Our workshop provides full mechanical services to
all makes and models, basic and full service winterizing, authorized insurance repairs,
mechanical evaluations, 110 volt systems, service calls by water and road, winter
labour discounts. Email us for detailed prices.
MONEY TO BURN
Fifteen tips to help cut your fuel costs.
Keep the bottom clean. Those slimies & critters increase drag. 10% more drag = 10% more fuel.
Don’t idle unnecessarily. Not only are you getting zero hours per gallon but you’re fouling spark plugs, decreasing the engine’s efficiency.
Check your propeller. Just because it came with the boat doesn’t mean it’s right. When your boat is running at top speed your engine should be in the middle to low end of the maximum operating range. If you’re using full rpm to get top speed you’re literally poring fuel away. Stainless steel props can boost fuel efficiency by as much as 10%, and a small ding in any prop will increase fuel consumption noticeably.
Watch the trim. A well balanced boat handles better and runs with less wetted surface, which reduces that fuel guzzling drag.
Know your consumption. You may find that reducing your engine rpm by 10% can reduce your fuel consumption by 30%.
Lighten ship, because extra weight means more fuel is needed to move the boat. Don’t carry any more water than you need, including in the bilge. And no more beer than you need to stay legal!
Improve your handling. Accelerate quickly to get on plane. Don’t let your boat labour along just shy of the planing speed because that gives the lowest mpg. Either let the boat drop back to a slower speed or get up on plane … makes less wake too.
Buy good fuel. Be sure you’re using the correct octane for your engines; you’ll find it in the owner’s manual. Also keep your fuel tanks clean and free of dirt, which clogs your fuel system and reduces performance.
Load correctly. Don’t put all the heavy gear like anchors, beer & Uncle Fred in either the bow or stern. Place them in the middle of the boat where they won’t affect the balance - or the mileage.
Check the drive train. An improperly aligned inboard can cost you money. On boats with two engines make sure the rudders (or the drive units on stern drives) and outboard boats) are aligned - any ‘toe in’ or ‘toe out’ wastes a tremendous amount of power.
Store your leftover fuel. Modern fuel preservatives eliminate the need to dump your fuel at the end of the season. Simply add the required amount of preservative for added protection from frozen fuel lines.
Check compression. Low compression indicates worn piston rings or leaky valves that consume oil (also expensive) and reduce engine power.
Clean the air filter. A dirty filter causes a richer fuel mixture and has the same detrimental effect as running with the choke open.
Check the idle. Make sure the engine isn’t idling too fast and using unnecessary fuel.
Keep the oil clean. Dirty oil increase the friction and drag on moving parts. Change the oil, including the filter, regularly.
BONUS. Go slower, and you’ll always save fuel!
Long Island Marine Inc.
1424 Commodore Ln, Box 41,
KARS, Ontario K0A 2E0 Canada
Tel (613) 489-2747
Fax (613) 489-1486
Email: info@longislandmarine.com
www.longislandmarine.com
Our workshop provides full mechanical services to
all makes and models, basic and full service winterizing, authorized insurance repairs,
mechanical evaluations, 110 volt systems, service calls by water and road, winter
labour discounts. Email us for detailed prices. 
