Trawler Fuel mileage and Fuel tank level doing America's Great Loop in 40 year old Trawler Boat 

Hi Paul, I enjoy watching your videos. One thing I have not seen you do is a video about the upkeep of your Leahman Fuel Injection pumps. I appreciate your knowledge about your two engines. Keep on posting.

This content is very good, I’m out here on the west coast, looking at trying to find a Grand Banks 36. Nearing retirement. You guys are killing it. I grew up with these boats always was drawn to them. Thanks for the pragmatic instructions.

You are the happiest guy I've ever seen. I want to know you haha. I just bought a 1982 Bestway "Taiwanese" LaBelle 40' Trawler with twin Lehman 120's. Your videos are very helpful - thank you!

For any diesel it is a good idea to run them at full throttle for 5-10 minutes daily. This increases the cylinder pressures which help keep the rings seated to the cylinder walls. There are other benefits but basically diesels like to work HARD. Running them easy for fuel efficiency reasons is fine, but you gotta make them happy every day, or they won't make you happy.

Another Great Video - the Great Loop is my dream. Please keep going. Thanks

Great video. This will help on our Trawler school in December. D

If you run your engines at the same RPM you can hear them go into sync it will be much quieter and reduced vibration

Thank you so much for the share. Looking to buy a Nauticat 33 and it has Lehman 90Hp. I don't have too much skills on diesel motors and I really appreciate what you do. I'm affraid that the previous owners of the boat that I'm looking for didn't treat the motor that well. Must have the price down to keep money a side in case a rebuild would be needed. Thanks again !

nice can't wait to get out there

Always good info.

Great adventure good luck

Foday Yillah 👍

When you run one 100 or so rpms more it’s not a slight additional load it’s a fairly significant load. The propeller efficiently also goes down because the blades are asked to do more with the increased loading which results in increased propelled slip. Think of flying in a small plane and asking the wings to carry more load, instead of flying efficiently the angle of attack to the oncoming air (water) is increased which creates drag and more thrust is needed. Also with Paul only hiring 3/4 a quart of oil that engine is in great shape, and will likey run thousands of hours more at a heavy power setting. Sync those engines and enjoy. Your using more fuel, loading one prop to the point of becoming inefficient and unloading the other to the point of also becoming inefficient. Just some tips......but the world won’t end if you keep running the way you are 👍. Enjoy!

What's up Master Bates?

Great info, very good, all of the info you have given us is pertinent to the undertaking of such an adventure. I would like to ask what your fuel has cost you and where you were that you paid these prices. It's a lot to ask but I'm still trying to put my budget together and fuel cost is always such an unknown for someone who has yet to do the trip. I totally appreciate the RPM information and what speed you get and the 2.2 miles per gallon. Thank you very very much.

what is that fuel burn working out to in gals/hr? is 6.5kts your average speed over ground, through water, or a planning goal? also i am glad to see i am not the only lunatic naming the engines, on Arcadia they are Bonnie and Clyde (stb and pt main respectively) and Jenny (the genset). Btw there is a saying amongst pilots that the only time you can have to much fuel on board is when your on fire. Plus I also find the boat rides better beam seas with the tanks full.

Always great information!!! Based on your extensive Great Loop experience, I am seeking your opinion on doing the upper Great Loop in Canada and NY State with a Fleming 55 (5' draft). We'd like to experience the Erie Canal, the Rideau Canal, the Trent Severn Canal, and a lengthy stay in Georgian Bay. Do you feel a 5' draft would succeed or be too concerning? If not a 5' draft, would a 4.5' draft be successful? Many Thanks!!! Safe Boating!!!

Hi Paul. I don't think it's such a good idea to run engines at different RPMs. You end up with all the load on one running gear pushing the boat plus the load of the second engine that is dragging. Your rudders will also compensate for the offset of the propulsion. Not very fuel efficient. My 2 cents 😉

Gotta run them in the sweet spot. Have a 40' with twin Ford 120 they like close to 2k not quite and I move at 8-9 knots. I always let them chill bring up slow then full throttle for a couple minutes, pull back and feel out the sweet spot.

The questions I always have about trawlers is not so much mileage but about the huge windage when anchored out. I think if I buy on I might cut the entire flying bridge off, but then I like to anchor out. Second question is do they roll in a seaway? Not inland waterways, but at sea. Once again all that weight up high is not good. Do you plan your passages with wind in mind? And how much will a headwind knock down your speed? Also, isn't the measurement usually expressed as gallons per hour?

Hello Paul, I'm searching, but a couple of years away from getting my Loop Boat. A lot of the boats that I like have either Caterpillar or Detroit Diesels in them. Given a choice between the 2, which Engine would you prefer or reccomend ? I look forward to your reply, have a great day and stay safe ‼️

expensive lifestyle with the cost of fuel

Your explanation of two different RPMs explains why your engines sounded ‘out of sync’!

Thoughts on buying a boat re powered with Nannie’s?