Fuel prices are creeping higher and higher, yet prices are something that we all have to deal with, and running a couple of busy fishing guide businesses means more time at the gas pump than I’d like. Maybe I should have invested in buying an oil company instead of boats!
A few things that help me save on fuel is by understanding the maximum peak fuel efficiency of both my boats and my truck that I use to tow the boats, as well as the factors that help to maximize this peak efficiency. Let’s start with the trailer and tow vehicle tires.
Properly inflated trailer tires seem like a no brainer, but even a few pounds of pressure under the recommended inflation means lost mileage on the road, by creating more drag on the road. Same goes for the truck tires. Maintaining a vehicle’s tires and trailer tires to the proper inflation is quite simple, yet very often overlooked. I keep a digital tire inflation tool that will tell me the exact inflation, and a battery operated compressor that I keep right in the truck.
Every boat and motor combination has a “sweet spot.” This is the point at which there is maximum speed while maintaining peak fuel efficiency. In my Ranger bass boat, my sweet spot is at 3500 RPM, which equates to around 37mph. While it’s fun to go wide-open throttle, pushing the low 70’s in mph, it turns my 250-horse power outboard into a huge gas-guzzler. I feel like I can almost literally watch the fuel needle drop. It takes a little attention to be able to accurately measure the true peak efficiency of RPM vs. fuel consumption, however it’s not difficult. There are even a few after-market add-ons that are available to help measure for a boat’s sweet spot. Ever boat is different, even with the same equipment. Factors like weight, load distribution and outboard trim all add up to mean a lot when it comes to fuel consumption.
Even though I have to carry a lot of required safety gear for my guide customers, and I have a lot of fishing gear on board for those “what if they’ll bite this” moments, taking out unnecessary gear will help. Understanding the use of motor trim will also go a long ways. Add everything up, and whether I’m towing the boat, or running on the water with guide customers, I’m trying to maximize fuel efficiency so that I can avoid spending more time and money at the gas pump. Follow some of these tips and I’m sure that you’ll enjoy better fuel economy, too.