| Hello boaters, we all know buy now the boating costs | | | | every 10 gallons of gas you are putting into your tank. |
| have really sky rocketed with the high gas prices. Try | | | | 5. Trim Properly |
| not to let it ruin your boating season. Here are 9 Fuel | | | | Pushing water costs money. Getting up on plane is a |
| Saving Tips for Boaters. With gasoline prices | | | | fuel-saver. Distribute the weight on your boat evenly |
| escalating it seem by the minute, here are a few tips | | | | and install trim tabs if necessary. If you've got an |
| for getting the most from a tank of gas and enjoy | | | | outboard, consider the option of after-market |
| boating this summer without hurting your wallet. | | | | hydrofoils. Try to make as few throttle adjustments as |
| 1. Clean Boat Bottom | | | | possible, and find your boat's optimum cruising speed. |
| Why drive a boat with a thick coat of marine growth | | | | 6. Watch Your Gauges |
| on the bottom? If you dock your boat, be sure to fight | | | | Monitor your speed, RPMs and fuel consumption to |
| plant and barnacle build-up because the extra friction it | | | | help find your boat's "happiest" speed. If you install a |
| adds burns fuel. You may want to apply a fresh coat | | | | Fuel Flow Meter, you can monitor fuel consumption in |
| of antifouling paint to prevent growth. | | | | real-time. This allows for accurate adjustment of |
| 2. Minimize your Load | | | | throttle and trim. |
| Leave the "extra junk" at home: Don't load the boat up | | | | 7. Navigation Planning |
| with weight you don't need. Do some Spring cleaning | | | | The shortest distance from A to B isn't always a |
| and when you find all the "stuff" that's been collecting | | | | straight line or safe line, especially on Stoney Lake. |
| mildew in the bottom of your boat for years, its trash | | | | Carry GPS and paper charts of your area and plot |
| time. | | | | your course with fuel saving in mind. |
| 3. Boat Maintenance | | | | 8. Use a Trolling Motor |
| Keep your routine maintenance up to date. A well | | | | If you're an angler, buy an electric trolling motor and |
| serviced outboard will get better fuel economy than | | | | consume no fuel at all. Running your boat's main |
| one that needs or is due service. Clogged fuel injectors | | | | engine(s) at idle speed, outboard or I/O burns a lot of |
| and fouled spark plugs are common issues that can | | | | fuel and reduces engine life. |
| sap outboard performance. An engine tune-up is an | | | | 9. The Ultimate Fuel Saver |
| excellent investment and should easily pay for itself | | | | Dig out the canoe, kayak or paddle boat. Save $ and |
| over the summer. | | | | exercise all in one. |
| 4. Pay Attention to Your Prop | | | | By making these seven easy strategies a part of your |
| If your Boat goes 30 mph with a like-new prop and | | | | regular boating routine, you can fight back against high |
| know that you have noticed a few dings and dents in | | | | prices at the pump. And that's a battle we all want to |
| it the boat only goes 27 mph. that's a 10 percent loss in | | | | win. |
| fuel economy, or figure you are wasting one out of | | | | |