theprolineguy.com

I have been running my 2005 Proline 34WA with Twin 275 HP Verado's, tower and second station for seventeen months -two fishing seasons in the NorthEast (CT). I get lousy fuel economy. I have 273 Gallons of fuel capacity according to the sales paperwork (only got about 250-260 when I emptied the tank for fuel cal.).

I only get about 130 to a 150 miles between fill ups. Yep about 1.75 gallons per mile on average. Played with the trim, played with the power settings, Changed the speed (Ran it from 15 to 35 MPH, fuel burn almost the same), Took everything extra off the boat, had other "professional captains" run the boat and try to better the fuel economy. Didn't help much. On perfect days and ways I get a touch more but... I can't count on it. The engines run great and never miss a beat. I know the boat can go 50 MPH (saw it on the acceptance ride) with half fuel and four large adults onboard. I like a nice comfortable ride so I probably run it pretty easy at 18 -30MPH. The Verado techs have run the latest software for the engines and tell me that they are perfect...

I want to fish the NE canyons and don't have the range...Any ideas???

Better/Smarter Captain? Additional fuel Tanks?? Installation location? Hook Up? Set up? Cost? Magic? Someone tell me or show me. I want to fish offshore...

A 400 gallon tank would do you wonders...

The 35 Express with triple Vrods and the tank upgrade to 450 gallons...just doesn't cut it...

People in Homosassa just don't go that far offshore, and don't understand that where PLs are sold. people DO!!!

Hi Bob.

Let me know when you are coming up to install the new 400 gallon tank... Has anyone done that?

I have thought about having an auxillary tank built and plumbing it to fit under the aft floor forward of the generator. Of course that will make it tough to service the generator and it will put the fuel right next to it.

I'll probably never be ready for the "new boat" purchase.

I did get the Batteries wired almost like the schematic you sent. I have two start, one house and one generator/house battery. Next time I have the electrical panel open I will try to take and post a couple of pictures.

Thanks for your help.

If you have the room for a larger fuel tank, then install it after talking with Pro Line about where it should go. Another option is to carry fuel bladders and refuel underway. Start here... http://www.marinefuelbladders.com/

100 gals of addl gas will give you 60 add'l miles... at 6.2lbs/gal you have to find a correct place to put the 620lb bladder. Optionally, add 4 bladders at 25 gallons each, or 155lbs each.

If not already installed, tap in fuel consumption meters on each engine...so you can compare to see if one is using significantly more fuel than the other. You could also accomplish this with 2 outboard tanks hooked up to each engine: weigh the tanks, make a run, then measure the weight of fuel remaining.

If you have trim tabs...unless you really need them...make sure they are all the way up and not dragging. Also make sure the cav plates on the engines are the right height in relationship to the keel...I can't imagine they wouldn't be...but check. Make sure your bottom paint is clean and smooth. Finally, take a look at the props...if you are willing to make an investment in time, you may have some room to optimize your props for economy. Take a browse at this stuff:

http://www.evinrude-parts.com/boat_prop ... ticle.html
http://www.kencook.net/Setupart.html
http://www.boatfix.com/how/props.html
http://02e1dde.netsolhost.com/boatpropellers.html
http://www.marineprop.com/propinfo.htm

If you use any of my suggestions, please send me a thank you note on a $100 dollar bill

Thanks for the suggestions.

I have been considering fuel bladders since last year. My concern is where to put them and how easy is it going to be to transfer the fuel.

The trim tabs are full up unless cruising with the wife. She doesnt like the slight lean.

The cav plates on the engines are the right height in relationship to the keel.

Reprop is something I have been slow at looking at. I understand that there is a
Mercury propeller demo program dealer nearby. I am going to talk to them next week.

The new tank install is a nice idea except for- the downtime (winter project-OK), the COST of tearing apart the boat and then putting it back together RIGHT, and finding the right company or people to do it.

Oh, and the fuel burn is slightly higher on the starboard engine. Coming out of Block Island today at 5100 RPM, the port was 18.7, starboard was 20.5, (39.4 GPH Total)the indicated speed was 28 MPH.

Checking the numbers for the last tank of gas - After running 246 gals through the engines the port burned 115 and the starboard burned 131.