Fuel watch

captgene · Post by **captgene** » Fri Jun 02, 2006 6:07 am

I don't have flowscans, but I did a lot of reading on calibrating. Sounds like a pain, but somebody wrote that they disconected the main tank and ran a line from a 5 gal. OB tank with precisly 5 gal of fuel and let it run it dry. Then reset. I know it would be a pain in the azz. just a thought. Gene Dugan

franklyprice · Post by **franklyprice** » Fri Jun 02, 2006 6:13 am

Al, If I were flying my boat to the moon 2% would maybe not be accurate enough. Since I use my boat more in the local area, I consider the accuracy adequate for my needs , especially considering the variables involved, like how do you know if you filled it to the exact same spot every time? (for one). As you mentioned, if you really need to know if both sensors are the same you would want to swap them to see if they read the same. Personally I can live with it just the way it is. Do you take meds, by any chance? (with all due respect) As an aside Al, who do I talk to about a new TV screen? Since you were on the 11 o'clock news with your paste white shaved face and hair , I think I have a permanent image of you burned into my screen.... Just kidding!!!

lobsta1 · Post by **lobsta1** » Fri Jun 02, 2006 6:25 am

Frank, Save that screen!!!!! The next time my pasty white face will emerge will be in 2016. You should have been around the last time I shaved in 1996. I did it right after I had a two week vacation on the boat. Al 1978 33 FBC NITES OFF

franklyprice · Post by **franklyprice** » Fri Jun 02, 2006 11:12 am

So Al,m I've been thinking about your questions about using the flowscans for a diagnostic tool and I can't vouch for all the guages out there but I do feel that both sides of mine are equally accurate that I can trust them. As an example, last year I rebuilt the carbs and while I was re-assembling them, the carb for the starboard engine kinda hung up on the primary metering rods and the end result was that I was a little concerned that the starboard engine would run a little rich because of it. The long and the short of it is, yes it does use a little more gas per hour on that side. Not much but a little . I can't see that the plugs are much, if any, darker on that engine and it runs perfectly but because of the flow scans I can see that it is indeed using a little more fuel than it did and so I could use to get back into that carb and re-adjust those metering rods. I also know when I'm running against a wind or current because of the amount of fuel I use while I'm in it. If one side was slightly less accurate than the other,it wouldn't really matter, I'd still see what is going on in relation to it's history. Does that answer your question?

photo finish · Post by **photo finish** » Sat Jun 03, 2006 3:47 am

actually calibrating is extremely easy! if you find that you are consistantly 2% or 5 gallons more than what the pump says than all you have to do is make a slight adjustment on the back of the gauge to a dial.And if you really think that all engines come from the factory burning exactly the same amount of fuel consistantly than i do not know what else to say. I personally do not think there is a better gauge that can give me the amount of info than the floscan. I am sorry that i missed the before and after pix of Al.sounds like a sight to see.

Rick · Post by **Rick** » Wed Jun 07, 2006 8:21 am

I don't know which was more shocking...Al's clean shavin' or the "boaters should avoid ethanol" comment. Rick Ticket 85 SF Falmouth, MA

Capt. Ed · Post by **Capt. Ed** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 12:06 pm

Well I am just about over the $3.60gal for gas, I just returned from Tampa with a 275 gal above ground fuel tank, electric pump with a meter, hose and nozzle. I dropped the tank at my friends shop who will reprimer it, and paint it with 2-part Imron Industrial white paint, (that will flex and not crack) that seals it well for the salt water exposure at the house. After I install it, another friend who owns a wholesale marine fuel dock will deliver fuel between .60 to a $1.00 less than I have to pay at the dock (spot market prices). In 5 to 9 fishing trips I will have recoup my cash outlay, and it all savings from that point on. I have talking about doing this for years after speaking with someone who has a 5,000 underground diesel fuel tank in his yard to fuel his boat and how much he saves each year on fuel. Between my docks, my boats, and now a fuel tank people really are going to think I have a marina behind my house. I will post a photo when it is completed. [8D] 1979 Bertram 33' FBC ALEXANDRA Port Richey, Florida [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... xandra.jpg[/img] HAVE YOU SIGNED UP FOR BERTRAM PRIDE '06 yet? DO IT NOW... SPACE IS LIMITED!

Post by **Admin** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 4:37 pm

It is somewhat cheezy, but I have been taking a 30 gallon gas buddy down the street to the gas station and filling up with premium, and still saving money. A few trips, and I get at least a third of a tank of fuel. Premium at the fuel dock is about $4.25/gal, while it is only $3.29 at the gas station.

Capt. Ed · Post by **Capt. Ed** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 5:50 pm

There is nothing "cheezy" about saving or getting value for your money. I am always looking at ways to save money where I can and makes sense. Saving $1.00/gal when you burn 20-30gal/hr is found money! I will take that "cheezy" money any old day of the week! Even if I had enough zero's in my account to make me cross eyed, I still will stop and pickup a dime or save $1.00 on fuel! I have ruled out diesels unless I got a steal on them to offset my cost to repower. I will move to a 38' or 42' next. When I built this section of dock I placed my outer poles out 19' so as to allow for a 15' beam vessel, as I knew I was heading in that direction in coming years. I would get a 55 gal drum and drum dolly, a hand pump and hose make 4 trips to the service station for gas and be on my happy way. The easy way would be to tie up near a gas station to do this, the trips would be shorter and faster and you could load from the truck. You could get a 100gal fuel bladder (I have one for long trips), lay it in a pickup truck bed and make 2 trips for gas. I was buying my wife something the other day and I asked that the price include tax (I had just gotten a 38% discount), the salesman cried that I had already beat him up and what was $70 more. I looked him in the eye and said... Lunch with my wife, a bottle of 30 year old Port, some great cigars, or bait for fishing that is what $70 is to me! So David, never feel it is "cheezy", if it is... then I am real Cheese Head! 1979 Bertram 33' FBC ALEXANDRA Port Richey, Florida [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... xandra.jpg[/img] HAVE YOU SIGNED UP FOR BERTRAM PRIDE '06 yet? DO IT NOW... SPACE IS LIMITED!

photo finish · Post by **photo finish** » Thu Jul 20, 2006 7:39 pm

I just got back from Hope town in the Bahamas and The fuel prices for gas was 4.99-5.35.

captgene · Post by **captgene** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 3:30 am

That's why I didn't go back to the Abacos this year. For about 1.5 fillups, I'll rent a house and a Albury Bros. 23. Gene Dugan

Post by **Admin** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 4:06 am

Wow Tim, that is like Catalina prices over here - $5.29.

photo finish · Post by **photo finish** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 4:13 am

Wow David, I cant believe it is that much there! is that with or without ethanol? Gene, You are right and that is why i did not take my boat. A friend rented a house on lubbers quarters that came with a 24' C Hawk.

Post by **Admin** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 4:31 am

With ethenol. California has had it for a few years actually.

BECCA ROSE · Post by **BECCA ROSE** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 5:55 am

Gas was 3.92 in Manchester By The Sea, Ma. last week. Diesel was 2.92. Bill 33 FBC Ipswich, Ma. [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... a_Rose.jpg[/img]