Any idea on fuel comsumption?

jonho · Post by **jonho** » Wed Oct 22, 2003 6:02 am

[Just bought a Bertram 33Sportfisher(1979) with twin Cat 3208T (270hp each) and was wondering if anyone knows the average consumption per hour at WOT and also at a cruising speed of 16knts.(Havent had a chance to test what RPM I'll need to get 16knts so this question is a little difficult)Boat has new engines with only 600hrs done since installation. Thanks and regards. Jonho.[8D] font=Arial][/font=Arial]

lunderic · Post by **lunderic** » Fri Oct 31, 2003 1:22 pm

I've had poor fuel consumption @ 16 Knots in both Gas and Deisel Bertram 33's. They are not fully planing. They seem to do better at 19-20 knots. With Cummins 330Bs I cruise at 20 knots on about 18 gph combined. When I cruise at 16 knots its about 16 gph. Eric

sbeer · Post by **sbeer** » Tue Mar 23, 2004 1:00 am

I have 320 hp. cats. at cruise I get 24knots. If you are only pulling 16, in my opinion you are under powered or you have a major problem with your power plants.

pdtontine · Post by **pdtontine** » Mon Jun 28, 2004 4:10 pm

I just bought a 79 33 convertible, with original 3208 cats in her, how much fuel will she burn in a hour cruising? the old owner claims to have only 1700 hours on her.

Fish Stix · Post by **Fish Stix** » Fri Jul 02, 2004 2:49 am

Eric is right. You have much better performance over 18 knots. I burn about 25 an hour at 2350 cruising at slightly over 21 knots with original 270 3208Ts in a 81FBC. Right now I'm slightly overpitched at 21X22 with a good cup. I tend to think ratings for the 270 are slightly skewed. I've looked at the specs and it seems to me the 270 is rated at 2400. If you equate that to 2800 it works out over 300 for a D or E rating. A while back I was speaking to a guy at Pantropic and he seemed to agree. 270 out of a 3208 is low for a block that carrys up to 435hp. Although, it sure is nice to run up 5 digit hours before major work. I too think you have a undiscovered problem at those numbers

sbeer · Post by **sbeer** » Tue Aug 03, 2004 4:10 am

quote:Originally posted by pdtontine I just bought a 79 33 convertible, with original 3208 cats in her, how much fuel will she burn in a hour cruising? the old owner claims to have only 1700 hours on her. With the 320hp cats and a full load,Cruiseing at 2400 at 22.5kts I burn about 23 gal an hour. I carry 400 gal of fuel in a costum tank. When the fuel starts to burn down My kts pick up But still burn the same fuel. At a normal half loaded situation I will cruise at 24 kts.

Fish Stix · Post by **Fish Stix** » Fri Aug 06, 2004 8:47 am

Mike Tell me about your custom fuel tank. Where is it? What capacity? etc.

sbeer · Post by **sbeer** » Mon Aug 09, 2004 1:48 am

My 33 was converted to diesel back in 87. When it was done they put in a 396 gal tank. It is fiberglass and sits from the bulk head at the genny to the bulkhead of the engine compartment, The width is from the farthest outside stringes. I had pulled the deck to see what was underneath. Big tank. I have pictures that I can post as soon as I figure out how to post them. Lot of wieght but the extra fuel going to the canyons gives me the option of going where I want. Just went to hatteras and did not have to fuel up until I got there. Felt pretty good.

Fish Stix · Post by **Fish Stix** » Mon Aug 09, 2004 11:21 am

396 gallons in the main tank below the cockpit! You got my attention. Try hard posting those pictures. I can't figure out how all these boats are holding 250+ tanks below the cockpit? The gas boats have 315 below deck! My tank spans the outer stringers and from bulkhead to bulkhead at 250 gallons. I would have thought we all have the same spacings below deck? I have another up front to bring me up to 400 because, you're right - 400 gallons will put you anywhere you want to go. If I could get all 400 out of the back without loosing that upfront space - or even better, getting 400 in the back with another 150 up front I would gladly make the investment. Try hard on that posting and if possible give me the spacing between those bulkheads, even if it's a rough measurement. I'd like to know if this is feasible. Fuel is everything on our trips.

sbeer · Post by **sbeer** » Fri Aug 20, 2004 10:54 am

One thing I do not understand is your statement about only 250 gals. under the cockpit deck. The bertram in gas was rated at 310. What year is your boat? Mine is an 81. You should at least hold that much if you matched the tanks from gas to diesel. Getting the extra 80 is alittle tricky but the pro's know how to use ever inch. Mike