Gas: From NYC to Finger Lakes

A forum for discussing topics relating to MacGregor Powersailor Sailboats
Post Reply
zamber
Just Enlisted
Posts: 14
Joined: Wed Apr 22, 2020 6:20 am

Gas: From NYC to Finger Lakes

Post by zamber »

How much gas do you think a MacGregor 26 will use going from NYC to the Finger Lakes? It is over 200 miles. 70 HP. Is there much of a difference going upstream instead of downstream?
User avatar
Starscream
Admiral
Posts: 1567
Joined: Tue Nov 03, 2009 10:08 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Montreal, Quebec. 2002 26X - Suzi DF90A

Re: Gas: From NYC to Finger Lakes

Post by Starscream »

:D

A good question. Mine would use 100 gallons for that trip, at 24mph full throttle and no one else on board. Or maybe it would use 20 gallons, at hull speed and loaded for a few weeks of fun. Who knows? Any number in between those figures is reasonable.

Coming downstream at idle the whole way might only use only a few gallons if the current is strong. Going upstream at idle would use infinity gallons.

That's my facetious way of saying it depends more on the driver than the driven.
User avatar
Tomfoolery
Admiral
Posts: 6135
Joined: Tue Jul 05, 2011 7:42 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Rochester, NY '99X BF50 'Tomfoolery'

Re: Gas: From NYC to Finger Lakes

Post by Tomfoolery »

Being that the Hudson River runs both ways with the tide for a pretty long way upstream, you can improve your mileage by going with the flow.

Literally. :D
Tom
Be seeing you . . .
User avatar
Catigale
Site Admin
Posts: 10421
Joined: Fri Jun 11, 2004 5:59 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Admiral .............Catigale 2002X.......Lots of Harpoon Hobie 16 Skiffs....Island 17
Contact:

Re: Gas: From NYC to Finger Lakes

Post by Catigale »

Hudson runs about 1.5 knots upstream and 3.5 knots downstream from NYC all the way to Troy, the Federal Lock

That 130 miles for that leg, so something like 35 gallons of gas

Erie Canal is 5 mph so you can idle with really good mileage on those legs


From Albany to the Cayuga Seneca canal at the top of Cayuga is another 160 miles so 200 miles seems short for your estimate
User avatar
NiceAft
Admiral
Posts: 6754
Joined: Tue Feb 01, 2005 7:28 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Upper Dublin,PA, USA: 2005M 50hp.Honda4strk.,1979 Phantom Sport Sailboat, 9'Achilles 6HP Merc 4strk

Re: Gas: From NYC to Finger Lakes

Post by NiceAft »

That 130 miles for that leg, so something like 35 gallons of gas
Is that at hull speed Stephen :?:
Ray ~~_/)~~
User avatar
Catigale
Site Admin
Posts: 10421
Joined: Fri Jun 11, 2004 5:59 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Admiral .............Catigale 2002X.......Lots of Harpoon Hobie 16 Skiffs....Island 17
Contact:

Re: Gas: From NYC to Finger Lakes

Post by Catigale »

NiceAft wrote: Sun Sep 06, 2020 5:01 am
That 130 miles for that leg, so something like 35 gallons of gas
Is that at hull speed Stephen :?:
I was thinking to cruise at 6 knots VOG so your mileage would soar
User avatar
NiceAft
Admiral
Posts: 6754
Joined: Tue Feb 01, 2005 7:28 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Upper Dublin,PA, USA: 2005M 50hp.Honda4strk.,1979 Phantom Sport Sailboat, 9'Achilles 6HP Merc 4strk

Re: Gas: From NYC to Finger Lakes

Post by NiceAft »

So that would take Zamber about 18 hours non stop at hull speed. That computes to1.94 MPG average.

Between the Tappan Zee and Albany, are there enough places to find and pull into, to fuel up when getting low?
Ray ~~_/)~~
User avatar
Catigale
Site Admin
Posts: 10421
Joined: Fri Jun 11, 2004 5:59 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Admiral .............Catigale 2002X.......Lots of Harpoon Hobie 16 Skiffs....Island 17
Contact:

Re: Gas: From NYC to Finger Lakes

Post by Catigale »

There are about 6-9 fuel stops between each bridge which stay open into October.

After October you have you call and plan. Many yacht clubs will arrange for fuel for you.

If you carry a 36 statute mile main tank of 6 gallons, and perhsps 3 in reserve , you can always reach 2-3 options

From Catskill to Albany I can cover you

Once on the canal there is lots of gas.

Comprehensive reference for Hudson

https://www.boatingonthehudson.com/flip ... ne2019.pdf
User avatar
Tomfoolery
Admiral
Posts: 6135
Joined: Tue Jul 05, 2011 7:42 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Rochester, NY '99X BF50 'Tomfoolery'

Re: Gas: From NYC to Finger Lakes

Post by Tomfoolery »

Catigale wrote: Sun Sep 06, 2020 12:30 pmThere are about 6-9 fuel stops between each bridge which stay open into October.

After October you have you call and plan. Many yacht clubs will arrange for fuel for you.

If you carry a 36 statute mile main tank of 6 gallons, and perhsps 3 in reserve , you can always reach 2-3 options

From Catskill to Albany I can cover you

Once on the canal there is lots of gas.
But be advised that the canal system closes October 14. Not sure about early closures of bridges, locks, and guard gates though.

http://www.canals.ny.gov/boating/hours.html
Tom
Be seeing you . . .
User avatar
NiceAft
Admiral
Posts: 6754
Joined: Tue Feb 01, 2005 7:28 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Upper Dublin,PA, USA: 2005M 50hp.Honda4strk.,1979 Phantom Sport Sailboat, 9'Achilles 6HP Merc 4strk

Re: Gas: From NYC to Finger Lakes

Post by NiceAft »

All good information for Zamber.
Ray ~~_/)~~
Post Reply