Does riding the Hudson River tides -- northbound on a rising high tide; southbound on a falling tide -- make that much difference in how much fuel is used/saved on long trips? And if so, what would be the optimum times of departure (an hour or so prior to each event, for example)? What's been your experience?
Riding the Tide
- Thread starter BillM2
- Start date
Yes, riding with the tide will definitely save you fuel. How much, I'm not sure anyone can say for sure. It seems that most times I want to go in the direction that the tide isn't. An hour or so before the tide change, I believe would put you in what's called slack tide, where the water pretty much isn't going in any direction. So that would probably be in your favor. You would probably have to check the tide tables for locations on the Hudson to really schedule effectively. Can you out run an incoming or outgoing tide for example? I don't know. Now if you have the wind and tide in your favor, you're really cookin.
Sure it does. In my boat a slow cruise is 19-20 kts at 2900 rpm and burn around 9 gph with the tide. Against the tide it is more like 14 gph. or more and usually have to run at 2200 to 2400.
One thing to keep in mind, especially on an incoming tide, is that the water might be going up one side but down the other in a swirling action. Most power boats don't usually see a big difference but sail boats and trawlers do.
One thing to keep in mind, especially on an incoming tide, is that the water might be going up one side but down the other in a swirling action. Most power boats don't usually see a big difference but sail boats and trawlers do.