Thread:

Turbine fuel stats

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.

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

Originally Posted by LakeTrash

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

Sleeper CP

Can't help you with your question about fuel consumption but after riding around a couple
of weeks ago with Craig in his 46 Skater with twin 53's, it's the most iuncedible high performance experience of my life--it's worth whatever the cost is!

ludicrous speed

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