There’s no doubt about it, fuel nowadays costs so much that it hurts to take your car for a drive whether you’re going to work, to fetch kids from school, to get groceries, or wherever you need to be. And when it comes to boats, the cost of fuel is even higher due to their increased fuel consumption compared to cars. It just makes you crazy thinking about how you can cut your costs on fuel.

In a time when it’s precarious to abuse and waste fuel usage, it’s time to be more mindful of how much fuel you’re wasting. If you want to save more cash (and lessen water pollution), it’s time to do some fuel-saving activities that ensure your fuel use will not be put to waste. Here are some easy fuel-saving habits to adopt over time:

Tune your engine: Take your engine to a qualified boat servicing workshop at least once a year for a tune-up and service. It helps your boat engine run more efficiently.

Find the right propeller for your outboard boat engine and the boat itself: If your boat's propellers are matched to its size and usage, they function much better. You can ask a boating expert what propeller is suitable for your boat engine. Regularly inspect your propeller for breaks or barnacle infestations, as these can cause your engine to use excess fuel.

It’s also a good idea to measure your fuel flow:  Consider installing a fuel-flow meter on your boat to monitor your engine's real-time fuel consumption in gallons per hour. You can have this accessory professionally installed at a marine shop. Some new boats for sale in the market have this feature.

Take stock of what’s onboard; additional weight means more drag: Ditch all items that you don’t need and that are not essential. Clean out anything you won’t need on your trip and leave them in your dock storage. If your boating excursions only last a day, it’s best not to fill your water and fuel tank to the brim. Bring only what’s needed. Extra weight in the boat makes your engine run double time.

Habitually clean your hull: As mentioned before, barnacles or stuck-on debris can create drag on the hull and make the engine work harder. If you live in an area where it’s constantly warm, it’s best to clean your boat weekly compared to boaters who live near colder waters. 

Get your boat in a plane position: This is when there is a lot of power and speed applied by your boat making your boat lift from the water and ride over the surface. Do this if you’re out of the “no-wake zone”. This reduces the drag from your boat.

Plan a shorter trip: The ultimate trick to saving fuel is running your engine only a few times. Travel to closer destinations or moor your boat somewhere near to shore if you only take your boat out for rest and relaxation.

Upgrade your motor engine: If your old one is eating up fuel more than you expect it to do, it’s time to part ways with it and chuck it out and go buy a new one. A lot of new engines manufactured these days tend to be more efficient and more environmentally friendly. If you're in the market for a new outboard motor, it's worth considering a model with better fuel economy, like Mercury outboards. At Brisbane Boating & Leisure, we offer a wide range of Mercury outboard models for you to choose from. Our dealership is located at 1743 Ipswich Road Rocklea, QLD, so if you're nearby, feel free to visit us. We're always happy to help you with your engine needs. Additionally, we're proud to be dealers for Quintrex, Yellowfin, Northbank Boats, and Move Boat Trailers, so if you're in need of a new boat and trailer, we can assist you with that too!