posted 10-11-2008 01:56 PM ET (US)        

Thanks to the relentless recording keeping of my NAVMAN 3100 FUEL instrument, I can give you the following data on my boating season:

Seasonal Data 2008
------------------
Gallons used = 427 gallons
Total log = 843.4 miles
Total hours = 68.8 hours

Average fuel economy = 1.98-MPG
Average speed = 12.25 MPH
Average fuel flow = 6.2 GPH

This was a good year for boating for us. We used the boat more than last year, were underway longer and went farther. We used more gas, too, but we got better fuel economy, thanks to a late-season boost from the E-TEC motor we were testing.

It is fun keeping track of all this data. I never realized how much additional fun the NAVMAN 3100 FUEL instrument could provide, besides its real-time fuel economy measurement.

If there is more good weather ahead this fall, I will have to rely on my friends for a boat ride. Dave? Pat? Jeff?

posted 10-11-2008 02:14 PM ET (US)            

Like last year, my boating never really ends. I will fish and boat in the rivers all winter as long as I can find a ramp that will let me in.

I would be glad to give anyone a winter ride out here in CO if they pull through.

Cheers,

posted 10-11-2008 03:21 PM ET (US)            

http://s121.photobucket.com/albums/o226/Martha49682/Fall%202008/

Last weekend's cruise on the Crooked River.
http://s121.photobucket.com/albums/o226/Martha49682/ Mullett%20Lake%202008/?action=view¤t=DSCF0098.jpg

posted 10-11-2008 03:28 PM ET (US)            

If any of you need a break in the winter I'm sure one of us can help with a boat ride if you make the trip down. Good luck with your winterizing chores.

posted 10-12-2008 12:42 AM ET (US)            

I put ~400 hrs on the Montauk (main and kicker). That is the most I think I will ever be able to put on my Montauk in one season. (I'll get some stats on my fuel consumption, but it'll be estimate based on fuel receipts.)

I commuted to work 4 days a week from June - Sept. and it was incredibly great way to start the day at work. I usually went ~15 knts; and it took exactly 35-45 mintues one-way from enigne "on" to engine "off". I had a lot of "no wake" motoring, about 15 minutes. Getting to the marina was 2-3 mintues, walking to work was ~5-7 minutes.

The worst weather was a 30 knot breaze that I had to take on the forward port quarter. A lot of banging around.

Needless to say, the engines need some a good tune up.

posted 10-12-2008 09:26 AM ET (US)            

Last weekend I put about 10 more hours on the boat. My wife shot this picture of me from the dock.

http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc264/sapple2/Scott%20in%20boat/ IMG_3467c.jpg

posted 10-12-2008 01:28 PM ET (US)         

They're calling for a high of 79 tomorrow, when I'll be launching.

posted 10-13-2008 09:12 AM ET (US)            

Freshwater striper fishing on Lanier is great but I do miss the salt air. Taking one last trip to the panhandle of Florida next week before Red Snapper season closes on Nov. 1. The wife and I were down there 2 1/2 weeks ago and did great fishing. Then it will be Lanier all winter for Stripers. This is my favorite time of year on Lanier. Great fishing and no boat or PWC traffic.

Then Hopefully the Gulf Coast whaler crew will have another Homossassa gathering in Feb or March. Last year was a blast and I hope to talk some more of the Lanier crew into the drive down.

posted 10-13-2008 06:46 PM ET (US)            

I only know Washington rules for the State Motor Fuel tax of .375 cents per gallon. Yes you can apply for a refund, but they are going to apply sales tax to it if they are refunding the Motor Fuel tax.

Example: You paid 4.75 a gallon for marina gasoline. The state will take the 4.75 and deduct .183 Fed and .375 state and get 4.192 for the sales taxable amount. 4.192 times the sales tax rate of at least 8% only nets you back about .04 cents a gallon.

If the price of fuel drops, you get more per gallon back because the Motor Fuel tax is fixed per gallon and the sales tax is a percentage.

posted 10-13-2008 09:49 PM ET (US)            

Happy & Safe Boating!

posted 10-16-2008 01:25 PM ET (US)            

Isn't there some way you can segregate replys for a thread like this one? Say,... keep Len, Nick, and all other BlueHair Floridians from crashing our Wake, as we mourn the death of another great season of boating? LOL.

Len,

Thanks again for a great outing last Christmas. My son and I still talk about it as one of the highlights of our "JimmyBuffet Christmas".

I will put 10+ hours on the boat this weekend starting tonight, boating with a great group of guys between Honey Harbour and Sans Soucis in Southern Georgian Bay. it is an annual event where we boat, hike the crown lands, explore and catch up. Sharing the ups and downs of life.

I'll put the boat away in mid November, when the marina calls to indicate the batteries are coming out of the forklift, and it is now or not at all.

Safe boating to all, wherever it may be!

posted 10-17-2008 07:19 PM ET (US)            

We just dodged a Hurricane a few weeks ago : ~ ) but your right. We have Nor'easter's instead.

posted 10-21-2008 10:17 PM ET (US)            

I am too lazy to keep records. However, I finally have hour meters. Last year, put 200 hours (total) on two whalers: marriage not doing as well. This year, put about 100 hours (total) on two whalers: marriage doing better, I not doing as well.

Not sure what to make of it.

posted 10-24-2008 05:07 PM ET (US)            

Interesting that we had our first frost two days later and it's rained for the last 28 days (14.0" of rain since Sep 25, including 1.92" yesterday, winds 25 gusting to 55 mph, and the Gulf Alaska had STORM warnings and seas to 34'). And, during my lunchtime walk today we had some snow flurries.

May is right around the corner.

posted 10-24-2008 05:16 PM ET (US)         

http://tinyurl.com/65jgvx

They also offer a free comprehensive 12 page winterizing checklist in partnership with Seaworthy (BoatU.S.) insurance publications, available in stores.

posted 10-25-2008 03:02 PM ET (US)            

If next weekend is clear, I'll be in SE Michigan for some boating.

posted 10-25-2008 04:09 PM ET (US)            

When the ice gets too thick, Dave, fly out and go boating with us.

posted 10-25-2008 05:54 PM ET (US)            

For us the weather period right ahead is very dangerous. The worst maritime disasters on the Great Lakes have all occurred on the 9th through the 11th of November.

--The Armistice Day Storm, November 11, 1940: 5 vessels, 66 lives lost;

--The Edmund Fitzgerald, November 10, 1975: 29 lives;

--The Great Storm of 1913, November 9-10, 1913: 19 vessels, over 250 lives lost.

Also lost in November:

--The Carl Bradley, November 18, 1958: 33 lives lost.

posted 10-25-2008 07:33 PM ET (US)            

Yes Jim you're right about our little micro-climate. Please don't tell any of those Canucks in Eastern Ontario-we've convinced tham that it rains and snows out here all winter.