Performance Boats Forum banner

Turbine fuel stats

5K views 8 replies 7 participants last post by  LakeTrash 
#1 ·
Does anyone have confirmed stats on what it costs to start and run a turbine T53 powered boat?

Someone told me stats once and they were pretty crazy, something like hundreds of gallons per hour or something like that, of course I guess that would depend on throttle position :D but I guess even at idle the engines use a lot of fuel. :)eh:)
 
#2 ·
#3 ·
I don't think fuel economy is considered in any motor making 1500 to 1800hp in a boat.

Here's another thought however, how much fuel can a helicopter actually hold? I would think that those motors would have to be designed to be some what fuel efficient.
 
#4 ·
My T53 powered 31' Warlock burned 140 gallons/hr at WOT which = 126 mph.

That is not the problem as a 1500 hp gas engine will burn the same. The problem is the turbine burns 45 gallons/hr at idle. They are only designed to be efficient at 95% or higher. This makes idling around the dock or slow crusing very expensive.

LT
 
#5 ·
The problem is the turbine burns 45 gallons/hr at idle. They are only designed to be efficient at 95% or higher. This makes idling around the dock or slow crusing very expensive.

LT
You just needed a 400 hp Smblk trolling motor :)bulb ;)

Sleeper CP :D
 
#9 ·
It is hard to understand the power of the turbine until you experience it.

The trick is - they produce 100% torque from idle. That gives low speed acceleration that standard engines cannot match.

My first ride in '97 with Howard Arneson in his 40 Skater with twin GE T58s was a serious eye opener. He laughed when I said the acceleration must be slow proped to reach 185 without a multi speed trans. He stood in it and it pinned me into the seat from 20 to 170 - I was hooked.

His new 46' with a single T55 pulls just as hard. Now you are talking a serious fuel burn rate, especially for a single, 300+ gph.

LT
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top