Engine Shutdown When At Headway Speed?

codeman671 · 07-16-2007, 09:17 AM

I think it would be to cut speed. I drove a 38' lightning out of Silver Sands once on a test drive and with both engines turning at idle it was too fast, especially if there are other boats in the channel.

I doubt it would be to save on gas, for the minute or two that you would have one engine off you really would not save anything.

robmac · 07-16-2007, 11:19 AM

I agree with Codeman,I asked a couple of people doing it and they said it was just for speed not for gas

Paugus Bay Resident · 07-16-2007, 11:34 AM

I used to have a 33 with HP500s. They idled around 800 - 950 rpm, so the boat moved along at higher than headway. Much easier to shut one down than continually shifting into neutral. Since at idle they only used a couple of GPH, any fuel savings would be lost when you fire them up.

Weekend Pundit · 07-16-2007, 06:18 PM

It could be that I've never really noticed it before. Wouldn't be the first time.....

Weekend Pundit · 07-20-2007, 10:50 PM

The more I've thought about it, the less I have to agree that it's been happening all along. After I made my original post and response, I asked some of my friends and family who also happen to boat on Winnipesaukee about what I've seen. They've noticed it, too.

If idling along on two engines can bring a GFB above headway speed, then wouldn't it be easier to only put one engine in gear and leave the other in neutral? I can see that a cold start might use more fuel than leaving an engine idling, but a warm start uses very little fuel and will consume less fuel than an idling engine.

07-20-2007, 10:50 PM	#5
Weekend Pundit Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Gilford Posts: 362 Thanks: 26 Thanked 70 Times in 43 Posts	But... The more I've thought about it, the less I have to agree that it's been happening all along. After I made my original post and response, I asked some of my friends and family who also happen to boat on Winnipesaukee about what I've seen. They've noticed it, too. If idling along on two engines can bring a GFB above headway speed, then wouldn't it be easier to only put one engine in gear and leave the other in neutral? I can see that a cold start might use more fuel than leaving an engine idling, but a warm start uses very little fuel and will consume less fuel than an idling engine.

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07-16-2007, 09:17 AM	#1
codeman671 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 3,552 Thanks: 222 Thanked 838 Times in 505 Posts	I think it would be to cut speed. I drove a 38' lightning out of Silver Sands once on a test drive and with both engines turning at idle it was too fast, especially if there are other boats in the channel. I doubt it would be to save on gas, for the minute or two that you would have one engine off you really would not save anything.

07-16-2007, 11:19 AM	#2
robmac Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Nashua,Meredith Posts: 951 Thanks: 213 Thanked 106 Times in 81 Posts	I agree with Codeman,I asked a couple of people doing it and they said it was just for speed not for gas

07-16-2007, 11:34 AM	#3
Paugus Bay Resident Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Gilmanton, NH Posts: 754 Thanks: 136 Thanked 93 Times in 51 Posts	I used to have a 33 with HP500s. They idled around 800 - 950 rpm, so the boat moved along at higher than headway. Much easier to shut one down than continually shifting into neutral. Since at idle they only used a couple of GPH, any fuel savings would be lost when you fire them up.

07-16-2007, 06:18 PM	#4
Weekend Pundit Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Gilford Posts: 362 Thanks: 26 Thanked 70 Times in 43 Posts	It could be that I've never really noticed it before. Wouldn't be the first time.....