Crusing in Europe with a 40 hp. 2 stroke Johnson

[Bill Battle]

I am an American, VERY inexperienced with boats and am currently in Holland. My plan is to buy a small boat and tour as much of Europe as possible before September.<br />I have found a small 7 meter cabin boat that has everything I need.<br />My main concerns are engine relibility and fuel economy.<br />The engine starts ok and sounds good, there are no obvious knocking or other abnormal sounds.<br />The salesman told me that this engine uses about 1 liter per hour at slow speed crusing of about 8 to 10 km per hr.(3.6 liters = 1 US Gal. and 1.6 km = 1 mi.)<br />Does this sound reasonable?<br />As you may know gasoline is expensive over here and I will need to get at least 4 or 5 miles per gallon if I am to stay on my budget.<br />I would welcome any other advice that anyone can give me about living on a small boat.<br />Thanks<br />Bill Battle

 

[Spidybot]

Re: Crusing in Europe with a 40 hp. 2 stroke Johnson

Bill, <br /><br />You've posted this in two foums. Check the one en 'Engines and Motors' for my reply.

 

[rwjacobs]

Re: Crusing in Europe with a 40 hp. 2 stroke Johnson

Hi Bill,<br /><br />I am a dutchmen living in the US. First of all, 1 gallon converts into 3.8 Liters, so you are using a bit more than you thought. The regular gas in europe starts at a higher octane contents than the American gasoline. If I recall right, at 95 for regular.<br />Make sure you know what waterways you are allowed to travel. at the vvv offices (which is the office of tourisme), you should be able to get watermaps that will also tell you about restrictions. There are many more restrictions in Holland then there are in the US. Speed restrictions can be imposed at different hours of the day. For instance, I remember on one lake, you were not able to go faster than 10Km an hour until 5 PM, etc.<br />The water rules should be the same. <br />There are many small locks in holland. Make sure you know how to get throught them.<br /><br />Hope this helps,<br />hans007<br />PS. Where in holland are you?