There are many costs associated with yacht ownership, and fuel is one of the biggest concerns for yacht owners and those who charter yachts as a source of business revenue. There are many different systems within your yacht that will require diesel fuel, and new versus used marine engines will bring different fuel efficiencies that are worth considering when trying to calculate your fuel costs. Everything from how many gallons are in a yacht’s tank to the specific mileage could come down to the quality of your engine and the size of your boat. This means that, without expert help, it could be hard to calculate. That’s why the team at Marine Diesel Specialists has created this quick overview that will explain yacht fuel capacity and yacht fuel cost through nautical miles, as well as how you can calculate these costs on your own.
Our team of experts are certified vendors of MAN marine engines in both Fort Lauderdale and Punta Gorda through our Gulf Coast Diesel Service branch and are always ready to help fellow boaters whenever they may need it. So, how much fuel does a yacht use, and how much does it cost to fuel a yacht?
Nautical Mile vs. Mile
The first key in calculating yacht fuel cost is to figure out how far you will be traveling. After all, these vessels are meant to transport, and like many modern transportation methods, yacht fuel capacity and use could change due to variables such as these. Mapping out your journey will help you see how many miles you’re traveling, and then you’ll convert this to nautical miles. When calculating nautical mile vs. mile consider that nautical miles are measured in two options, either 1/60th of a degree between latitude or longitude on a map or as 1.15 US miles. Knowing the distinction between nautical miles and US miles or kilometers is a must. Some boaters may find themselves confused by their fuel use and yacht fuel cost being different from what they have anticipated.
Finding the Cost of Marine Diesel Fuel With Nautical Miles
If you’re choosing your destination on a traditional map, each 1/60th of a degree on your map will calculate as a nautical mile. This is a fast and easy way to calculate fuel consumption using just a map and compass if you are not using a GPS when planning your nautical voyages. For those of us who are using GPS tools or digital maps, one nautical mile is about 1.15 miles or 1,852 meters. Traditionally, a knot is the speed of one nautical mile per hour. Many people use online mapping services as a way to get an accurate measurement of the distance they will be traveling on their journey. Using all the available resources when matching fuel cost to the yacht fuel capacity and how it relates to distance is always a good idea.
How to Calculate the Cost of Marine Diesel
Now that you know the nautical miles between your starting point and destination and have gotten an accurate measurement by using the tips and resources stated in this article, you can analyze your vessel’s average fuel consumption to figure out your yacht fuel costs. The exact rate of fuel cost per hour will vary from yacht to yacht, depending on engine type, age, upkeep, and more. Having more reliable and efficient engines, such as MAN diesel marine engines, will be a benefit due to their reliability and efficiency.
On average, a quality marine diesel engine will burn about 0.4 pounds of fuel per hour for each unit of horsepower. Other factors, such as water conditions, drag, and vessel weight, will also increase your fuel burn, so they are important to keep in mind during your voyage. In typical and relatively calm conditions, a 300-horsepower diesel engine would burn 16.6 gallons of diesel fuel per hour with variance based on the previously stated factors. You would then combine this fuel consumption per hour with the number of nautical miles to be traveled and the expected travel time to calculate your yacht fuel cost.
Knowing how to calculate marine fuel prices using nautical miles is a skill that every boater should be proud to have. It will come in handy many more times than they would think. Once you have mastered this form of preparation for a nautical adventure, you’re going to be able to get more accurate information in less time using just a few tools and a wealth of knowledge gained from experience.
Our Expert Marine Diesel Services Are Here to Help
Marine fuel is typically sold by the liter or gallon, and the prices vary depending on the time of year and other factors. Keep an eye out for any trends you may have noticed in previous years, and use that knowledge to plan out your purchases effectively. As stated before, yacht fuel cost can be affected by the quality of your marine diesel engine, which is why it is important to have the best engines available!
Get in touch with our Fort Lauderdale Marine Diesel Specialists experts or our Punta Gorda Gulf Coast Diesel Service professionals to learn all about the products we offer. We are certified vendors of MAN marine engines, along with a long list of other brands that are sure to be the perfect fit for you. If you are interested in boat servicing and repairs, which can be done by our marine rebuild specialists, you’ll also find yourself in luck with our team.
If you want to learn more about all things marine engines, be sure to take a look at some of our other articles and get insights from professionals in the industry who have years of experience dealing with marine diesel and MAN engines.
Related Readings
Our Marine Diesel Specialists offer a variety of products and services to provide marine diesel solutions in Fort Lauderdale and Punta Gorda. Our authorized MAN Engine dealers can offer expert maintenance, repair, and survey services, as well as complete engine, transmission, and generator overhauls. If you are seeking top-quality marine diesel solutions, products, or services, don’t wait to contact our Marine Diesel Specialists and Gulf Coast Diesel Service.