EcoBoat? Ocean going diesel.

[PNW_Steve]

Hey Everyone,

I have been boat shopping lately and, since my money tree died, I am on a budget.

My want was a 32'-38' sail boat. I have a list of features/accommodations that I am trying to meet. I am finding that sail boats, in reasonable condition & similar features, are significantly more expensive than power boats.

I broadened my search to include power boats and found some examples of displacement hull boats with small diesels that are relatively frugal on fuel.

The price difference between the sail and power boats that I am looking at will buy a LOT of diesel.

Here is my question:

If I go the power boat route, I will want to do what I can to maximize efficiency.

The first thing will be mode of travel. I will calculate hull speed as close as I can and keep my speed a bit below hull speed.

Another thought is to buy one of the boats that I have seen with a large, broken diesel and swap for a smaller, more efficient diesel. One I looked at has twin Perkins 6.354's. One of them is junk. Would it be worthwhile to sell the good motor and buy a pair of 40-50 hp turbocharged diesels. Probably marinized Kubotas. I could run hull speed easily on one engine and have the second for redundancy and the rare event that I really am in a hurry.

Along with that I am thinking that extending the stern in a tapered form to extend the waterline and provide a more efficient departure than the square transom.

What are your thoughts on these ideas? What else would you suggest?

Thank you.

S.

I have seen a couple of boats with large, broken diesel engines. Would swapping a smaller diesel?

[PNW_Steve]

Is "Auqadynamics" a word??

[freebeard]

hydrodynamics.

Along with that I am thinking that extending the stern in a tapered form to extend the waterline and provide a more efficient departure than the square transom.

What are your thoughts on these ideas?

A tacked-on boat-tail against the ocean? My money would be on the ocean.

How about hydrofoils?

[PNW_Steve]

Originally Posted by freebeard

hydrodynamics.



A tacked-on boat-tail against the ocean? My money would be on the ocean.

How about hydrofoils?

Thanks for the input.

The transom extension would not be "tacked on". I have some experience in boat building and helpful friends that are in the business. I do value my life and will make certain that the work is done in a safe and proper manner.

As far as the hydrofoils go, what foil would you recommend? NACA#?

I would not have thought that I could create enough lift to lift a 9800# boat traveling at 6.5kts.

[freebeard]

I'm out of my element here () but invert dive planes?


http://www.timeattack.co.uk/wp-conte...de-870x552.jpg

[PNW_Steve]

On second thought... Hydrofoils that lift the hull out of the water might work if the props were not securely mounted to the hull.....

Not to sure I would get very far after I lift the prop out of the water.

[freebeard]

Short of flying the thing, you could just reduce the wetted area.

[Cd]

The guy that runs this site is really into sailing.
Looking forward to seeing his input on this.
I know nothing of boats, but thought this interesting for its potential : https://youtu.be/R9mn2vZ9d5U

[Piotrsko]

I'm with Cd here. Sail is the way to be more efficient and using a small pusher for those calm days when you're on a timetable.

Not sure sailboats are more expensive because you have to buy a boatload of fuel for one while the other style the costs are up front assuming the sails have been stored properly out of the sun. In my case, the powered ship was more conducive because the hull displaced more (was bigger) and I wasn't planning on moving much so the fuel costs were minimal.