Author Karen Buhler Gale knows the value of planning for fuel consumption.

Author Karen Buhler Gale knows the value of planning for fuel consumption.



Sailors are not supposed to talk about fuel. We sail. Dockside we share horror stories of reefing and uncomfortable degrees of heel. We swap tips on sail trim and complain bitterly how long it took to get to our destination with the wind on our nose. But the truth is, sailboats are also powerboats more often than they would like to admit. And like any other powerboat you need to know your maximum range with a full load of a fuel.

While planning often bores me-I like doing-running out of fuel is inconvenient, often dangerous or expensive, and always, I mean always embarrassing. Ignominiously, I have run out of fuel on my dinghy. Nothing to make you feel pathetic like sputtering out of gas in a little rubber boat except sputtering out of a gas in your big, expensive boat.

Run your engine at various speeds or rpm (revolutions per minute) for a measured amount of time and measure the amount of fuel consumed. You can use this as a good estimate of the amount of fuel needed to run a course at a given speed. Generally, use the one third rule: one third of a tank to get you to your port of call, one third of a tank to get home, and one third for emergencies.

Always fill your tank before you leave port and for longer voyages know the fuel stations along the way. I have a small spare 3 gallon tank aboard my 27' Catalina which makes me warm as a wool blanket when I find myself against a current or head wind or I find a fuel station that should have been opened was closed. Since a gallon of fuel weighs 6.1 pounds, there's no need to overstock on spare gallons; it can add considerable weight to your boat. If you do have a spare tank, makes sure it is secure.

What to do if you do run out of fuel? Kick yourself and then if you are in a secure location toss the anchor, always make sure everyone is wearing a PFD, and hail a passing boater who might take pity. If you are insured make the call for a tow or a refill, or use Channel 16. The Coast Guard won't come with smiles and fuel, but they will call a towing company for you. Now, if you think fuel is expensive"¦