photo credit: Ali Kazal / Pexels

Key Takeaways

• Boat fuel planning is about completing the entire trip safely, not simply having enough fuel to reach the destination.
• The U.S. Coast Guard recommends the one-third rule: one-third of the fuel for going out, one-third for returning, and one-third held in reserve.
• Weather, sea conditions, passenger and gear load, route changes, and return conditions can all affect a boat’s fuel requirements.
• A fuel gauge should be treated as one piece of information rather than a substitute for route planning and a reserve.
• A good float plan and a realistic fuel margin can prevent an ordinary range problem from becoming a much more serious situation on the water.