I discovered a simple fuel burn correlation. Annual fuel burn is directly proportional to enjoyment. More fuel = more fun. (We Cruise at a nominal 7.5 knots with the occasional run up for the benefit of the turbos). Of all our annual boat related expenses fuel may not be the least, but it’s not near the top either. Taxes/fees/insurance, moorage, things that go bump on a 20 year old boat, etc are all up there.
That noted, with a cruise loaded boat, averaging PacNW current push/pull, 1450 rpm x twin Cummins 330s, the occasional high speed run, and generous generator time we’re averaging 5-5.5 gph total consumption. We’ve had as low as 4.5 (I did some great route planning and timing) and as high as 8+ (needed to run quickly across the Straits of Georgia along the way).
