, 2009
12
South Florida
Boat Info
44 Sundancer 2006
Engines
QSC 500 Cummins
I just took my 2006 44 Sundancer from Delray Beach Florida to Staniel cay bahamas and back. Great trip but spent 4800 on fuel. I have the QSC 500's and cruise at 24.5K at about 2225 RPM . No matter what speed I travel I cant do better than .6 NMPG with todays fuel prices I am considering a zuess or IPA boat. I need help!
 
i have the 2008 model with the 500 cummins and get consistent .8 statute miles at 30 mph(2450rpm) and .9 at 26 mph(2300rpm) fyi thats about what my 40 got with 3116 cats ( actually cummings and 44 are better slightly )
 
Maybe I have a prop problem. I top out at 2675 RPM and I normally cruise 2250 RPM but I am getting a solid 24K cruise at that number but burning 35 Gallons an hour. I have the cummins smartcraft which gives me the consumption as I drive. I have bottom paint and I am in salt water. How does this compare to you?
 
ALso I have a new bottom job. and no tender or heavy equipment. I checked the boat test site and they say what you are getting is correct.
 
i ran yesterday fresh water at 2430 rpm which is like 82 percent and was running 29.5 to 30 mph. top end on my boat is 35 to 36 mph and i think 2800 rpm . my cruise is typically 2430 rpm and 30 mph . if i run slower , say 2250 i run in the 26 mph and .9 mpg
 
sorry forgot < good bottom paint , no tender except i carry a roll up tender and a three horse kicker in my rear fender locker , all from vessel view
 
Guys,
Top end on QSC 500 is 2650 RPM . I max out at around 34- 35 mph at 50 -60 GPH

Cruise for me is around 2300 RPM put s me at about 27 - 28 MPH 40 GPH

I was told MAX continuous cruise is 2450 RPM .

Rob
 
Dumb question and sorry for then high-jack...do you get better mileage in salt water due to buoyancy from the salt, or is fresh water better for MPG/GPH?
 
We run right around 2100 rpm and are getting approx 21 gph burn. This year we are going to "Trawler" it. Normally we go at least to Staniel Cay but at over $6.00
a gallon i dont know. It still gets my crawl on that $300.00 fee. We may run to Key West this year? I do know i will be backing that throttle back some. JC
 
Well guys I continue to study this fuel burn problem and after converting all the people that report MPG instead of NMPG I guess Im getting about the same. I did get .7 recently on clean bottom and treated fuel so maybe my .6 back from Staniel was .65 or more. Still the cost of fuel makes us all think a bit more these days. Last Sunday we took the boat from Delray beach to fort lauderdale for lunch and burned 89 gallons at $4.05 or $360.00 Guess I should of ordered some Dom at lunch instead of Corona Light. Now since I started studying the cost of IPS boats it goes back to cost to sell and buy etc. I looked at the tiara 44 used and its a bit more than our 44's. I am missing my old lift on the back of my 04 50 DA and am thinking of going back to that boat. Plenty of used ones in florida in 03,04 models that dont cost much more than our later model 44's. I used to burn 35 GPH at 22 knots which is good for a boat that size. ALso two airconditioners in the cockpit are awesome for Florida. Thanks for all the responses. Randy
 
Our 540 Sundancer is a Zeus pod application and has two AC's in the cockpit !!....Don't leave us Randy!!

In all seriousness sir, if you would like to do some comparisons between models, I will be more than happy to provide you with factory specs for certain models and different engine packages. I also have driven the majority of these different models so if I can offer my personal opinion in regards to some of your inquiries, I will do just that. We can talk POD drives v. shaft drives all day long.

Everyone is different and that’s why we make so many different styles. I remember my Grandfather telling me just that, many years ago, but he said that it was a good thing we’re all different ‘cause if everyone was the same, they’d all want your Grandma. Lord I miss those who have gone before us!

If I can help you decide which SEA RAY is right for you, I will do my best….always the factory guy !


Rusty
 
Great response! My current 44 is my 10th sea ray. Yes I sprinkled an Azimut in there back in 02 and an Intrepid one summer but I am a sea ray fan. Biggest problem for me is I need an really good AC in the cockpit with drop down curtain and my 44 is not quite the size to make that work. I am thinking I will buy an 03 50 DA and get a drop curtain to contain the air. I remember I got 22 knots at about 35 GPH can you confirm that for me? I cant go back to 40 or 50 GPH these days.

Boats in order:
30 DA, 26 BR, 30 DA (yes twice) 40 DA, 54 DA, 56 SD, 50DA, 34 DA (economy colapsed on me) 41DA, 44DA
 
JC3 said:
We run right around 2100 rpm and are getting approx 21 gph burn. This year we are going to "Trawler" it. Normally we go at least to Staniel Cay but at over $6.00
a gallon i dont know. It still gets my crawl on that $300.00 fee. We may run to Key West this year? I do know i will be backing that throttle back some. JC
Click to expand...

I filled up last Sunday at $3.94 per gallon for diesel with microbial treatment additive it.
 
SR400DB said:
Ken, where did fill up at?
Click to expand...

Pittsburg Marina but Village West in Stockton is $3.68 right now. It depends which direction you want to go. I believe Stockton is a few miles closer but they are virtually the same distance. We are heading to Stockton Thanksgiving weekend and the following weekend (for the lighted boat parade) and will fill up in Stockton to keep the tanks full for the winter. Willow Berm is way too expensive for fuel except maybe a final top off for winter.
 
rusty higgins said:
Our 540 Sundancer is a Zeus pod application and has two AC's in the cockpit !!....Don't leave us Randy!!

In all seriousness sir, if you would like to do some comparisons between models, I will be more than happy to provide you with factory specs for certain models and different engine packages. I also have driven the majority of these different models so if I can offer my personal opinion in regards to some of your inquiries, I will do just that. We can talk POD drives v. shaft drives all day long.

Everyone is different and that’s why we make so many different styles. I remember my Grandfather telling me just that, many years ago, but he said that it was a good thing we’re all different ‘cause if everyone was the same, they’d all want your Grandma. Lord I miss those who have gone before us!

If I can help you decide which SEA RAY is right for you, I will do my best….always the factory guy !


Rusty
Click to expand...

Welcome to the site! (You've probably already heard this).

My 44DB burns about 37 - 38 gph according to the gauges, and cruises at about 26mph. I get about .65mpg.
 
Just thought I would throw this out there to see what opinions I would get. Is there a problem idleling a diesel engine all day? With both engines running in gear and idleling at 600 rpm's each, my total fuel flow is roughly 1 gallon per hour and the boat will make 7mph or in other terms 7 mpg. At full speed of 37 mph the boat is burning roughly 60 gallons per hour or in other terms .62 mpg. I am in no hurry to get anywhere. I am a consultant and have usually a few weeks in between assignments. Is there any problem that you guys know of in ideling a boat all day to save some $$$? 7 mpg is 11 times better gas mileage than .62 mpg or am I just missing something here? I just turned 50 last month so maybe some nuts are loose. any comments?
 
Not sure about your engines, but I run mine anywhere from 1200-1500 rpms or 8-10kts all of the time. Kick on autopilot, sit back, and enjoy the scenery. I don't run it all the time at trawler speed but this year I ran it about 60% of the time at this speed. Check with Cummins to see if there's any problems with doing this. But it also usually requires pretty flat water at this speed or it can get uncomfortable really quick rolling around.
 
It is my understanding its not good to run diesls at idle for an extended time since they can load up then when you need the power it may not be there im not possititve but I own diesel equipment and its the same for them you need to clean them out and stretch their legs every now and again but I think Frank has commented on it once or twice but im not sure check through the other threads Im sure youll see other comments
 
Turtlesboat said:
Not sure about your engines, but I run mine anywhere from 1200-1500 rpms or 8-10kts all of the time. Kick on autopilot, sit back, and enjoy the scenery. I don't run it all the time at trawler speed but this year I ran it about 60% of the time at this speed. Check with Cummins to see if there's any problems with doing this. But it also usually requires pretty flat water at this speed or it can get uncomfortable really quick rolling around.
Click to expand...

Yep, that is what I was thinking. I just finished taking apart and cleaning the 4 raw water coolers and went out for a spin today in the Potomac. Got thinking about just cruising along like a sail boat. It was very peacefull. I made up a short route with 3 waypoints and just practiced with the autopilot. Very relaxing and stress free. You are not going to hit anyone and everyone has plenty of time to see you. Sounds like the way to go. I have seen Diesel trucks sit in truckstops all night with their engines running. Doesn't seem to bother them from what I know. But like you said, has to be somewhat flat water. I like your website.
 
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