We’re all looking to save a few bucks. As a boater, you want to save money when you buy your boat and get the most for it when it comes time to sell, but what about the time in between? While minimizing your accessory purchases and taking good care of your boat are great ways to keep cost of ownership at a minimum, there are also a number of things you can do to reduce fuel consumption for your boat.
Minimize idle time
We’ve all been there. Half your crew is ready to hit the water and the other half is nowhere to be found. When possible, don’t start your boat until you’re about ready to take off. Minimizing the time you idle at the dock will make a small, but noticeable change in your fuel consumption rates.
Make sure hull is clean
A dirty hull is going to create unnecessary friction and drag, causing your engine to work harder, similar to having tires on your car that aren’t inflated to its optimal PSI. Regularly clean your boat hull to maximize your fuel efficiency and keep your boat looking good.
Use the right gasoline grade
This is not only important for fuel-efficiency, but also the performance and longevity of your boat. Make sure you know which gasoline grade your boat’s engine requires. This information can easily be found from the engine manufacturer.
Make sure your motor is powerful enough
While it stands to reason that a smaller motor may be more efficient, that’s not necessarily the case if it’s being overloaded. Make sure your boat’s engine is capable of handling the load of the boat with plenty of room to handle more as you add passengers and cargo.
Budgeting for fuel is one of many financial aspects to consider when buying a boat. However, with these tips, you can save some money and keep your boat in excellent conditions.
