These
are
our
favorite
ways
to
reduce
fuel
consumption
without
giving
up
time
on
the
water.
1.
Got
the
right
tow
vehicle?
Running
a
rig
at
its
maximum
towing-weight
rating
is
almost
never
as
efficient
as
towing
two-thirds
of
it.
2.
It's
a
boat
trailer,
not
a
utility
trailer.
Haul
heavier
gear
—
grills,
coolers,
etc.
—
in
the
tow
vehicle,
when
possible,
instead
of
loading
it
into
the
boat.
3.
Grated
tailgates
or
tonneau
covers
on
pickup
trucks
lower
air
resistance
and
lift
mileage.
Air
needs
to
flow.
4.
A
boat
cover
does
the
same
thing.
(How
well
do
you
think
your
boat
would
move
across
the
water
upside
down?
A
taut
cover
would
help
—
but
don't
try
this
experiment
yourself!)
5.
A
simple
tune-up
for
your
tow
vehicle
(including
injector
service
—
and
oxygen
sensors,
if
it's
so
equipped)
can
add
several
miles
per
gallon.
6.
Just
bringing
your
tire
inflation
up
to
specs
can
make
a
big
difference.
Don't
neglect
trailer
tires,
either.
7.
A
clean
hull
is
more
efficient
than
a
dirty
one.
A
prop
in
good
condition
performs
better
than
a
dinged
one.
8.
Marina
fuel
is
always
more
expensive.
Gas
up
on
the
highway,
a
few
miles
from
the
ramp
—
or
you'll
pay
extra
for
the
marina
convenience.
9.
If
you
need
one
more
reason
to
repower,
remember
that
new
motors
are
more
fuel-efficient
than
those
with
older
technologies.
10.
Maybe
the
best
gas-saving
advice
concerns
the
fuel
you
spend
to
reach
your
boating
destination.
Stay
overnight
instead
of
going
for
one
day.
That
way,
you
double
your
days
per
gallon
on
the
road.
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