Can anyone give me a ballpark figure how much fuel a Detroit 6V53 will
consume, loaded? Trying to estimate fuel consumption of twin 6V53s pushing a
45' hard chine, V-bottom cruiser, 29 gross tons.

TIA

Don

It depends of quite a few variables you have not stated, but you will do
well with .4 pounds per horsepower hour. Your engines will have constant
speed governors that should have a cap at 2800 rpm. Your engine manual
should state the max rated HP. These engines have ratings between 210 HP and
400 HP depending on their configuration. Your most efficient cruise speed
should be acheived around 2000 RPM. At this speed you should be around .6
max (250 x .6 = 150 HP). So, 150 HP x .4 pounds = 60 lbs . Divide this by 6
pounds per gallon and you have 10 gallons an hour per engine at cruise. with
this, you can work other permutations yourself. But this theoretical boat
with cost you about $50 for every 13 miles you drive it. Think sail boat,
let God blow you about.
Steve

"Old Boat Goat" wrote in message
news:KHu3f.172868$oW2.76925@pd7tw1no...
Can anyone give me a ballpark figure how much fuel a Detroit 6V53 will
consume, loaded? Trying to estimate fuel consumption of twin 6V53s pushing
a 45' hard chine, V-bottom cruiser, 29 gross tons.

TIA

Don

Thanks, Steve, for the very credible analysis. My reason for asking was
estimating the cost of bringing a boat from California to Vancouver Island
(B.C., Can.), approximately 1400 miles, 150 hours. With this fuel
consumption, about $5000-$6000. Although the boat would be a bargain, I'd
blow the savings out the stack. I'll be passing on this deal, I think.
As an aside, I was engineer on a 150 ton packer/towboat for a couple
years in the '90s. She had an Enterprise 6 cyl., air-start, direct reversing
engine. We burned about 20 gph, loaded or light, made 10 kn. steady.

Thanks again,

Don

"Steve Lusardi" wrote in message
...
It depends of quite a few variables you have not stated, but you will do
well with .4 pounds per horsepower hour. Your engines will have constant
speed governors that should have a cap at 2800 rpm. Your engine manual
should state the max rated HP. These engines have ratings between 210 HP
and 400 HP depending on their configuration. Your most efficient cruise
speed should be acheived around 2000 RPM. At this speed you should be
around .6 max (250 x .6 = 150 HP). So, 150 HP x .4 pounds = 60 lbs .
Divide this by 6 pounds per gallon and you have 10 gallons an hour per
engine at cruise. with this, you can work other permutations yourself. But
this theoretical boat with cost you about $50 for every 13 miles you drive
it. Think sail boat, let God blow you about.
Steve

"Old Boat Goat" wrote in message
news:KHu3f.172868$oW2.76925@pd7tw1no...
Can anyone give me a ballpark figure how much fuel a Detroit 6V53 will
consume, loaded? Trying to estimate fuel consumption of twin 6V53s
pushing a 45' hard chine, V-bottom cruiser, 29 gross tons.

TIA

Don

Old Boat Goat wrote:
Thanks, Steve, for the very credible analysis. My reason for asking was
estimating the cost of bringing a boat from California to Vancouver Island
(B.C., Can.), approximately 1400 miles, 150 hours.

snip

If you like the boat, have it hauled.

Much less expensive is my bet.

BTW, only a masochist takes a boat up the left coastG.

Lew

If you like the boat, have it hauled.

Much less expensive is my bet.

BTW, only a masochist takes a boat up the left coastG.

Lew

I don't think it would be haulable. At least not reasonably. 15' beam,
15'-16' height. On a trailer, probably 18'. Pilot car(s), overpass and
bridge clear route, etc. All too much for my interest in this boat. As for
running it up the coast, that'd be a blast. Couple of old boat buddies,
grub and coolies, 1 bottle of single malt (well, maybe 2 , a few thousand
in fuel. Priceless!

Don

snipped

"Steve Lusardi" wrote in message
...
Think sail boat,
Think sail boat, let God blow you about.
Steve

Actually Steve, I am a windboat guy. I have a 35' mahogany planked sloop in
the boatshop right now. Hoping to put her back in come Spring. Just that
this boat is "such a deal" and I kinda like the idea of a big, comfortable
cruiser that goes anywhere, anytime, without tacking, reefing, lying to, or
getting wet & cold in winter (we do sail in winter).

Don

Don,
It is a shame. I love 6V53s. I have rebuilt many Detroits and the 6V53 is my
favorite. They are built like a Swiss watch. I have a 3-53 as an aux in my
sailboat.
Steve
"Old Boat Goat" wrote in message
news:5aA3f.186599$tl2.24947@pd7tw3no...
snipped

"Steve Lusardi" wrote in message
...
Think sail boat,
Think sail boat, let God blow you about.
Steve

Actually Steve, I am a windboat guy. I have a 35' mahogany planked sloop
in the boatshop right now. Hoping to put her back in come Spring. Just
that this boat is "such a deal" and I kinda like the idea of a big,
comfortable cruiser that goes anywhere, anytime, without tacking, reefing,
lying to, or getting wet & cold in winter (we do sail in winter).

Don

too much, sell it and buy a sailboat you fuel hog.

"Steve Lusardi" wrote in message
...
Don,
It is a shame. I love 6V53s. I have rebuilt many Detroits and the 6V53 is
my favorite. They are built like a Swiss watch. I have a 3-53 as an aux in
my sailboat.
Steve

Yeah, I know of which you speak. Nice simple injection system, durable and
parts available (or robbable) anywhere. I think of them as the Land Rover of
diesels, parts from a '40s 53 series will fit an '80s 53 series. Try that
with a Cat, Cummins or Volvo. 3/4" & 9/16" pretty much the only wrenches you
need. I was once at an old, abandonned Dew line site on the Beaufort Sea.
The powerhouse still had the carcasses of two Detroits sitting in their
beds, pretty much intact. Detroits don't fit well into a snowmobile or
little tin boats, I guess. I wish I had a 2- or 3-53 in my boat. I've got a
20hp Sabb (not Saab) with v.p. prop. Not enough poop to give you good
maneuvering, but better than using sweeps.

Don

"Meye5" wrote in message
ups.com...
too much, sell it and buy a sailboat you fuel hog.


Yeah, thanks for the subtle advice. Actually I have a sailboat (see other
posts) but am just fanasizing about buying this cruiser ( I haven't bought
it yet) and running her home. I think I've admitted the folly of my fantasy
and will watch the auction with interest, without putting out the $$$.

Don