TWL: Engine / Horsepower / Fuel Usage
Subject: TWL: Engine / Horsepower / Fuel Usage
M2MC@XXX.XXX
Date: Tue Sep 03 2002 - 16:53:19 EDT
<PRE>I'd like to put this question to the group. My wife and I are looking at
trawlers for a purchase in the very near future. We are concerned about cost
of operation. We've looked at boats with 120 hp Ford Lehmans, 130hp
Perkins, 240 hp Perkins , even Cat 375hp's. Here's the issue: Our broker
says it doesn't matter what HP the engine is if you run a 375hp engine at the
same low cruising speed as the 130hp engine it will only be marginally less
fuel effecient. In other words, if you're not using the 375 horses you won't
see much difference. I would expect this to be true from a 120hp to a 130hp
and maybe even a 210hp. But over the 210hp I would expect to see big
increases in fuel usage. I know fuel usage is a factor of many things
(length, hull shape, etc.). But given the same 44' trawler with the same
hull at 8 knots would I get roughly the same fuel usage from a 130hp, 240hp,
and 350hp?
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