Which is more efficient?

[smokeonthewater]

Looks like this discussion has gone from the OP asking about efficiency of his type/style boat, and is now getting into utopia and boating in a vacuum.

not sure what your point is here but the difference between dead water and current/wind is absolutely relevant if he/she plans to operate at the displacement speed that he/she prefers and ever encounters a current or headwind...

 

[alldodge]

not sure what your point is here but the difference between dead water and current/wind is absolutely relevant if he/she plans to operate at the displacement speed that he/she prefers and ever encounters a current or headwind...

Your focus is only on part of the equation, there is no mention of wind, turbulence in the water both from the river bottom, channel area which the boat is using (current faster in channel then on inside of bend), and underwater obstacles which change the river flow due to turbulence. So while your statement of hull speed, current and time are valid points, and using those as a good starting point, those points are only part of the overall equation.

 

[smokeonthewater]

AHH gotcha, very true..... Of course there will always be more points to figure exact numbers..... That stuff goes a little beyond what the average person will figure into a day trip but is interesting...

Either way the O/P will need to understand how currents effect efficiency if operating in them and concerned with mpg's

 

[av8erdunn]

Thanks for all of the replies. That's way more in depth than I ever wanted to get. LOL. but it is all good info. Wasn't that concerned about it, I was more curious because I didn't want to just **** money away running at a slower speed if that was the case. It is a boat though so pissing money away is a given.

Thanks again