sailing catamaran fuel consumption

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Welcome to the West Nautical Fuel Calculator

HOW TO USE:

To plot points on the map, click with your mouse - this will automatically update the distance table. Then enter the speed, fuel consumption, and fuel cost to determine the total cost of the trip.

Example 1: A fast 30m yacht cruising at 20 knots ( Lady Amanda ) will consume roughly 400-500 l/hour (more depending on engine type).

Exampe 2: A typical displacement yacht may cruise at 12 knots and consume 300 l/hour

Example 3: Some yachts can cruise at 10 knots ( Firefly ) and consume 100 l/hour

Example 4: A sailing catamaran can cruise at 8 knots and consume around 35 l/hour

Fuel prices can fluctuate, but typically fuel is between €0.8 - €2.2 per litre.

Get in touch with one of our client managers for a more accurate fuel distance calculation.

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The Planing Power Catamaran: A Different Kind Of Cat

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Planing powercats deliver the high speeds dayboaters and weekend anglers crave — but without so much pounding in choppy seas.

The air cushion ­created between the two hulls dramatically reduces wave impact at running speeds. (Photo: World Cat)

Powercats are different beasts than sailing cats, and the powercats you're most likely to see on your local waters are those in the 20- to 40-foot range (like my 22-foot Glacier Bay). Unlike the big cruising powercats, which are more like cat trawlers with top ends maybe a little over 20 mph, smaller cats have planing hulls that perform much like today's modern powerboats.

Depending on the engine package, there are a few cats that top out in the lower 30s, lots in the lower 40s, some in the 50s, and a few that break 70 or even 80 mph.

While a similar length monohull may have a 40-mph cruising speed in a 2-foot chop, the monohull captain will pull back the throttles and cruise at 30 to avoid being beaten up. The cat guy, on the other hand, may be able to keep on doing 40 thanks to the smoother ride. But having two hulls underfoot does create some interesting similarities in how these different types of boats react to input from the helm. So you'll see a few of the tips here mirror those used for sailing or cruising catamarans. Whatever type of cat you may be captaining, remember the following:

• Center the wheel and use only the throttles to control the boat. Powercats have their engines exceptionally widely spaced apart, and are far more responsive than monohulls when steered via throttles. Generally speaking, turning the steering wheel will only serve to reduce the effectiveness of working the throttles. This, of course, is assuming you have two engines. There are a few rare cats with one engine.
• At identical rpm, the engine in forward will create more thrust than the engine in reverse. So even if the throttles are set evenly when opposed, the boat will likely slide forward a bit as opposed to spinning in its own length. As a result, when attempting to speed up the maneuver it's usually best to favor giving the reversed engine extra oomph as opposed to the one in forward (assuming you don't want to move forward while turning the boat).
• Check the speed and direction of the wind before docking , and remember that some cats, particularly those with low draft, can be blown around more easily than many monohulls as there may be less hull below the waterline.
• When docking in a new slip for the first time with lines that haven't been preset, bear in mind that once you're docked, securing the boat can be difficult in some situations because few powercats have centered cleats. Most will have a single cleat on either side, in some cases obstructed by a bow rail and/or pulpit, which can make crossing lines difficult.
• Never shut those engines down until all the lines are secured . Again, remember that many cats can get blown out of kilter faster than the average monohull, and if you don't have lines preset, it may take a moment to figure out how to best secure them. Many a captain has done a perfect docking job and then shut off the engines, only for a gust of wind to push the boat right back out of the slip before the lines can be tied. Keep those engines running until the boat is 100% secure so you can apply power, if necessary, to maintain position.

Why Two Hulls?

Like all boats, catamarans come with distinct advantages (smooth ride, draft), and areas of compromise (docking, turning). Regardless of design aesthetics, the first question is usually: Why two hulls?

Mike Myers, vice president of product development for World Cat explains: "Catamaran hulls experience little to no drag or resistance to get on plane, resulting in greater fuel economy. They have a steady rise in speed and fuel burn with little to no spikes in fuel consumption."Planing powercats have a unique trait — which many cat lovers consider the top advantage over monohulls — the impact-absorbing cushion of air created by a compression tunnel between hulls.

And when it comes to beam, catamarans' parallel hulls create reliable stability, which helps to avoid heeling and capsizing, and greatly reduces the vessel roll at rest and at trolling speeds.

"Many boats are primarily designed around comfort for the captain. This usually means anyone at the front or sides of the boat takes most of the jostling,"Myers says. "The catamaran-style hull delivers ride comfort, smoothness, load distribution, and stability."That stability draws anglers to powercats of typically 20 to 40 feet; and cruisers to sailing cats 40 to 60 feet and beyond.

— Rich Armstrong

Taming The Cat

When it comes to handling powercats in open waters, the most important thing to remember is that all boats are different. Just as you wouldn't lump the handling characteristics of all monohulls together, the same goes for powercats. But many have a few common traits to consider.

• Some powercats have relatively low buoyancy in the bow compared to monohulls, as many have very narrow hull entries . As a result, in some cases, idling into a sea can allow waves to break over the bow. Gaining some headway so the bow rises a bit and packs air into the tunnel can alleviate the issue.
• Some planing powercats will run smoother at faster speeds than slower speeds, as they compress air in the tunnel between the two hulls. In these cases, speeding up may actually provide a more comfortable ride in some sea states as compared to slowing down. Depending on your boat, its tunnel may result in other differences from the monohull that you may be familiar with. Learning about these will improve you experience.
• Some powercats display a "snap roll,"which is a very fast righting motion that can rock the boat uncomfortably, especially when drifting in a beam sea. In these cases, people who may want to drift often (such as anglers) will sometimes deploy a drift sock off the bow to reduce rocking and rolling.

Photo: World Cat

• In general, powercats are often more weight-sensitive than monohulls, especially when the bow is loaded down . It's always best to be aware of how you're loading your boat, and if the tunnel is slapping or the bow is digging into waves, consider shifting weight aft.
• Some powercats, particularly older models, lean out in a turn rather than banking in. There's no way to eliminate this phenomenon (although trimming up an outboard engine when initiating a turn may reduce it a bit), so it's important to give passengers a warning to hold on before making any aggressive maneuvers.
• "Sneezing,"or blowing a puff of mist out the front of the tunnel that the boat then runs through (getting everyone aboard damp), is a phenomenon associated with some powercats. In many cases, trimming the bow up a bit will significantly reduce or even eliminate sneezing.

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Lenny Rudow

New Boats, Fishing & Electronics Editor, BoatUS Magazine

Top tech writer and accomplished sports fisherman, BoatUS Magazine Contributing Editor Lenny Rudow has written seven practical boating books, won 30 awards from Boating Writers International — many for his marine electronics articles – and two for excellence from the Outdoor Writers Association of America. He judges the NMMA Innovation Awards, and is Angler in Chief at FishTalk, his own Chesapeake-based publication. A great teacher and inspirational writer, Lenny hosts many of BoatUS Magazine’s very-popular how-to videos, which can be found on the BoatUS YouTube channel, or at BoatUS.com

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Your source for the latest news on yachts, boats and more. Read through our articles to find out how to compare boats and find the right fit for you!

Power Catamarans: A Complete Guide

Dec 06, 2023

less than a min

Power Catamarans, often termed as the epitome of modern maritime engineering, are gaining popularity for all the right reasons. Their distinct design, enhanced stability, and cruising efficiency set them apart from traditional monohull boats and even their sail-driven counterparts. This guide dives into the world of Power Catamarans, shedding light on their advantages and how they compare to other vessels like monohulls and trimarans.

Historical Prelude:

The concept of catamarans traces its roots back to ancient maritime cultures. However, the power catamaran is a relatively modern innovation that marries the traditional twin-hull design with powerful engines, offering a unique blend of speed, stability, and space.

Distinguishing Design:

Power Catamarans are characterized by their twin hulls, which significantly reduce the drag, thus enhancing speed and fuel efficiency. Unlike monohulls, they have a broader beam, which contributes to increased stability and more living space. The absence of a ballast for stability further lightens the vessel, contributing to its speed and fuel economy

Speed and Handling:

One of the significant advantages of power catamarans is their speed and handling. The twin hulls allow for a smoother glide over the water, making them particularly favorable for watersports enthusiasts. Their handling in rough waters is superior to monohulls, thanks to the inherent stability provided by the dual-hull design.

The stability of power catamarans is unparalleled, especially when compared to monohulls. The wide beam and twin hulls provide a stable platform, reducing the rocking and rolling common in monohulls. This stability is not only comforting in rough seas but also crucial when docking or anchoring.

Comfort and Space:

The spacious design of power catamarans offers homelike livability, with ample room for cabins, lounges, and even onboard amenities like grills and bars. The wide beam also allows for large deck spaces, ideal for sunbathing or enjoying the scenic ocean vistas.

Economy and Redundancy:

Power catamarans are economical, with fuel efficiency being one of their selling points. The redundancy built into their design, with separate engines for each hull, provides an added layer of safety, ensuring that the vessel can return to shore even if one engine fails.

Regular Upkeep and Care:

Power catamarans, given their unique design and structure, come with their own set of maintenance requirements. Like all boats, routine checks and upkeep are essential to ensure smooth sailing. The twin hull design means double the underwater gear – from propellers to rudders, which necessitates regular inspections for any signs of wear, tear, or fouling.

Antifouling:

Given that power catamarans have a larger surface area underwater due to their twin hulls, they may be more susceptible to marine growth. Regular antifouling treatments can help in keeping the hulls clean, ensuring optimal performance and fuel efficiency.

Engine Maintenance:

One distinct advantage of power catamarans is their dual-engine setup, but this also means double the engine maintenance. Regular oil changes, cooling system checks, and filter replacements are crucial. It's beneficial to synchronize maintenance schedules for both engines to ensure consistent performance.

The lifespan of a power catamaran largely depends on its build quality, materials used, and how well it's maintained. With proper care, a power catamaran can last for several decades. The engine's maintenance significantly impacts the catamaran's lifespan, with gasoline engines requiring maintenance at 1,200 to 1,800 hours and diesel engines at around 5,000 hours​​. The construction materials play a crucial role; for instance, fiberglass catamarans, when well-maintained, can last for many decades, while aluminum cats might change ownership after 10-15 years but can last a lifetime with proper care​.

World-Renowned Builders:

The power catamaran sector boasts several reputable manufacturers such as Lagoon, Leopard Catamarans, Fountaine Pajot, and other notable names like Seawind Catamarans​.

Lagoon, a revered name under the Beneteau Group umbrella, has carved its niche in crafting luxurious, spacious catamarans. A prime example is the Lagoon 630 Motor Yacht, embodying opulence with its nearly 250 sq. ft. aft deck and 900 sq. ft. interior, comfortably housing up to 12 guests. Known for its superyacht styling, it boasts superior fuel efficiency and a commendable average velocity-made-good of 9 knots.

Leopard Catamarans:

Emerging from the reputable Robertson and Caine shipyard in South Africa, Leopard Catamarans is synonymous with innovation and efficiency. The Leopard 53 Powercat is a testament to this legacy, showcasing excellent seakeeping abilities, offering 3 or 4 cabin configurations, and achieving a top speed of 25 knots.

Fountaine Pajot:

A trailblazer since 1976, Fountaine Pajot constantly redefines catamaran design. The Fountaine Pajot MY6 is a shining example, encapsulating the brand's visionary ethos. Stretching 15 meters, the MY6, equipped with dual engines of up to 2 x 353 Kw and 2 x 480 hp, promises dynamic sailing. Crafted meticulously by Pier Angelo Andreani, the interior mirrors a 20-meter monohull's spaciousness, reflecting modern aesthetics and comfort that stand as a benchmark in the Motor Yacht world.

These manufacturers continue to innovate, offering a blend of luxury, performance, and efficiency in their power catamaran models, making them a popular choice among maritime enthusiasts.

Comparing with Monohulls and Trimarans:

While monohulls are traditional and often cheaper, they lack the stability and space offered by power catamarans. On the other hand, trimarans, with three hulls, provide even more stability but at the cost of additional drag and less interior space.

TheBoatDB - Your Gateway to Maritime Exploration:

If you’re looking to delve deeper into the world of power catamarans and other vessels, TheBoatDB offers a comprehensive boat database. Explore various catamaran models, compare them with monohulls, trimarans, and other types of boats, and make an informed decision on your next maritime adventure.

In summary, power catamarans encapsulate a modern engineering marvel in the maritime domain. Their blend of speed, stability, comfort, and economy makes them an attractive option for a broad spectrum of boaters. Whether you are a long-distance cruiser, a water sport enthusiast, or someone who cherishes the tranquility of the sea, a power catamaran could be the vessel that transforms your maritime adventures into unforgettable experiences.

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Catamaran Or Monohull? 27 Important Facts (Explained)

Catamarans and monohull boats are two very different kinds of vessels.  Each craft offers distinct advantages and disadvantages that you’ll want to consider before choosing between the two.

In this post, we’ll go over some of the important things to consider when choosing between catamarans and monohull boats:

Table of Contents

Cost & Availability

Both catamarans and monohull boats come in small recreational sailing versions, larger motorboat versions, and larger sailing models.  In all cases, the catamarans will cost more and will be harder to find.

The reason catamarans are harder to find because there are not as many of them, and they’re mostly made overseas.

Also, there aren’t as many catamaran manufacturers, so sailors have fewer options when buying them.

On top of this, catamarans have only recently become popular in the United States and other areas of the developed world.  This means the used market for boats doesn’t have as many catamarans on it.  You might find that you have fewer options when making a used catamaran purchase, which could bring costs up to a premium.

Two Times The Fun with Catamarans

Another reason that catamarans are more expensive than monohulls is the fact that catamaran buyers have to purchase two hulls, two engines, and two of all of the components that help make an engine work.

Traditional sailboats and large powerboats with one engine don’t have this cost issue.

On top of this, a catamaran is much wider than a monohull, and thus you have more space to build and equip.

On the other hand, once you’ve purchased the boat, you do get to enjoy the benefits of having two of everything.  We’ll talk about the advantages of this further down in this post.

Maintenance Cost Makes A Difference

The maintenance on a catamaran is also more expensive than the maintenance on a monohull boat.  This goes back to the fact that there is twice as much of everything to maintain.

Catamaran owners will need to do preventative maintenance on two different engines, and they’ll have two hulls and a large deck area to clean and maintain as well.  If they’re getting the bottom of the boat treated, they’ll have to do this twice (once for each hull).

Even the interior components can usually be found twice.

Each cabin will usually have a head in it, so you’ll have at least two toilets and sinks to maintain, which obviously has its plusses and minuses.

One positive aspect of this is that catamaran owners do have the option of deferring some of their maintenance.  For example, if one head is no longer functioning properly, you always have the second one that you can use.

It also adds a bit of safety as well.

This is because while the catamaran does have two engines to maintain, the owner does have power even if one of the engines happens to go down.

Some catamaran owners also like to point out that maintenance may not have to be done as frequently.  This is because the engines don’t have to work quite as hard, and other items like additional bathrooms and sinks might only be used half as much.

How Much Space Do You Need?

A catamaran has more space than a monohull.  This is because the boat is wider, and it has a much larger deck area.  It also has twice as many hulls, so you have more overall space between the two of them.

The additional space is great for people looking to throw parties on their boats.

Most boat owners would agree that the catamaran is usually the party boat of choice at the docks.

Even if you aren’t into throwing parties, the extra space can still be nice for relaxing on the deck or getting a suntan.  The wide-open space also makes it easy to use the boat as a fishing platform.

Additionally, you have more space for stuff like surfboards, rafts, and other items that can easily clutter up the deck of a monohull.  Even fishing can be easier from a catamaran as the deck provides plenty of space between different anglers.

Catamaran owners also have additional space for carrying fresh water and adding generators and solar panels.

Interior space is generally more plentiful on a catamaran, and luxury catamarans have an easier time fitting large items like washers and dryers inside of them.  You can have these on larger monohulls as well, but it will be harder to make them fit than it is in a catamaran.

On the other hand, all of the additional space means the catamaran owner has more space to maintain and clean.  Also, all of the additional items that can be brought onto the boat will make it heavier.  A heavier boat will use more fuel, and it will travel more slowly.

Living Quarters Vary Between The Two

The living quarters on a catamaran are much different than they are on a monohull.  Most people would agree that the berths in a monohull are much more spacious than in a catamaran.

A monohull offers people the opportunity to have a large bed with space on either side to walk around it.  This is great for couples who want to get out of bed without waking up their partner.

Catamarans, on the other hand, have the advantage of being able to offer large above-deck salon areas.  The galleys, the dining areas, and the living areas can all be above-deck, while the two hulls can provide heads and berths.

Some boat owners say that living in a monohull is akin to living in a basement apartment .  Other boat owners prefer the monohull because it brings them closer to the water and gives them the feeling of being at sea.

Privacy Can Be Prioritized On Catamarans

A catamaran offers up many different living areas that people can take advantage of.  For example, each hull will typically have its own bathroom and bedroom.

This gives each sleeping area complete privacy from the other.

The living quarters are usually up on the deck, so early risers can wake up and move to these quarters without waking up the others.

The same holds for night owls.  A night owl can stay up late without bothering the people who want to retire to their beds earlier.

With two hulls, large catamaran owners can hire a crew and give them their own hull to live in so that there is separation between the cruisers and the crew.  This is a wonderful advantage for honeymooners looking to have their own space.

The downside to all of this, of course, is that sometimes a family may not want the additional privacy.  For example, a family with small children might not want their children in a different hull than they are.

Additionally, the extra privacy can make it hard for people on the boat to communicate.  This could become a big problem in the event of an emergency.

For this reason, it is often recommended that each hull have a radio in it so that the occupants can quickly communicate with each other.  Remember, even in inland areas, cell phone reception may not be very good inside the boat hulls.

Recreation In a Monohull vs. a Catamaran

Most sailors agree that sailing a monohull boat is much more exhilarating than sailing a catamaran.  Traditional sailboats heel, and sailors get instant feedback while they’re sailing.  For the most part, catamarans stay stable, and you don’t get the same feeling with the movement of the wind and the water.

When it comes to monohull powerboats, you have the advantage of being able to pull water skiers, kneeboarders, and tubers with ease, as long as the boat has the power and a planing hull.  A power catamaran usually doesn’t have the speed or maneuverability to pull off these recreational opportunities because they are displacement hull designs.

Catamarans excel in more leisurely recreational activities.  A catamaran makes a great party deck as well as a great cruising deck.  Catamaran owners can comfortably walk around a catamaran without having to worry that the boat might knock them over the next time it decides to heel.  This allows boaters to sit and talk with one another comfortably.

A catamaran can also be used as a beaching vessel.  This makes it a great platform for people looking to go swimming or fishing around sand bars and other shallow water areas.  It also makes it a great boat for sailors looking to sail a larger boat on a river or lake known for having shallow areas.

Swimming and Diving

Swimming and diving off of a catamaran are usually much easier than doing the same from a monohull.  The wide stance of the two hulls offers boat designers the option to put in staircases at the back of both hulls.

In between these staircases, some boats will have an additional diving platform and/or a dedicated frame for pieces of equipment and dinghy storage.  This makes catamarans great for swimmers, snorkelers, and divers.

On the other hand, modern monohull sailboats can also have good transom stairs for easy access to the dinghy and swimming.  Both types of boats can easily travel far out to sea, giving boaters the option of diving in areas that can’t be accessed from beaches and developed areas.

Boat Draft In Shallow Waters

For the uninitiated, the boat’s draft refers to how deep the boat’s hull sits within the water.

A monohull typically sits deep within the water, while a catamaran sits much higher on the water.  This is why we stated that a catamaran is good for shallow waters.

The advantage of having a boat that can go into shallow waters isn’t restricted to just recreational activities like swimming and fishing.  A boat that can go into shallow water is safer to operate in areas where a boat with a deeper draft might become damaged.

Additionally, a catamaran has more stability on calm waters.  This helps make a catamaran more comfortable to relax or sleep on while at anchor or the dock.

The deeper draft of a monohull boat has its advantages as well.  A deeper draft provides more stability in rough waters and allows a boat to go further into the sea.

For this reason, many coastal cruisers will prefer catamarans, while many ocean voyagers will prefer monohull boats.  In fact, some areas of the Caribbean and the Florida Keys can be off-limits to boats with deep drafts as it simply isn’t safe for the boat to navigate these waters.

This isn’t to say that you can’t navigate these waters in a monohull boat, but you will have to be cautious depending on how deep your monohull’s boat draft is.  You wouldn’t have this issue in a catamaran.

Stability On The Sea

A catamaran offers a lot more stability in shallow waters, in calm waters, at the dock, and anchorage.  This makes the boat great for cruising and for relaxing in port.

A monohull offers a lot more stability in rough waters.

This makes this boat great for heading out to sea and for navigating vast distances.

Safety Issues To Consider

Both catamarans and monohulls can be built to navigate the waters they were made for safely.  This will be determined more by the boat’s category designation rather than the type of boat.

However, each boat deals with unsafe situations in different ways.  For instance, a monohull boat is likely to right itself if it is capsized.

This means that even in rough seas, you’re unlikely to find yourself permanently capsized.

The downside to this is that should you become completely swamped from a capsize in a monohull boat, you are much more likely to sink.  In fact, if there is a hull breach on a monohull boat, your boat could sink.

Catamarans are said to be unsinkable.  This isn’t completely true, but it is very unlikely that a catamaran will sink.  Even if a hull is breached, you still have a second hull to keep the catamaran afloat.

However, a catamaran can’t right itself.  If you capsize your catamaran, it will stay capsized.

One other safety concern to consider is that a monohull sailboat will heel while a catamaran will not.  This increases the chances that someone could fall off the boat or onto the deck in a monohull boat.

Catamarans Are Faster Than Monohull Boats

A catamaran is faster than the average monohull boat.

This is because they face less water resistance, and their narrow hulls don’t have to deal with their own bow waves as a monohull does.

Of course, catamarans aren’t always faster.  Old cruising catamarans may not go faster than 8 knots, and modern monohulls can exceed 10 knots.

Monohull boats tend to sail downwind and in choppy seas better than catamarans.  This gives them a speed advantage during ocean voyages.

We have a separate post with complete average speeds per type of catemaran . It’s a must read if you are at all concerned about speed!

Fuel Consumption Considerations

Catamarans have two engines to burn fuel, which can drive up fuel costs.

However, a catamaran is lighter on the water, so it usually takes less energy to move a catamaran.  This means you’ll end up using less fuel in a catamaran than you would in a monohull.

On top of this, catamarans can decide to use just one engine in low wind areas.  This further decreases the amount of fuel that a catamaran consumes.

These rules only apply to calm waters.

A monohull navigates waters with high waves and strong winds much more efficiently than a catamaran.  In this case, you’ll use less fuel in a monohull than you would in a catamaran.

Sailing Differences To Notice

Sailing a monohull boat can be exhilarating.  These boats can glide through choppy waters, and you get to feel the motion of the boat as the sea rushes by the cockpit and the wind causes you to heel.

This type of sailing also provides instant feedback as you’ll know what you need to do with the sails as you’ll feel what is going on through the boat’s motion.

Sailors all over the world have been using monohull sailboats for years, and you’ll find plenty of outlets for recreational sailing with a monohull sailboat.

Sailing catamarans do not heel like a monohull sailboat.

These boats, therefore, do not provide the sailor with instant feedback.  Also, if you incorrectly sail a catamaran, you do risk capsizing the boat more easily.

Training Can Be Quite Hard

Sailing a catamaran and sailing a monohull boat are two different experiences.  People looking to sail either should probably get professional training.

Obtaining this training will always be easier with a monohull boat.

This is because monohulls are more popular, so you’ll have more instructors available to you.

Do You (Or Your Friends) Get Seasick?

People who are prone to getting seasick easily might want to consider a catamaran.  A catamaran provides much more stability in calm waters, and you get a lot less movement.

On the other hand, people who are not prone to getting seasick might prefer a monohull in choppy waters.

This is because a monohull will deal with deep and choppy waters with high waves much better than a catamaran will.

As a result, a catamarans movement can seem extreme under these types of conditions.  People who have never gotten seasick before can end up sick under these conditions.

Here’s a separate article we wrote with everything you should know about seasickness on Catamarans . There are some things you can do and some things you should know!

Docking Is (Usually) Easier With A Monohull Boat

Docking a catamaran can be a difficult endeavor.

This is because catamarans are often too wide to be docked within the slips located in central areas of a marina.

Because of this, they need to be docked at the end of the dock.  This leaves them with fewer spots to dock.  It also makes docking more expensive.

Catamaran owners traveling through areas that are unlikely to have many catamarans in them may find it difficult to find a dock at all.  This is true in areas of the northern Atlantic where monohulls are much more popular than catamarans.

Storage Issues To Consider

Even storing a catamaran can be more difficult.  This is because storage facilities often do not have the equipment to get a catamaran out of the water.

The wide width of these boats requires special lifts, and not all boat marinas will have them.

Storage facilities that do get the catamaran out of the water will often charge more money for it.  They’ll charge additional fees for taking the catamaran out of the water, and they’ll charge additional fees for the actual storage of the boat as well.

Redundancy And Backup Equipment

We touched upon this earlier, but it is worth repeating that catamarans have many redundancy built into them.  This can be a big advantage when it comes to safety.

For example, if one rudder becomes inoperable, the boat can still be steered with the other one.  If one engine becomes inoperable, the boat can still be driven with the other one.

In extreme cases, a hull could become damaged, and you could still stay afloat because the other hull will keep the boat safely above water.  These safety advantages can save lives and keep people from becoming stranded out at sea.

The primary downside is the maintenance issue that we mentioned earlier.  All of these redundant components will need to be maintained.  As a result, maintenance costs will be close to twice as expensive in a catamaran.

Cooking Is Easier On Catamarans

Cooking on a catamaran is usually easier than it is on a monohull.  The main reason for this is that a catamaran doesn’t heel like a monohull, so you don’t have to worry as much about things falling over.

This not only makes cooking easier, but it makes cooking safer as well.

Additionally, catamaran galleys tend to have more space in them to move around.  Also, they are often up on the deck, so you don’t have to climb in and out of the hull with your dinner in hand.

Dinghy Storage

Monohulls and catamarans can both hold dinghies.  The larger the boat, the larger the dinghy can be.

However, catamarans have a wide area at the rear of the boat that is perfect for holding dinghies.

This makes getting in and out of the dinghy easier.  Also, people can often have larger dinghies on their catamarans because the boat’s stern is so accommodating.

Power Generation Is Easy On A Catamaran

A catamaran has a lot of space for solar panels and wind turbines.  Rigid panels can be placed in areas that won’t be walked on, like overtop of the bimini, and flexible panels can be placed in areas where the panels might end up getting stepped on.

The width of a catamaran even gives them more opportunities to put hydro generators into the water.

This means catamarans can generate more power than the average monohull boat can generate.

On the other hand, a monohull usually has less powered items to worry about.  Monohulls need less power to operate at full capacity, so you may not need all of the additional space for generating power.

Ventilation Issues To Think About

Some people feel that monohull boats don’t offer enough ventilation.  This is especially true in warmer areas of the world.

Catamarans also lack ventilation within their hulls, but fortunately for them, much of the living space is located up on deck.  This gives catamarans an edge when it comes to cruising in warm weather.

On the other hand, monohull owners aren’t exposed to the cold winds that you might find up on deck in harsher climates. 

This lack of airflow may actually be of benefit in this instance.

Some people find monohulls to be better looking than catamarans and vice versa.

This all comes down to personal preference, so you’ll have to decide for yourself which type of boat has the advantage in this case.

Some people think catamarans are the most elegant thing in the world while others prefer monohull boats as they look more classic.

Resale Value Is An Important Factor

If you read our extensive guide to boat depreciation per boat type , you know that no matter what boat you buy, it will always go down in value.  This is just a sad fact of boat ownership that people need to consider before buying a boat.

Many factors go into how much you’ll be able to get for your boat when you resell it.  These factors are the condition of the boat, the age of the boat, and the economy in general.  For example, people are less likely to want to buy boats during a recession.  This is especially true when it comes to smaller boats.

However, one additional factor that catamaran owners need to consider when thinking about resale value is the value of the dollar. 

People from the United States don’t have many American catamarans to choose from and will usually need to buy these overseas.

This means that a catamaran will be less expensive to buy when the dollar is strong compared to the Euro and more expensive to buy when the dollar is weaker in comparison.  This will affect the used market as well because higher values on new catamarans can help to bring up the value on the used market.

With a monohull boat, you may not have to consider situations like this as there are makers of monohull boats all over the world.

Don’t Let The Length Trick You!

One thought to keep in mind when comparing monohull boats and catamarans is that their different shapes account for different space advantages.

For example, a 40-foot long catamaran will have much more cubic space than a 40-foot long monohull.

Because of this, when comparing boats, you should look at the cubic space rather than the length. In this case, you may be comparing a 48-foot long monohull with a 40-foot long catamaran.

When you compare the two types of boats in this manner, the price differences aren’t quite as large, and the comparison is fairer.  It also may make the operating and maintenance costs more similar.

This is an important distinction to make because the length of the boats can trick you!

Consider Trying Both (Before Buying)

Boats can be an expensive purchase, so it makes sense to try them out before you decide to make your purchase.

Rent each type of boat and use it on the types of waters that you intend to cruise on the most.

Try the boat out in different weather conditions as well, and don’t be afraid to do multiple rentals before you make your final choice.  The time and money invested into making sure you get the boat you really want will be more than worth it in the end.

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Catamaran vs. Monohull Sailboats

When it comes to catamaran vs. monohull, there are two schools of thought that always prompt impassioned debates as to which one is much better.

If you've used both a catamaran (a boat with two hulls) and a monohull (a boat with one hull), you know that they both have pros and cons. In most cases, it all boils down to your personal preferences and intended use but that shouldn't prevent us from highlighting the better one.

A catamaran is much better than a monohull in many ways. Catamarans are more stable, faster, and spacious. They also offer safer anchorage and are easy to control. Monohulls are more maneuverable, have lower costs, and better when sailing upwind. It all comes down to personal preference and intended purposes, but when it's all said and done, a catamaran has more advantages than a monohull.

In this incisive article, we'll highlight the critical differences between a catamaran and a monohull and see the one that comes out on top.

Table of contents

Catamaran vs Monohull

Safety while out there on the water is one of the most critical things that any sailor should have in mind when choosing the type of boat to use.

Catamarans shine on many aspects of safety. They're generally more stable and seem to have natural buoyancy since they don't have ballast and this makes them almost unsinkable. Generally, catamarans are designed with a considerable amount of reserve buoyancy thanks to the crannies of the vessel, nooks, and closed-cell foam. These objects can, however, become a serious cause of safety concern should there be a fire outbreak. All in all, a cat can sink in an accident, but it'll most likely float on the surface of water unlike monohulls, which will sink to the bottom.

Again, catamarans have flat decks. This makes it a lot safer to walk on them than it would be to walk on angled decks of monohulls. Given their flat decks, a catamaran boat will stay level and have less pitching and so it's a lot easier to keep the crew aboard and safe even in rough weather.

Another important fact that may contribute to the safety of a catamaran is its speed. If you've always believed that speed equals safety, then a catamaran is the right boat for you. In short, the speed of a catamaran will allow you to outrun rough weather. A modern catamaran can clock nearly 250 miles a day, which is quite faster, and so there's no reason why you should get caught in bad weather.

In terms of safety, a monohull is nowhere near a catamaran as far as safety is concerned. The most important thing about a monohull in terms of safety is its self-righting capabilities. With a monohull, you're likely to return to an upright position even after capsizing and this can give you a chance of accessing onboard safety equipment, floatation devices, life raft, EPIRBS, dinghy, strobe lights, and many more.

Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of a catamaran. With a catamaran, you'll stay upside down once you're upside down and this can be fatal in the middle of the ocean.

Verdict: The self-righting capabilities of a monohull can be life-saving but it isn't guaranteed. On the contrary, a catamaran has loads of safety features chief among them is its unsinkability, so it easily comes out on top as far as safety is concerned.

Speed and Performance

If everything including length remains the same, a catamaran is about 30% faster than a monohull. A cat can sail at half the speed of wind but this will, of course, upon the angle of the wind. It remains the faster vessel and will allow you to arrive at your destination promptly. If anything, you can outrun bad weather with a catamaran.

Monohulls are generally designed to operate pleasantly with the sailing elements. This means that they won't fight these elements and will, in turn, offer slow but sure sailing. However, they do not have a lower wetted surface area and are certainly much slower when compared to catamarans. They can, nonetheless, be a great choice for sailing upwind.

Verdict: When it comes to speed, the catamaran wins hands down. No argument.

Needless to say, a catamaran is designed with two parallel hulls that give it a more reliable form of stability. This is crucial in preventing heeling and capsizing while also mitigating any chances of rolling when speeding. This stability is also of great importance in eliminating seasickness for passengers.

The level of stability that a catamaran has is one of the main reasons why capsizing is a very rare occurrence. A catamaran can lurch when the tops of the waves are at a certain distance, thereby leading to less bobbing.

The stability of a monohull will always be questioned, especially when compared to a catamaran. To put it into perspective, a monohull is four times more likely to capsize than a catamaran because its design means that it has less stability. If anything, a mono's single-beam design makes it seven times more likely to feel the effects of heeling than a catamaran of the same size. In essence, heeling is a major problem in monohulls.

Verdict: The high level of stability that a catamaran brings to sailing will make even a novice sailor feel more confident sailing on a catamaran. Differently, a monohull is less stable and seems to be in constant rolling and pitching motion, which makes it very unstable and unsafe to walk around the deck.

Maneuverability

In most cases, cats always have twin engines, set almost 20 feet apart. This will not only give you superb close control in tight situations but certainly removes the need for a bow thruster. While it may seem redundant to have twin engines on a cat, you'll appreciate the importance of the second engine if the first engine develops a mechanical issue while you're out there on the water.

The shallow drafts of the catamaran also play a major role in maneuverability in the sense that you can navigate into places where you can't get with a monohull such as close to the shore without thinking about running aground.

From a different point of view, a monohull can be better in terms of maneuverability since you won't be dealing with two hulls. A monohull can also make sharp turns and even sail through narrow channels and tight spaces, which is almost impossible with a catamaran. Additionally, a monohull has a higher hull displacement, which is essential in reducing the adverse effects of crosswinds, especially in tight conditions.

Verdict: The differences in terms of maneuverability are slight in both the catamaran and monohull. The fair verdict here is a draw.

Docking and Anchorage

With no ballast or a considerable keel, the overall weight of a cat is significantly reduced. This makes it more lightweight and this is why it wouldn't be uncommon for a 36+ foot catamaran to explore some of the shallow areas that a monohull wouldn't dare reach.

However, the wider and unique size of a cat means that it won't easily fit on a traditional slip and this needs a unique set of skills and careful planning to anchor at most docks. This means that finding the right space at the dock can be quite difficult, so you may have to take a dinghy to the shore.

A monohull is a lot easier to dock as it takes less space compared to a catamaran. This means that your docking, hauling, and slipping charges will be much less than those of a catamaran.

Verdict: Does it make any sense to bring two boats to the shore? Well, this is what you do when you have a catamaran and it certainly loses to the mono as far as docking and anchorage are concerned.

Ride Comfort

A comfortable ride is, without a doubt, one of the most important things to consider when looking for the right boat for you.

The fact that a catamaran is designed with a wider footprint is of great importance in mitigating the negative effects of unpredictable rolling and pitching that sailing is known for. A catamaran has a broad surface area, which makes it more comfortable and stable. As such, it's a lot easier and safer to cook while sailing.

Again, your passengers will be less prone to seasickness in a catamaran because there's less pitching and a cat doesn't roll from swell to swell as it happens in a monohull. That's not all; walking on the deck of a catamaran is a lot easier and safer since the boat is flat. This makes reefing much easier and safer and your chances of falling overboard are greatly reduced. More importantly, it's more pleasurable to sleep in a catamaran because it never heels.

In terms of ride comfort, a monohull offers smooth sailing as it doesn't slap or pound the water like a catamaran. This is because it works harmoniously with the sailing element and doesn't fight it like a catamaran, especially when sailing upwind. However, seasickness brought about by constant rolling and pitching of a monohull.

Verdict: If you want to have a comfortable sailing ride, a catamaran has many benefits than a monohull as long as it has a superb bridge deck clearance that disperses wave action.

Maintenance

A catamaran is general designed with two of everything. From the two hulls to the two engines, you seem to get things double, which can be reliable when sailing if there's an issue with one part. In other words, you always have a backup.

However, the costs of maintenance can be high if you have to maintain the boat, even though you can still use one part if the other part isn't working.

The fact that you only have single parts means that you have to be very careful and ensure that your monohull vessel is maintained or repaired regularly. Fortunately, the costs of maintenance and repairs are greatly reduced when compared to those of a catamaran.

Verdict: It's highly doubtful that you'll take your catamaran out if one of the two hulls or engines are faulty. The monohull wins this.

The costs of a catamaran are substantially high since everything seems to come in pairs. However, catamarans are known to have high resale values, very low depreciation rates, and can sell a lot faster than monohulls because they're more popular with modern sailors. But because catamarans aren't widely manufactured in the United States, their costs are still high as you'll have to include the delivery costs.

When deciding to buy a monohull vessel, you should keep in mind that they're widely available on the market so their costs might be a bit lower compared to catamarans. Again, their low maintenance cost will work to your advantage.

Verdict: The costs of buying and maintaining a monohull are quite low, so it's the best choice if you're on a tight budget but still want to enjoy sailing. Catamarans are very costly to build and are more expensive than monohulls.

The amount of deck space afforded by a catamaran is huge and always very spacious. The amount of space that a cat can afford you is one of the main reasons why you should choose it if you're looking for comfort or planning to live aboard the vessel.

On the contrary, monohulls are narrower when compared to catamarans; hence they have a very limited deck space. This is particularly mitigated by the fact that they have additional storage space.

Verdict: A catamaran has a lot more deck space and wins on this.

Load Distribution

Unlike monohulls, catamarans are rectangular and are more stable. This is essential in giving the passengers more freedom without necessarily having to worry about how their weight is distributed inside the boat.

A monohull is almost similar to standing on one leg and balancing can be quite overwhelming. This means that the weight of the passengers will have to be evenly distributed to ensure that the boat is balanced. Of course, this will limit the freedom of passengers and any imbalance might make the boat capsize.

Verdict: You don't have to worry about load distribution in a catamaran but this can be a negative issue in a monohull.

Fuel Efficiency

If you want to save money by reducing the fuel costs, a catamaran is an ideal option. A cat generally experiences little drag or resistance and doesn't need lots of fuel to move. They also have a steady rise in speed, which means that there will be no sudden increase in fuel consumption.

In comparison, the level of drag created due to greater displacement in a monohull vessel means that there will be a higher resistance and this translates to higher fuel consumption.

Verdict: A monohull consumes more fuel than a catamaran, so a cat is an ideal option if you're looking for fuel-efficiency.

In Conclusion

To this end, it's easy to see that a catamaran comes out on top as the best option on many fronts. This doesn't mean that a monohull doesn't have its advantages. Of course, it has both advantages and disadvantages just like a catamaran does.

And even though the catamaran comes out on top, the final decision is on you and may depend on your personal preferences. Whatever you choose, make sure that you enjoy your sailing vacation.

Related Articles

Daniel Wade

I've personally had thousands of questions about sailing and sailboats over the years. As I learn and experience sailing, and the community, I share the answers that work and make sense to me, here on Life of Sailing.

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FUEL EFFICIENCY : Power Catamaran VS Monohull

Thanks to their fine hulls and narrow bow entry a power catamaran hull creates very little bow wake and experiences minimal resistance to get onto plane. The net result of these highly efficient hulls provide powercat owners with lower planning speeds and greater top end performance. This enhanced efficiency results in increased cruising range and significantly greater fuel economy. In comparison to traditional motor yachts, catamarans have a smoother rise in speed and steady fuel burn. In addition powercats experience minimal spikes in fuel consumption throughout the power band. As an added bonus, power catamarans require less throttle to achieve equivalent speeds. This pust less strain on engines, significantly increasing their working life and reducing maintenance requirements and potential failures.

” The power catamaran delivered 36% better fuel efficiency at 3000 rpm “

Thanks to tests performed by Yamaha outboards, the above chart demonstrates the outcome of a like for like test of a 29’ power catamaran vs a 29’ monohull. Both vessels supporting 2x 300hp Yamaha petrol outboards. This chart demonstrates the miles per gallon (MPG) fuel burn at equivalent rpms. What is not immediately obvious in this chart however is that at any given rpm the power catamaran is typically running at a higher speed, we have therefore noted the speeds achieved at 3000 rpm to demonstrate the difference. Across the speed range the power catamaran achieves a similar speed to the monohull at around 500 rpm less.

Why should I care about fuel efficiency?

So what does this really mean? Well let’s consider this data in real life scenario: Miami, Fl to Bimini in the Bahamas is about 50 Nautical Miles.  Assuming you were wanting to make the trip and not break the bank you are motoring at 3000 rpm. You would make this trip in 4 hrs in a monohull burning 45 gallons of fuel, at $3.30/gallon that trip will cost you $148.50. In comparison you’ll do the same trip in a powercat in just under 3 hours using 33 gallons for $110. Or, if you are happy spending the $150, you’ll do the trip in just over 1 hour.

Learn more about the MAKAI M37 HERE>>

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How to Work Out the Fuel Consumption for Your Next Sailing Adventure

Posted in Travel Advice on 22nd December 2016 schedule Duration : 3 Minute Read

It doesn’t matter where you are in the world, you’ll find a sailing fanatic in a marine showroom asking ‘So, how much does this thing burn?’ It’s a common question and for obvious reasons. You wouldn’t buy a new car without checking its fuel usage first. The same applies to a new boat. Except that accurate fuel calculations can mean the difference between smooth sailing and a red-faced call to the coastguard.

So, it’s important that you get familiar with your boat . Over time, you’ll grow used to its quirks and habits. One day, you’ll be able to throw out fuel estimates in seconds. However, a new boat means starting from scratch and doing things the old fashioned way; with a pen, paper, and lots of numbers. Once you know how fast your tanks empty, you can adjust your fuel provisions to suit all kinds of different open water adventures. 

This guide to calculating fuel consumption, brought to you by Asia Pacific’s catamaran specialists , will help you plan and prepare for epic sailing trips.

Getting to Grips with the Basics

Sailing a boat isn’t like driving a car. There are all kinds of circumstances and conditions that can change the way that fuel burns and, specifically, the rate at which it is consumed by the engines. For instance, the calmness of the water is a major factor. If you’re sailing in choppy, turbulent seas, you’ll naturally burn fuel faster. This is why you should always check the  forecasted conditions before you head out and adjust your fuel provisions to match.

Making Quick Calculations

For sailing boats, fuel is measured in gallons per hour. The rate of consumption is calculated by working out the pounds of fuel burned up per horsepower developed, per hour. If you know that diesel weighs around 7.2lbs per gallon and gasoline approximately 6.1lbs per gallon, you can start to make pretty accurate estimates. The secret to preparing for long sailing trips is identifying a baseline; knowing how your vessel burns in perfect conditions enables you to decide on sensible increases for stormier voyages.

The typical in tune four stroke gas engine consumes around 0.50lbs of fuel, per hour, for every unit of horsepower. On the other hand, a similar sized diesel engine consumes somewhere closer to 0.40lbs. It is important to remember that these numbers don’t accommodate for weather conditions, the drag of the vessel, and whether or not you’re sailing into the wind. However, they can help you to identify that baseline and work out how much fuel you need to carry for a days’ long trip.  

Crunching the Numbers

There’s a handy formula provided below. Grab yourself a pen and some paper and see if you can crunch the numbers for your own boat.

All you’ve got to do is input its horsepower rating and multiply it by the specific fuel consumption average . Divide that number by the fuel specific weight and you should get a nice, round estimate. 

How to Estimate Maximum Engine Fuel Usage

GPH = (specific fuel consumption x HP)/fuel specific weight

Constants for Gas/Diesel Vessels

Specific Fuel Consumption: 0.50lb.per HP/0.40lb per HP.

Fuel Specific Weight: 6.1lb.per gallon/7.2lb per gallon.

Formula for a 300HP Diesel Engine

GPH = (0.4 x 300)/ 7.2 = 120/7.2 = 16.6 GPH

Formula for a 300HP Gas Engine

GPH = (0.50 x 300)/ 6.1 = 150/6.1 = 24.5 GPH

Keeping Track of the Averages

Don’t forget that calculating averages in this way doesn’t give you an exact fuel consumption reading. You’ll burn less at cruising speeds. If your boat has digitally controlled fuel injection or direct injection, you’ll burn fuel slower. What it does allow you to do is come up with a sensible ballpark figure, which you can adjust and tweak until it fits the conditions of your trip.

Posted By JenniferA

Updated : 22nd December 2016 | Words : 633 | Views : 1996

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Cruising on a Power Multihull

Cruising multihulls have the reputation of being fuel efficient compared to equivalent single hull units. Having two or three hulls rather than one would seem to be an intrinsic advantage... but in these times of uncertainty regarding diesel and gasoline prices and above all of ecological awareness, the need to further reduce consumption is becoming increasingly urgent. How can you achieve this when your engines often exceed 300 HP? What are the best ways to go about it? In this article, we give you some tips on how to reduce the time you spend at the pump.

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The Power Multihull sector has experienced a remarkable boom in recent years - few sectors in the boating industry can boast double-digit growth. In this buyer’s guide - which has become a special motor issue over the past two years - no less than 120 models are presented. Out of all these 15 to 100-foot power multihulls, almost all of which are habitable (we have deliberately stopped at 100 feet), the category we have chosen for this issue is the 40 to 50 footers. These models already have most of the attributes for a successful summer or long-distance cruise. Charter companies like Sunsail/The Moorings operate powercats from 43 (soon to be 40) to 53 feet. In this issue’s buyer’s guide, the seventeen 40 - 50 foot power multihulls are all catamarans equipped with two engines whose power ranges from... 90 to 860 HP. By filtering out the most extreme engines (including outboards), we arrive at a convergence of between 250 and 400 HP inboard. We will use this order of power as a benchmark to help us understand how to limit fuel consumption under way.

Two hulls are better than one!

These benefits begin, as we mentioned above, with powercats having a much more frugal appetite than their monohull counterparts. When under way, the drag of two thin hulls is much lower than that of a single wide hull, and this leads to much lower fuel consumption. If we compare a powercat with a boat of the same volume, the evidence is conclusive. Prestige Yachts, which recently arrived on the power catamaran market, would not disagree. The Prestige 590F burns about 30% more diesel than the brand new M48, which requires just 12 gal (45 l)/h at 10 knots and 20 gal (75 l)/h at 14 knots. Yet the powercat has a similar livability despite being 11 feet shorter. It should be noted that the M48 manages with two 320 HP engines while her big sistership requires two 600 HP units. However, the monohull has an advantage when it comes to its top speed - it can reach nearly 30 knots, while the M48 will not go faster than 20 knots. Also worthy of note is that while in the past, a top speed of more than 20 knots was a determining factor in the purchasing decision of boatowners, this trend is rapidly disappearing. For the first models of our target category, the advantage in terms of consumption in favor of powercats remains. If we look at a Sedan version with minimal windage like the Fountaine Pajot MY4.S, the two 250 HP engines consume 6.6 gal (25 l)/h at 11 knots while the Bavaria E40 trawler, with its 2 x 300 HP, burns 8.7 gal (33 l)/h at the same speed. At 15 knots, once the schedule is set, the on-board instrumentation will show respectively 10.6 gal (40 l) and 13.2 gal (50 l)/h - that is to say a 20% fuel saving for the catamaran, which is considerably more welcoming for its passengers. Let’s close this comparison between powercat and monohull with a brief incursion into the top of the range, well beyond our 40-50 feet. On board a Fountaine Pajot 67 Power equipped with a ...

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I have a new Fountaine Pajot MY6 with Volvo IPS 650 motors being delivered to the BVI in February 2023. I am wondering why (and if) the incredibly efficient Sharrow propeller will ever be available for this boat. See https://boattest.com/Sharrow-Propeller. If the tests are correct, as they appear to be, then this will be a great step forward to better fuel efficiency.

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Powercat Fuel Consumption Comparisons

by Malcolm Tennant Multihull Design LTD

Frequently in magazines and on web sites you will find claims of  ‘greater speeds’, ‘lower fuel consumption’, ‘longer range’ for a particular design. Here at Malcolm Tennant Design Ltd, we pride ourselves at producing fuel efficient powerboats which give high speeds on displacement hulls with as low as possible horsepower requirements. Our efficient hulls allow for longer ranges with a given amount of fuel. To make sure we are delivering the best possible performance to our customers, when possible, we like to compare our hull performance data with other boats as a validation of our design ethos.  When fuel consumption tests are published, it allows everybody to look beyond the advertising blurb and estimated performance figures and get down to what a boat is really achieving.

We recently had the 13.6m Escape launched here in New Zealand and had a fuel test completed on her. We managed to find two other published fuel tests for recently launched (2003) vessels of comparable designs. These other two boats have been designed by reputable designers that are competent in designing power multihulls.

The other results are for a round bottomed with chine semi-displacement powercat and a hard chine planing powercat. The fuel consumption was matched to the displacements of the vessels so that the slightly heavier planing cat would not be penalized. Our vessel, the Escape, is a full displacement hull that is Malcolm Tennant’s signature powerboat hull form.

The results are shown in the following graph. Right across the fuel range the Escape was using less fuel than either of her competitors. Her closest rival below 19 knots was the semi-displacement powercat. However, as can be seen from the graph above 10 knots, the Escape is using on average only 65% of the fuel of the semi-displacement vessel! Even below 10 knots the Escape is only burning 60% of the semi’s fuel. This means more than 40% more range for the Escape at a given speed.

At all speeds compared, the planing cat was using more fuel than the Escape. At the planing cat’s drag hump at around 11 knots the Escape was using only 43% of the horsepower of the other boat! Above this speed the other boat gets onto the plane and her fuel consumption begins to drop until 18 knots where it begins to rise once more. At the top speed the Escape reached with her 200 Hp motors of 23 knots she is burning only 90% of the fuel of the planing cat. The planing cat then uses an additional 480 HP (total) for another 6.5 knots of speed! So unless very high speeds are required in a boat of this length, the displacement cat is superior.

This figure also shows the second advantage of the displacement cat in that the speed can be reduced to a slower cruise speed for a greatly increased range. If we look at 15 knots for example, the Escape is only using 50% of the fuel of the planing vessel. For a given amount of fuel this equates to twice the range! To increase her range, the planing cat could increase her speed to 18 knots. At this point she would still only have 55% the range of the Escape. The other option for the planing cat would be to reduce her speed to 8 knots to achieve the same range as the Escape achieves at 15 knots. At 15 knots the Escape has a range of 616 nm (with 10 % reserve) and she would cover this distance in 41 hours. The planing cat would take 77 hours to complete this trip. This means she would arrive 1.5 days later! On a return trip cruise you would lose three days out of your holiday just to passage making!

This has confirmed for us that our displacement powercat hull form is the ideal cruising power boat,  capable of both high top speeds and extended cruising ranges that cannot be matched by the other conventional hull forms compared here.  To the owner, this equates to lower fuel cost and more time spent on holiday and less time passage making, which should keep everybody happy!

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Calculating Boat Fuel Consumption for Smart Boating

Efficiently managing fuel consumption is a critical skill for boaters, not only affecting the range of your vessel, but also impacting overall expenses. But unlike cars or trucks, calculating a boat’s fuel usage is more complex due to constantly shifting sea conditions.

In this comprehensive guide, we will dive into the intricacies of estimating and computing fuel consumption for boats, empowering you to make informed choices for an optimal boating experience.

Key Points for Fuel Consumption

Determining the amount of fuel your boat consumes holds several significant advantages:

Range Projection

Understanding your boat’s fuel economy–the amount of fuel needed per mile or nautical mile–helps anticipate the safe distance you can cover with a specific fuel capacity.

Cost Analysis

Calculating fuel usage offers valuable insights into operational costs, particularly when comparing different boats or marine engines for purchase.

Comparison Tool

Many boaters rely on fuel consumption charts or use boat tests as benchmarks for comparison. This allows for smarter decision-making when selecting a new boat or engine based on efficiency.

Due to the ever-changing nature of sea conditions, boat fuel efficiency is measured in gallons per hour (GPH). The metric used is pounds of fuel consumed per horsepower generated per hour, commonly referred to as ‘brake-specific fuel consumption.’

Keep in mind that gasoline weighs approximately 6.1 pounds per gallon, while diesel comes in at around 7.2 pounds per gallon.

The relentless hum of a well-tuned four-stroke gasoline engine can consume an impressive 0.50 pounds of fuel per hour for every unit of horsepower it churns out.

And let’s not forget the tireless diesel engine, which burns through 0.4 pounds of fuel per hour for each unit of horsepower it generates.

But be warned, these numbers only scratch the surface–factors like boat drag, sea conditions, and efficiency losses can greatly affect your fuel burn.

To navigate through this maze, use this formula to estimate your boat or engine’s fuel consumption:

GPH = (specific fuel consumption x HP) / Fuel Specific Weight

Gas = 6.1 lb. per gal

Diesel = 7.2 lb. per gal

The key to unlocking maximum horsepower lies in these formulas, optimized for the engine’s peak performance at wide-open throttle. But don’t be fooled–fuel consumption actually decreases during cruising speeds.

And with advanced electronic and direct fuel injection systems, efficiency is taken to a whole new level.

Unlocking Boating Performance

The roar of the boat motor and the number of miles it can go on a single gallon of fuel are crucial elements to consider while out on the water.

These two concepts, known as ‘boat motor pitch’ and ‘miles per gallon (MPG),’ hold the key to unlocking optimal boating performance. So pay attention, because your next adventure may depend on it.

Boat Motor Pitch

The pitch of a boat motor typically refers to the pitch of the boat’s propeller. The propeller pitch is the distance that the propeller would move in one revolution if it were moving through a solid, like a screw through wood. It’s measured in inches.

A higher pitch means the propeller is designed to move the boat further with each revolution, which can be efficient for speed but may reduce the engine’s revolutions per minute (RPM).

A lower pitch propeller will move the boat less distance per revolution but can increase RPM, potentially offering better acceleration and power for carrying heavy loads.

Choosing the right propeller pitch is crucial for optimal boat performance. It needs to be matched with the boat’s size, weight, and the motor’s power to ensure the engine operates within its recommended RPM range for peak efficiency.

Miles Per Gallon 

MPG in the context of boats refers to the fuel efficiency of the boat. It indicates how many miles the boat can travel on one gallon of fuel.

Calculating MPG in boats is more complex than in cars due to variable factors like water conditions, boat weight, and hull design. A boat’s MPG can vary significantly based on these factors.

Higher MPG indicates better fuel efficiency, which is desirable for reducing fuel costs and environmental impact.

Boaters often look for ways to improve their MPG by optimizing the boat’s load, maintaining the engine, and using the boat at efficient speeds.

Assessing Fuel Usage and MPG

Begin by filling your boat’s tank to a precise level and recording the gallons added.

Then, set sail and take note of the distance traveled while considering sea conditions and cruising speed.

Upon return to the dock, refill the tank to the same level and record the additional gallons needed.

Using this information, you can determine the amount of fuel consumed during your trip and calculate your MPG using the formula: Distance Traveled / Gallons Consumed.

This equation is a valuable tool for determining the boat’s fuel efficiency and can be used to plan more efficient journeys in the future.

Many modern engines come equipped with gauges that display the total fuel consumption during a trip, as well as real-time updates on fuel efficiency to assist in saving fuel.

Maximizing Fuel Efficiency 

The rumble of a boat motor is like a heartbeat to any avid boater. But did you know that how you trim your boat and manage fuel can make or break your entire experience on the water?

These two concepts are key players in maximizing performance and efficiency, leading you to smooth sailing and unforgettable adventures.

Boat Motor Trim

The trim of a boat motor refers to the angle of the outboard motor or stern drive in relation to the transom of the boat. Adjusting the trim changes the angle at which the hull meets the water.

Proper trimming can significantly affect the boat’s performance. When a boat is trimmed correctly, it runs more efficiently, achieving optimal speed and handling. The goal is to find the trim sweet spot where the boat planes smoothly on top of the water with minimal resistance.

Trimming the motor too low (in) causes the bow of the boat to sit lower in the water, increasing drag and reducing speed and efficiency. Trimming too high (out) can cause the propeller to ventilate, leading to loss of propulsion and potential engine damage.

Fuel Economy

Fuel economy in boating refers to how efficiently a boat uses fuel, typically measured in GPH or MPG.

Optimizing the trim of the boat can lead to better fuel economy. When a boat is properly trimmed, it reduces drag and allows the boat to move through the water with less effort and power. This efficiency translates into less fuel consumption for the distance traveled.

Additionally, a well-trimmed boat can also reduce engine strain and potentially extend the life of the motor.

Balancing Trim and Fuel Economy

Achieving the best fuel economy involves finding the optimal trim setting where the boat runs most efficiently. This setting varies depending on the boat’s design, load, water conditions, and speed.

Boaters often use trim tabs or power trim (adjustable with buttons or a lever on the throttle control) to adjust the trim level while underway, constantly fine-tuning for the best performance and fuel efficiency.

It’s important to monitor the boat’s performance indicators such as speed, RPM, and fuel consumption gauge, if available, to determine the most efficient trim setting.

Final Thoughts

Fuel up for success on the open seas by mastering your boat’s fuel consumption and miles per gallon. With this crucial knowledge, boaters can navigate their vessels with confidence and make informed decisions for efficient and cost-effective travels.

Don’t sail blindly–install a fuel monitoring system to track your consumption for ongoing management and worry-free long-distance cruises.

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Fuel consumption on 40' Hunter

• Thread starter Doug13104
• Start date Apr 19, 2010
• Hunter Owner Forums

Just wondering if someone can give me a rough idea what the fuel consumption would be on a 40' Hunter sailboat? The engine is a Yanmar 4JH3 44Hp diesel with a three blade Max Prop. My first sail, with this new to me boat, will be a 700 mile trip to my home Port. Thanks, Doug  

Don S/V ILLusion

Figure 1 gal/hr at a reasonable cruising RPM, slightly more if below 2000 RPM. You can find burn rates vs. RPM at the Yanmarhelp.com site.  

Doug, The burn rate for a 4JHE in a Hunter 40 Legend at 2,700 - 2,800 rpm (which is the correct rpm for this engine) will be about 1 gal per hour. So 6.5 knots average is 7.5 MPH so 700 miles will take the better part of 100 gals of fuel and five days. Unless you can sail most of it or a lot of it depends on the route you will be taking. Where is the trip to and from? Open ocean? My Hunter 40 came from Ft. Pierce FL to Beaufort NC on the 38 gals in the tank and six 5-gal Gerry cans on deck. Open ocean direct 3.5 days Just as important as to how much fuel you have is does it have a Racor between the main tank and the engine and do you have a good supply of filters for the Racor and the filter that is on the engine? At least 5 of each. If you are in open ocean the stuff on the bottom and sides of the tank is going to be jarred loose and it will clog the filters. Capt. Ron you want to chime in here?  

I agree w/ Capt. Vinny, you don't state where this 700 mile trip takes place from where to where?? meaning are you offshore, ICW, a combination of both?? an example of the variables you might encounter offshore trip south to north you could take advantage of the gulf stream and pick up 2/3 knot boost., going the opposite way prevaling winds are starting to switch out out of the SE or SW could be on you nose?? ICW you have tidal currents that will affect you and knock your speed up or down depending on how you catch the current. and as Vinny said take plenty of extra fuel filters for the primary as well as the engine filter. aand if you don't have a Racor primary filter on the boat I would sure put one on before I made the trip. On my delivery from Ft. Lauderdale to (planned New Bern, NC) 2nd day out about 60 miles off the coast of SC an un-forecasted Northeaster blew up (25 to 30 knot's and 12'+ seas for 16 hours) end result was running out of fuel 120 miles offshore of Wrightsville Beach NC (40 gal tank plus 4/ 5gal gerry jugs) and had to get towed in to Wrightsville Beach, NC no problem there, but it added an extra day to our trip as we continued the balance of the trip motoring up the ICW, and trust me it's no fun changing fuel filters in 12'+ seas. The point being, just be prepared for the worst case scenario, because "if it's going to happen, its going to happen out there!" Capt. Ron.;  

About 1 gallon an hour, it is the approximate burn rate for the engine. The boat, wind strength and direction and currents will just determine the speed and range you will have with that burn rate under power.  

When calculating range it is best done on the water, on course accordying to to the prevalent conditions. A 15% of the fuel in the tank should be considered as a reserve and not used as part of the calculations. Not all the fuel in the tank is usable as a couple of gallons are usually required to prevent the fuel pickup from sucking air. If you are doing a coastal trip you can plan for refueling points but if it is an offshore passage you will need need to carry all the fuel you can and then have a conservation plan.  

I always assume 1 gallon per hour. However, on my trip from San Francisco to La Paz, MX. I was closer to .75 gallons per hour. This was on a '08 Hunter41, 54HP Yanmar. Virtually all downwind and about 22-2400rpm. I was very easy on the engine.  

Graysailor said: Virtually all downwind and about 22-2400rpm. I was very easy on the engine. Click to expand

Whoa. Lets see, the guy drives from SF to Mexico @ 2200-2400 rpm and he doesn't get the engine up to "temp"? I don't think so. What fact are you refering to?  

waternwaves

Fred7825 said: Whoa. Lets see, the guy drives from SF to Mexico @ 2200-2400 rpm and he doesn't get the engine up to "temp"? I don't think so. What fact are you refering to? Click to expand

Vinny said: Not easy at all. The time on the engine is the time and if at that rpm you did not maintain the internal parts to the proper temp then you were harder than if you would have run at 80% of full throttle. Just a fact. Click to expand

Graysailor said: Ran at 75% on the low side and 80% on the high side. Engine temp was just fine. Not sure what you are referring too. Click to expand

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What is a sailing Catamaran and its advantages in navigation

What is a catamaran and how has it revolutionized the sailing experience? Catamarans, boats with two parallel hulls, have transformed sailing with their numerous advantages. Thanks to their design, they provide a more stable and safe navigation in various maritime conditions. These types of vessels stand out for being more efficient, consuming less fuel due to their aerodynamic structure. Furthermore, their spacious interior and greater height offer unparalleled comfort to passengers. With a reduced draft, catamarans have the ability to venture into shallow waters, expanding exploration possibilities. Their extensive flotation surface facilitates maneuvers, and their prolonged lifespan, combined with their commitment to the environment, has cemented their popularity in recent times. Now that you know what a catamaran is, let’s look at its advantages.

Advantages of the catamaran in sailing

Stability and safety at sea.

Catamarans guarantee extraordinarily stable and safe navigation thanks to their two parallel hulls. This unique structure allows them to remain firm in the water, ensuring a smooth journey, even when the sea becomes stormy. Both hulls work in harmony to balance the weight of the vessel, minimizing the chances of capsizing and abrupt movements. This additional stability is a hallmark for sailors, whether on extended voyages or maneuvers in ports.

Efficiency and reduced fuel consumption

The efficiency of catamarans in sailing is undeniable. Their twin-hull design minimizes water resistance, maximizing aerodynamics. This allows the vessel to harness more wind energy, translating into significantly lower fuel consumption compared to single-hull boats. This efficiency is not only beneficial for the wallet but is also an ecological advantage by reducing harmful gas emissions.

Spacious living space on board

Catamarans are synonymous with space and comfort. Their twin-hull design provides larger interiors compared to single-hulls, offering more spacious resting areas, cabins, and salons. This translates into a more pleasant and comfortable sailing experience during extended voyages. Additionally, the extra height in the design offers a feeling of openness, creating brighter and more airy environments.

Design features and flotation of a catamaran

A catamaran’s design is characterized by having two parallel hulls, which provides a series of distinctive advantages in terms of flotation and stability compared to traditional single-hulls. Next, we’ll highlight the main features of this innovative design.

Two parallel hulls design

The revolutionary design of the catamaran with two parallel hulls offers unique advantages in terms of flotation and stability. This structure allows for more balanced navigation, preventing abrupt movements and providing a more pleasant journey. Moreover, their reduced draft allows access to shallow water areas, opening a range of exploration possibilities. The extensive flotation surface facilitates maneuvers, allowing precise turns even in adverse conditions.

Reduced draft and access to shallow waters

Traveling on a catamaran is an unparalleled experience. The feeling of space, breadth, and comfort surpasses that of any conventional vessel. This comfort extends from the spacious lounges to the cabins, providing a perfect environment to relax and enjoy the journey. Additionally, the robustness of their design ensures a longer lifespan and superior resistance to ocean forces.

Flotation surface and ease of maneuvering

Catamarans are equipped with a larger flotation surface compared to single-hulls. This feature translates into greater stability and maneuverability, making navigation in confined spaces, such as narrow ports or docks, easier. Additionally, the distribution of flotation across the two hulls provides a greater sense of balance and control during navigation. Catamarans are agile and can make more precise turns, proving especially useful when maneuvering in adverse wind or current conditions.

Sailing experience on a sailing catamaran

Comfort and spacious interior ambiance.

One of the main advantages of sailing on a catamaran is the extensive comfort and spacious ambiance it offers inside. Thanks to their design with two parallel hulls, catamarans provide a much larger living space compared to traditional single-hulls. Passengers can enjoy a feeling of spaciousness and freedom, with more room to move and relax during the voyage.

Moreover, the greater free height inside the catamaran creates a more open and bright environment, providing a more comfortable sailing experience for all crew members. Whether you’re enjoying the living room, preparing a delicious meal in the kitchen, or resting in the cabins, there’s more space available to enjoy on board.

Longer lifespan and structural resistance

Sailing catamarans offer a longer lifespan compared to other vessels due to their structural design. Having two hulls separated by a rigid platform reduces the risk of long-term structural damage. This means that catamarans can better withstand the forces of the sea and maintain their integrity over a longer period.

In addition, the design of catamarans allows them to “cut” through waves rather than “dance” over them, reducing wear on the hull and propulsion systems. This, combined with robust construction and high-quality materials, contributes to greater resistance and durability in the water.

Respect for the environment and growing popularity

The popularity of catamarans has grown in part due to their sustainable design. Being more efficient and consuming less fuel, they have a lower environmental impact, making them the perfect choice for those environmentally conscious. The growing concern for the health of our oceans has led to increased demand for vessels like the catamaran, which combines a superior sailing experience with ecological commitment.

Furthermore, the rising awareness of the importance of preserving the oceans and reducing the ecological footprint has generated greater interest in environmentally-friendly vessels, such as sailing catamarans. More and more people are looking to enjoy sailing without compromising the health of our marine ecosystems, leading to a surge in the popularity and demand for sailing catamarans worldwide.

Now that we’ve told you everything you need to know about this incredible vessel, it’s worth noting that we have two catamarans. Following historical tradition, they each have their own names, “Attraction” and “Inspiration”. Come and meet them in Palma de Mallorca.

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How Much Fuel Does a Sailboat Use?

Whenever I dream about long passages, I always wonder how much fuel a sailboat uses. I want to know how much fuel I should bring to carry on. So I crunched the numbers and in this article I'll share my results with you.

How much fuel does a sailboat use? Typically, an average sailboat uses between 1 - 2 gallons per hour. Small sailboats with smaller engines will use about 0.5 - 1 gallon per hour. Large sailboats use between 2 - 3 GPH. Of course, fuel consumption greatly varies with different engine sizes and water and weather conditions.

I'll go into the different factors that affect fuel consumption below. But first, let's get some ballpark figures for different sailboat sizes.

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Fuel consumption for different sizes, factors that affect fuel consumption, how to optimize fuel economy, how much fuel should i carry, related questions.

We measure fuel consumption in Gallons Per Hour (GPH), because the time the engine is running is the only fixed variable here. The distance you cover isn't fixed at all. Most sailboats cruise at a speed of 4 - 8 knots under engine. So the range on one hour of motoring can be anywhere from 4 - 8 nautical miles.

Of course, the size of the boat (and engine) and fuel consumption are related. So let's take a look at what different sizes use on average:

• small sailboats use on average 0.5 - 1 GPH
• mid-sized sailboats use on average 0.9 - 2 GPH
• large sailboats use on average 1.8 - 3.3 GPH

Larger 50HP engines may use up to 2.5 GPH if the conditions are bad and you max it out at, let's say, 8 knots.

Let's get a bit more detailed even. I want to know a range for each engine size. I've found the average fuel consumption in the Yanmar manual.

• Yanmar uses an average fuel consumption of 170 grams per hour per horsepower . - I want to remind you that these are the manufacturer's numbers, so they're probably optimistic.
• So I've also added a more conservative estimate, based on 250 grams per hour per horsepower .

So if you want to calculate your engine's fuel consumption, simply multiply 170 or 250 with the amount of HP. The number is in liters, you have to convert it to gallons.

Here are the manufacturers estimates:

Here are my estimates for bad conditions:

As you can see, fuel use widely varies. There are a lot of factors that determine how much your engine actually burn. Some of them are:

• engine size, type, and power
• hull type and shape
• wind direction
• water conditions

Engine size and power - Larger engines use more fuel. But if you're engine is too small, it could potentially use more fuel. The engine has to work too hard making it rev up (it runs on maximum RPM), burning more fuel. Most of the times people have too big of an engine, and sailboats don't require very large engines. But if you're on the open sea and have a large boat (let's say 40' and up), you want something stronger to deal with the current and wind. Most sailboats are fine with a 30HP engine in most circumstances.

There are some other engine factors, like type the number of cylinders. 2-stroke engines are more powerful but also use a lot more fuel for example. The right size propellor is also important.

If you want to read more on how to choose the right engine size, I've written this short guide on calculating the right size. You can find it here .

Hull type and shape - The shape of the hull determines how much water it displaces. The bulkier the shape, the more water it has to push away, so the more fuel it uses. Also, multihulls displace a lot less water, making them way more efficient. You'll see when you drive a catamaran: it uses WAY less fuel. Flat bottom boats use even less (but are less appropriate for sailing).

Wind direction - Driving straight into a headwind could almost double fuel consumption. Strong winds create high waves which will cause your fuel economy to sink.

Water conditions - As mentioned, high waves are not good for fuel consumption. If you have to head into a strong current, that's not good as well. Very strong (ocean) currents can also double the burn rate.

If you need to save your fuel, but you need to get out, for example in an emergency, you want to make sure you get as far as possible as fast as possible. So how to make it happen?

Don't drive at hull speed . This will cause the engine to rev up to maximum RPM. Engines are most efficient between 75-85% of their maximum RPM. It really improves mileage a lot if you take it down a knot.

Find the right course . Take the wind direction and current into account. Just as you would while sailing (but don't go overboard with this either).

Reduce the weight . If you carry ballast, now is the time to unload it. Lowering weight means a lot more range on that tank.

Pick the right engine size . Don't overpower and don't underpower your boat. You want your engine to run at the optimal RPM.

Choose the right prop size - The right propellor is crucial to get an efficiently-running motor. Too small and the engine will rev up in the red, too large and the engine won't even come near the sweet spot.

Make sure your hull is clean. A clean and waxed hull really helps with reducing friction from the water, so it increases your mileage.

Don't drive at maximal hull speed. If you have the right engine size, the optimal speed should be about 2/3 of the maximum hull speed.

Want to know the maximum hull speed for different boat lengths? Check my article with lots of examples here .

If you want to find the sweet spot for your motor, you need to find the specific fuel consumption curve of the engine (SFC) and also the propulsion efficiency curve. The best advice I can give here is to ask the salesperson you've bought the engine from. He or she usually has the data.

Taking it easy on speed is also better for the engine, so it will last longer and require less maintenance.

But it might not be worth your time. Sometimes you just want to get out there fast. Sure, by cruising at 6 knots instead of 8, you increased your range with (let's say) 10%, but you've also increased your drive time by dozens of hours.

Some sailors would argue the more the better. And sure, it's tempting to rev up the engine once you reach 3 or 4 knots. Especially if you have a long way ahead of you. But more fuel means more weight means more fuel consumption. So what's the sweet spot?

I'd say the ideal range for ocean passage is about 400-500 NM of fuel. The average motoring speed of sailboats is 6 knots. That translates to roughly 60-80 hours of motor time. At 2 GPH, you would need about 125-160 gallons of fuel.

If your boat is a bit more efficient, let's say 1 GPH, you would need about 60 - 80 gallons.

How Many Gallons of Fuel Does a Sailboat Hold? On average, a sailboat holds anywhere between 30 - 60 gallons of fuel on board. This provides a theoretical range of 350 - 600 nautical miles at a fuel consumption of 0.5 GPH. In practice, fuel consumption averages at 1 GPH, making the range 200 - 300 NM.

shane johnson

man i had a real hard time trying to find real info on fuel regards sail and power vessels. ime tearing my hair out deciding on a liveaboard for me over here in australia, i will be working sometimes so at a marina and other times out on the reef or werever the fish are. ime looking at a great fitted out light 50 footer with 2 yanmar 40 hp in her at the same time a steel 40 fter with sails and 2 50 hp diesels in her.all sails are furling including the mainsail and in my head i think sail would be a safety advantage wouldnt it? but the other is top shelf with room fitout electrics and weight. being 8 ton the steel being 12 ton.

Shawn Buckles

Hi Shane, glad you find the article helpful. If you’re a sailor, I’d say sails are definitely a great backup to have. Personally, I’d only go for the one with sails if I plan on actually sailing the vessel. If not, I’d opt for the larger, fully-outfitted one.

Well, in any case, you’ll have plenty of horses!

Great article. I did spot a calculation error in the fuel numbers. Try applying the specific gravity of diesel fuel to convert from mass in grams to liters of diesel fuel. A typical number for diesel is .823 g/L.

Multiply the results in the tables above by 1/.823 = 1.215 to get the correct consumption results.

e.g. 10 HP @ BSFC of 250g/hr would be 2.5Kg/hr * 1.215 = 3.04L/hr.

David van Niekerk

Dankie Shown Buckles I’m from the Boland (South Africa). I find your article very OK. I know now the fuel consumption of a normal sailboat@ 8kn (14.64km/u) is about 5.1 LPH. BUT, wat is the fuel consumption of a catamaran or even the newe hydrofoil’s? (A small aircraft is about 10+ LPH @80-100km/h)

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Motor Power and Fuel Consumption of Sailing Boats

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Depending on their power, engines use 4 to 8 liters of Diesel Oil per hour. During one-week rental period of a sailing boat, the engine is operated 15 to 30 hours. Depending on their size, the boats have usually 30 to 110 horsepower diesel engines. With engines that do not make too much noise, the boats can make 7-8 nautical miles of speed.

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Passagemaking in a Powercat

[june 7, 2024].

Taking your Powercat to a new cruising ground opens fresh horizons for exploration and fun. It’s really what boat ownership is about. And making the passage yourself can be an incomparable adventure.

But moving your boat is also more demanding than a weekend or vacation out-and-back trip. Once you get more than a day or two from your starting point, you need to be ready for a range of contingencies — you need a plan.

Power catamaran passage-making has a few different concerns than passages under sail, including fuel management. For insight on planning a Powercat passage, we spoke with Captain Calvyn McEvoy, an experienced delivery skipper and instructor.

There are two types of long passages – transiting stretches of coastline and crossing oceans. No matter where you’re headed, or the type of boat you’re moving, you must plan for the basics of food, water, fuel, stopping, weather, and routing. Weather and sea state impacts all boats, and will affect your Powercat’s fuel consumption and range.

Coastal Trips

Moving your Powercat from Ft. Lauderdale up to the Chesapeake or New England is a great way to discover new cruising grounds. It’s a multi-day adventure, most of which is spent on the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW). Being near the coast makes for an easier passage, with plenty of stopping places to refuel, take on supplies, and stop for the night.

Fuel management becomes more about planning refueling and knowing consumption rates, and less about having enough on board. Since you’ll be stopping most nights, you can restock and resupply along the way.

Crossing Oceans

Taking a new Powercat across the Atlantic, say from the construction boatyard in South Africa to Florida, is a big undertaking. We talked about  one new owner’s delivery  in a recent blog, and it can be a rewarding experience.

Heading offshore will compound your fuel planning needs. There aren’t many places to gas-up in the middle of the ocean. You need to carry a lot of extra fuel, and set your pace to maximize range.

“When I did trips from Cape Town to Bahamas,” says McEvoy, “we’d run those boats to get the best range, running one engine at a time at low RPM, making six to eight knots. You can get so much more range.”

Even with that, you’ll need to carry supplemental fuel and maintain very conservative speeds.

Fuel Planning

To effectively plan your trip, you need to know your boat’s capabilities and limits. While Leopard publishes Powercat cruising ranges, weather conditions and differences in load and trim on your boat will impact your actual range.

“Most stated ranges are for a bare boat with not much gear or water on board in flat water,” McEvoy points out. “Add in gear, full tanks, then waves and currents and you’ll be burning more fuel than what’s written on paper.”

Once you’ve owned your boat for a while, you’ll have a better sense of how much fuel it uses at various speeds. Take notes as you learn and keep a log, so you have accurate information instead of guesses or estimates. If you have a fuel flowmeter, keep detailed records of speed, RPMs, conditions and fuel consumption for future reference.

Daily Run Plan

Once you know your daily range, research where you can stop, and where you can refuel. You might not need to refuel daily, but taking on fuel should always be top of mind. If you plan to stop in marinas, you’ll need reservations. Anchoring out for the night gives you more flexibility about when you stop and where.

Plan your stops to be near places where you can easily refuel. Calculate your planned average speed, and how many hours per day you will travel.

Professional delivery crews on time sensitive deliveries may run round the clock and plan 300 mile days or longer while traveling offshore, even on coastal trips. But a Powercat owner with their family or a few friends heading up the ICW might aim for a more relaxed pace, moving eight or ten hours a day or less.

“Taking a Powercat down the ICW isn’t so difficult,” McEvoy tells us. “But I wouldn’t recommend doing it at night. There are too many shallows, markers, channels, and things you can’t see.”

Know Your Fuel Stops

“Time your trip by the anchorages and stops,” says McEvoy. “Pick secondary ports and pre-plot them. Plan your fallback ports; those things matter.”

Familiarize yourself with multiple stopping options along your route. Plot multiple route forks to alternative places you can pull in if you can’t make that day’s destination. You don’t want to be searching for a safe place if you’ve got mechanical issues, bad weather catches you, or you just need to stop moving.

Know where to find fuel near each fallback port, and make a note of the phone numbers so you can call ahead if you have to make an unplanned stop.

Fuel Saving Tips

Running your boat for optimal fuel consumption takes a little experience, and sometimes a bit of trial and error.

Leopard has  fuel consumption curves for your boat , and those can help you look for the right RPMs and boat speed to maximize your range. But as Captain McEvoy observed, those numbers are for light ship test conditions, and your mileage will vary. They’re still worth studying, because they show you how fuel consumption changes as you push the throttle. But test your own boat with specific loads and engine RPMs.

Finding the right speed

Many boats find their most efficient speed somewhere around 80% of full throttle. Most have low consumption rates at low RPMs, but as you rev the engine, fuel consumption increases.

Captain McEvoy tells us, “You might make six to eight knots while flat in the water with low RPMs. But if you increase your speed to ten to twelve knots, all of a sudden, the stern starts to squat and the boat makes bigger waves. Fuel consumption goes up a lot.”

At that point, the boat is displacing lots of water and burning lots of fuel for its speed. But, McEvoy adds, “when you push it to get to fourteen to sixteen knots the boat gets up and planes and is more efficient.”

Check your bottom

Before you set out on a passage, get your Powercat’s bottom and propellers cleaned. If you can’t haul out for a power wash, clean the bottom in the water. Growth creates drag that requires more power and fuel to overcome. You might not feel slower, but your boat will use more fuel to maintain your preferred cruising speed if the bottom or propellers are dirty.

Save weight

A heavier boat takes more power and fuel to move at the same speed. So if you are stopping at night, think about not filling the water tanks every day. Consider how much gear you really need for the journey. Less weight equals more fuel savings and better range.

Preparations

Make a checklist of tasks before your trip. This should cover food and meals, navigation, emergency routines and a watch schedule. Give yourself time to plan and prepare. A long trip – even a coastal one – isn’t something you decide to do on the spur of the moment.

Engine Service

Begin with a fresh oil change, clean fuel filters, and inspect the engines to ensure all fluids are topped up. If you exceed the service interval for your oil change on your trip, you’ll need to do one along the way. So it’s better to start with a fresh change. Inspect everything, including all replaceable components like impellers, and make sure you have spares.

Courses and Routes

Plan your entire course before you go. It will probably change once you move, but a full route from the start means you know where you’re going, you’re just making adjustments as you go along instead of preparing all new navigation.

As Captain McEvoy mentioned above, plan alternate stops along the way. Know where you can pull in for fuel, spares, food, and even water and other supplies.

Refueling Plan

For most coastal passages, you’ll be able to get in and out of fuel docks pretty easily. But you should still check ahead to make sure the approaches work for your boat. Use Google Earth to see just how you need to gain entrance, and plot a course all the way to the dock.

It’s a good idea to carry a few spare jugs of diesel along on any long trip. Make sure you know how you’re going to get the fuel from the jerry can to the fuel tank. Pouring with a spout is messy and tricky even with a funnel. A small electric pump will do the job nicely. Siphons work well if you can get the can above the fuel port.

Aim for safe, but have some fun

Safety is always a priority, but you’re on a large, stable, and luxurious Powercat. You should have a great time. A long passage doesn’t have to be a grind. Pace coastal trips to explore the places you stop, plan good meals, and leave time to see the waters you’re moving through. Nothing says you can’t add a lay day if you find someplace special.

A Powercat passage requires a great deal of thought and planning. And, if you do it right, getting there can be more than half the fun!

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