Hi all, from Australia.

[AussieCarver]

Hi all, from Australia

After a bit of boat searching, I think I've nailed my options down to a Carver 325, it suits my budget and style.
I'm unsure if the fuel consumption is too high for my use as I intend on doing a lot of coastal cruising but I'll work this out as I go.
I do like the style and accommodation in the 325 and of course, the price suits me well.

[pepmyster]

Welcome to the group!

[Viper]

Welcome aboard mate.

[bud37]

Welcome to the forum and perhaps Carver....good luck in your search...

[waybomb]

Welcome aboard!

[Cooler]

Welcome aboard Aussie! If you let us know what year and what power package you have on the 325, we may be able to give you some insight into reality of fuel consumption. My Mariner has Crusader engines, burning 22 gph at 3400 RPM. If I back off to 3000 RPM, fuel burn gets significantly better 16 to 17 gph. Takes a little longer to get to the destination, but less fuel burned than time wasted. Most efficient cruise is 3000 RPM, speed of 18 MPH, and fuel burn at 17 GPH. Have a great summer! It is the dead of winter here. -11C outside

[RGrew176]

Welcome Aboard. Hope your search for a Carver ends successfully.

[Wayne162]

Welcome Aboard Aussie

[AussieCarver]

Hi all, thanks for the welcome and advice, always greatly appreciated.

I'm deciding on a Carver 325 aft cabin interstate but I'm still stuck in 'no-where man's land' with balancing my three intended uses which is why the 325 ticks a few boxes but fuel economy is still my hurdle.

As things go, I've sold my yacht and as much as I've spent the last 35 years of my life sailing I'm just too tired, too old (54yr) and .... too everything to be changing sails, tacking what seems to be an endless number of Nm to get to a destination straight ahead and living my life at 15 to 20°.

Hence, I've now sold my lovely yacht (a good refurbishment project, that's another story but was well worth it) I'm moving from liveaboard yacht to liveaboard powerboat with lots and lots of extended cruising of the Australia coastline. Although, I'm writing this from my apartment that I use as a land base but I'd rather be living on the water and renting out my apartment.

I like the 325 because it suits my budget, has great interior space and looks good (although beauty is in the eye of the beholder) and looks comfortable.

My quandary is;
Fuel economy at a slow cruising rate of say, 8 to 10kns to allow more economical consumption numbers are hard to come by (I can comfortably convert gallon to litres ) it just getting the data, hence, I'd rather reliable data from the source, you lovely people on the forum.

Here's what I'm stuck at, I believe (but do not know for sure) that a 'trawler style' 8kn cruiser uses substantially less fuel cruising than my intended carver at the same cruising speed BUT I love the ability to just open her up at WOT and get somewhere in a matter of hours rather than half to a full day.

So I'm stuck.......... 8kn on a 325 aft cabin BUT can WOT when needed or 8kn max cruiser/trawler style with fuel economy as a priority but NO WOT
I need to wok through this myself.... but thought I'd share my quandary as 'thinking aloud'
THUS, can I ask if anyone is able to confirm the fuel consumption of the Carver 325 mentioned below,
I'm essentially looking at two fuel economy rates (Gph or Lph) at say 8-10 Knt and say,19/20Knots (or WOT and I'll work out the math) I don't have RPM because the advert does not list but again, any info is better than none, especially first hand knowledgable info from forum users.

The carver 325 that has caught my interest here in Australia is a
1996 - 325 Aft cabin - powered by twin shaft drive 5.7 lt Crusader V8s - Borg Warner gearboxes and 4 blade props - advertised cruising speed is 19kn (19kn is most likely my absolute max cruising speed if required as this gets me to most destinations in 2-6 hours but I'm more than happy to motor at 8-10knts) it's nice to know WOT is available 'if needed'

I'll continue using 'google' as my friend but this forum is a wonderful place to start looking and asking for information

Thanks to all and kindest regards,
from Australia
Cheers, Pete

[bud37]

Heh there Pete....now I don't have a 325 ,but, the most efficient slow speed for fuel is at hull speed.....now for that you will need the waterline length, which my guess would be about 27 feet...that will give you the hull speed for a planing style hull.....just google the formula. I am going to guess again here about 6-7 knots tops, after that you are pushing water until on plane, very inefficient...