Faster doesn’t mean more fuel

MIKE WHITEHEAD

Ahoy.

A special note to boat owners whose vessels are covered by wild

fire ash: You must thoroughly wash your boats before the damage is

done.

The ash when mixed with water will create acids that can etch into

your fiberglass, stainless railings, canvas and rubber dinghies. Do

not just try to rinse off the ash; that will not get rid of all the

accumulation of particulate matter -- yes, you have to scrub.

Remember to be cautious of any soaps washed off your boat into the

water. So instead of using a lot of soap how about using more elbow

grease.

On Wednesday, I departed Newport Harbor just before a very eerie

Halloween sunrise with the sun trying to break through the clouds and

smoke that was creating an orange effect in the sky and on the water.

I was at the helm of a Regal 3560 that I think is the only one of

its model in this area. I was hoping for a fast, 30-knot-plus

cruising speed on my southbound voyage to first Mission Bay and then

to Ensenada, Mexico. Normally this direction is a downhill cruise

going with the seas and wind, but this morning I checked the buoy

reports at 3:30 a.m. and noticed a south swell with seven-knot

southerly winds reported at the Oceanside buoy.

We departed the docks at 4:30 a.m. and soon after reached the

offshore Newport Buoy, which most locals call the sea buoy, to set a

course of 135 magnetic degrees to Mission Bay. However, winds were

blowing that caused the mild 3-foot seas to become rather steep. I

was concerned that these conditions would postpone the trip, but I

wanted to get past Dana Point to see the conditions before I turning

around and go back home.

My hunches were correct; the seas flattened the farther south we

cruised. Now, my speed was increasing to 25 knots, and once we passed

the International border, I adjusted the drives and tabs to maintain

a safe 31 knots at only 3,500 rpm.

Technology is allowing designs that go faster while using much

less fuel. The rule of thumb in boating was that faster speeds meant

only that you would burn much more fuel and not be able to go as far.

This is not true anymore with many of the new hull designs and new

engine technology allowing you to use speed to your advantage when

cruising.

This Regal actually performs better at 3,500 rpm than at slower

speed. Cruising under five knots the range is only 253 nautical

miles, and when the speed is upped to just under 10 knots then the

range actually increases to 328 nautical miles.

Remarkably, you now can push the throttles forward to 3,500 for 30

knots and you will also go approximately 320 nautical miles.

Boat designs such as this one are meant to go fast and get up on

top of the water. Slowing down causes you to plow through the water,

and backing off the throttles, you will notice a decrease in the

performance like the distance range and ride-comfort level in the

boat. When you plan to buy your next boat, look closely at the

performance specifications with the different engine packages. Not

only can you have a faster, better ride, the amount of harmful

emissions is less.

This Sunday on my Boathouse Radio Show, we will continue during a

portion of the show the discussion of saving the Department of

Boating and Waterways from being merged into any other state

department, and you can call-in with your comments.

Special call-in guests will include Joseph R. Baiunco, who is a

director and past president of the Recreational Boaters of

California, and Ray Tsuneyoshi, director of Department of Boating and

Waterways, who will be calling in from a boating conference in

Chicago.

Also, my roving reporter Eric Hovland will be calling the studio

from somewhere in the Southland.

Tune in every Sunday from 4 to 5 p.m. on KCBQ AM (1170), and call

(888) 344-1170 to speak with this week’s prominent guests during the

show.

Safe Voyages.

* MIKE WHITEHEAD is the Pilot’s boating and harbor columnist. Send

him your harbor and marine-related thoughts and story suggestions by

e-mail to [email protected] or visit https://www.boathousetv.com.