Cool things I saw at the boat show

S

starcrafttom

Active member
Hi, So I went back to the show on Monday to spend a little time taking a long look at neat new stuff, if i could find any. Well I found lots of new little things and even picked up some gossip of future releases. So I thought I would share some of them each day. and I hope that some of you will share what you saw. So here is the first one

http://www.interactio.co/optio-fuel

So I ran into the owner inventor of this neat little project. its a simple wireless fuel flow monitor that requires no wires and is more accurate then the flow scan ( which I have on my boat now) it also has a lot more information available to the user. You can monitor it from you wireless device of your choice. It calculates fuel used, fuel remaining, MPH vs GHP to give you your best efficiency and even continuously calculates the highest speed you can run for the least amount of fuel and displays it on the map as your EcoRange optimized cruise. It does all this and a little more, follow the link, for 299.00 dollars. The flow scan is http://www.floscan.com/html/blue/modelselection.php 510 to 900 depending on which model you need. That's per motor. If you are looking at twin diesel you will need two per motor. Thats 299 x 4 or 645 x 4. $1200 or $2550. Thats a big savings. I am considering replacing the flow scan if anyone wants one. make a offer.

ON edit. they have a twin diesel show special for $959.00
 
Tom, That Optio Fuel is cool. I called to confirm the lowest flow measurement that works and it's 1 gallon per hour. Think it would work on my 40 Yami twins except at idle. Nice. And it works on Android as will as Eye stuff.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

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I have a Faria flow meter on my CD 16 Yamaha 40, which is overkill if using it to gauge optimum cruising efficiency. Optimizing my fuel usage from 8.1 to 8.2 miles per gallon doesn't justify spending $200.

When it works, it reads down to .2 gph. But when cruising along at just above idle, it doesn't show anything because fuel usage is too low, although it (reportedly) still keeps track of total usage. Total usage is it's major benefit for me. The first couple of times I used it, it kept track of total usage down to 1/10 of a gallon on my 23 gallon tank. That's a lot better than my flopping needle gauge. With the analog needle gauge, I can usually guess within about 4 gallons of empty depending on sea conditions. So, when the fuel flow meter works it is great, especially when filling the tank and knowing the amount needed within a 10th of a gallon.

The problem has been that after several hours of cruising at fast idle, which is "zero gallons per hour," the sensor unit doesn't work properly when I throttle up. My understanding is that it is a little paddle wheel and a light. I've tapped it a few times to get it going, but forgetting to do that a few times for 15 minutes throws everything off. Working intermittently isn't good enough. It could be that a mere 3 gallons per hour (about my max) isn't enough hydraulic force to get things spinning again.

I haven't bothered to mess with it yet, but I did find a replacement fuel measuring unit with the same sensitivity for about $40. It's called a DigiFlow and there's a picture of it in my photos of my gas tank install. The "micro" model is reportedly sensitive enough for smaller outboards. The sending unit looks almost identical to the Faria.

One reason for not installing the DigiFlow is that it doesn't have a standard 2" gauge that fits on my dash (which now has a hole for the Faria gauge). Not a big deal, but I also don't see a dash mount gauge for Optio Fuel. That would be my preference. I don't need more clutter in the ditty box next to the helm.

The $200 price difference between the DigiFlow and the Optio Fuel is probably because one is for a boat. :D

Mark
 
These turbine type of fuel flow meters often require a filter inline before the meter. Good find--and interesting app. Cost is going to be fairly close to what a Garmin sensor, plus the NMEA 2000 setup will be.

Be interesting to see how they hold up--You could have this on the I pad--along with the navigation and tide apps etc.
 
I don't get it.

Why monitor instant readout mpg, gph? Time proven fuel management is the
"Rules of Thirds". One third of your fuel supply to get to your destination, one
third to get home and one third for emergency use. Plus, if the fuel gauge falls
below 1/4, refuel now. It's worked for me for over 1/4 century.

Moreover, boaters who spend tens of thousands of dollars on their chosen craft,
more on the trailer, even more on the tow vehicle are wanting data, instantaneous
data, on fuel use which amounts to only several dollars per hour. Then, spending
hundreds more for gadgets to see fuel 'flow' on your smart phone (hundreds more
every month) is a mystery to me. Trying to "save fuel" with all these expenses to
do so - why not put the many hundreds spent on unnecessaries into just more
fuel?

Aye.
Grandma used to say, "If it's not broken, don't mess with it."
 
Foggy":2x5ue1x5 said:
I don't get it.

Why monitor instant readout mpg, gph? Time proven fuel management is the
"Rules of Thirds". One third of your fuel supply to get to your destination, one
third to get home and one third for emergency use. Plus, if the fuel gauge falls
below 1/4, refuel now. It's worked for me for over 1/4 century.
Moreover, boaters who spend tens of thousands of dollars on their chosen craft,
more on the trailer, even more on the tow vehicle are wanting data, instantaneous
data, on fuel use which amounts to only several dollars per hour. Then, spending
hundreds more for gadgets to see fuel 'flow' on your smart phone (hundreds more
every month) is a mystery to me. Trying to "save fuel" with all these expenses to
do so - why not put the many hundreds spent on unnecessaries into just more
fuel?

Aye.
Grandma used to say, "If it's not broken, don't mess with it."
Click to expand...

1. Many of our boats do not have fuel gauges. If we have the gauges, they often are not accurate. (The 22's have semi translucent tanks where you can get an approximation of fuel level in the right light.)

2. Many of us take voyages where there is no "out and back"--we take a route, for example in AK., where fuel stops are few and far between. Thus we may run part of the time at higher speeds, to make a pass at the proper time, or to have enough daylight, vs low displacement speed to save fuel. An accurate amount of fuel used/remaining will determine what speed to run. We used this combination to do a run which was beyond what we would have considered our "normal range".

3. It is of value to know what is your most efficient speed (fuel consumption) for the conditions: This may mean the way the boat is loaded, the altitude or the sea conditions.

4. Many do want to get the best "mileage"The fuel burn depends on the way the boat is trimmed (engine trim and trim tabs). With the flow gauge, you get this almost instantly and can make adjustments. Not only the cost of fuel, but having enough fuel to make the trip is important.

5. I'll give another example--Pat Anderson, is concerned about one particular run on the "Great Loop". A fuel flow gauge will allow him to calculate the miles which he can run, with the current which he has pushing him. This is totally unknown from previous experience, and will allow him to decide if he needs to have a fuel truck meet him at a launching ramp, or if he can make the run with the 100 gallons of fuel he carries. It will also allow him to adjust the speed (fuel consumption) to make the run, if necessary without re-fueling.
 
Thank you Bob for answering that question. I try to deal with positive question. How does it work, what it will do, what benefits it has. No " why bother" . If you have to ask that then its not for you and I don't know why you would bother committing. :wink:
 
There is no gauge with the Opti Fuel, so no hole in the dash. It works through an app on either an I-Pad or I-Phone or an Android device and connects via Blue Tooth.

As to Why. I agree with the rule of thirds, but as Bob mentions, there are frequently times when there is no "out and back" and optimizing the fuel burn for the greatest efficiency is a way of being sure I can make it to the next fuel stop. With the Opti Fuel, it actually displays a map and using GPS function for speed and position, puts you in the middle of a circle. There are actually two circles. One shows your max range at current settings and a second, green circle that shows what your max range would be if you optimize settings, (trim, and throttle) for maximum performance.

For twin OB's it will take two units. Not sure how that works with one blue tooth device.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

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Some wordy catharsis about not always "out and back" requiring
optional fuel data from gadgets:

How did we (safely) get anywhere on the water before these fancy
unnecessary somewhat complicated new fangled expensive gauges
were available? Invent sailbotes?

Oh, do you realize gasoline currently is relatively cheap?

Aye.
Grandma used to say, "Sailbotes sailed before motorboats."
Grandpa used to say, "There's a difference between wanting and needing."
 
I like "new fangled gadgets" ....but then again I also loved GPS when it first came out, while many of my friends preferred a chart and compass. I also have radar even though I hate fog and have no plans to enter it, but you never-never know.

I also purchased a fancy new gadget called a fishfinder/GPSchartplotter when they first came out. Some of my 'older' fishing friends insisted it was a waste of money. Interestingly all of them now use fishfinder/chartplotters.

I even have one of those new 'epirb' thingy's albeit I have never seen it actually work. I'm also shopping for an AIS system :roll:
 
Foggy":3eojgj3g said:
Some wordy catharsis about not always "out and back" requiring
optional fuel data from gadgets:

How did we (safely) get anywhere on the water before these fancy
unnecessary somewhat complicated new fangled expensive gauges
were available? Invent sailbotes?

Oh, do you realize gasoline currently is relatively cheap?

Aye.
Grandma used to say, "Sailbotes sailed before motorboats."
Grandpa used to say, "There's a difference between wanting and needing."
Click to expand...

Foggy-

I not only agree with you on this, but feel the same way about a lot of the other stuff people put on boats these days, except that a good GPS, radar, and VHF radio are essential when traveling in fog prone areas, particularly around lots of other marine traffic.

For some, it looks like boating has become their way of taking their computer/high tech/electronics/software hobby offshore and out of their office/home. But as they say, "to each his or her own*", and" your mileage may vary".

* his/her/or variable, as proposed now for Californians.

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
Sea Wolf":2g3c4buo said:
Foggy":2g3c4buo said:
Some wordy catharsis about not always "out and back" requiring
optional fuel data from gadgets:

How did we (safely) get anywhere on the water before these fancy
unnecessary somewhat complicated new fangled expensive gauges
were available? Invent sailbotes?

Oh, do you realize gasoline currently is relatively cheap?

Aye.
Grandma used to say, "Sailbotes sailed before motorboats."
Grandpa used to say, "There's a difference between wanting and needing."
Click to expand...

Foggy-

I not only agree with you on this, but feel the same way about a lot of the other stuff people put on boats these days, except that a good GPS, radar, and VHF radio are essential when traveling in fog prone areas, particularly around lots of other marine traffic.

For some, it looks like boating has become their way of taking their computer/high tech/electronics/software hobby offshore and out of their office/home. But as they say, "to each his or her own*", and" your mileage may vary".

* his/her/or variable, as proposed now for Californians.

Joe. :teeth :thup
Click to expand...

Joe,

Thanks for the (rare) kudo.

I'm "on board" with you 100%; fixation on gadgets vs passages.

Aye.
 
I love that new gadget and if my boat consumed more than .3 gallons per hour at hull speed which is as fast as I can go, I'd buy one because I'm a nerd. And being a nerd makes any new gadget a worth while investment.
 
And the benefit for me: My fancy gauge says that I've used 13.7 gallons. I pull in to the fuel dock. No need to guess how much I can safely put in. "Safely put in," i.e., it's a safety device for me.

One third out, one third back, and one third because of the inaccuracy of using a primitive guestimate. That works. So can 1/4 out, 1/4 back, and half a tank. So can listening for the shore break in a fog, or yelling and listening for the echo to calculate your distance from shore. The old ways still work.

I have redundant fuel gauges. No radar. No refrigeration. No head. No stereo. No sink. No pressure water. No underwater transom lights (to date, my favorite worthless boating gewgaw). Different strokes for different folks.

Mark
 
On the Opto fuel monitor, they say:
"Stop Wasting Fuel!
get Optio Fuel, Order Now, Save Money, Optimize your cruise
Optio Fuel continuously calculates the highest speed you can run for the least amount of fuel and displays it on the map as your EcoRange optimized cruise."

I'm curious, how do they optimize your cruise? On Journey On, which has a fuel monitor, gallons per nm goes up as speed goes down. So does the algorithm Opto uses say to go as slow as you can? That's idle. In other words, what does "optimization" mean?

BTW, I enjoy a dedicated monitor. Judy can use the cell phone and I don't care. Navigation is on a separate dedicated monitor, depth is on a separate dedicated monitor and so is the fuel monitor. And I use a separate voltmeter. So I'd prefer that the Optio linked to a dedicated monitor.

Boris
 
FWIW,

On our first SE Alaska cruise, our CD22 had a decent radio and chartplotter (though "selective availability" still made our position accurate only to within a few hundred feet). No radar. We did OK.

We didn't learn how far we could travel on a tank of fuel until we were forced to stretch it pretty far, out on the west side of Chichagof Island. After that adventure, we filled up slowly and wrote down how much fuel it took to get from each mark on the gauge to the next (non-linear, unfortunately). Found that we were down to 5 gallons out of 58 - way too close for comfort.

On our second boat, we went through the exercise to calibrate our fuel gauge very early.
 
Foggy Said:
"Oh, do you realize gasoline currently is relatively cheap?"
Click to expand...

It may be cheap (and in some of those out of the way places it is very not cheap) but that won't make much difference of you can't get there.

Boris, I'm with you, I would like a dedicated gauge also. Don't really like having to have my cell phone powered up and running (or having to obtain a second one to monitor a second tank - I'm running twins, each drinking from a separate tank), constantly to see if I will make it to that next fuel pump.

Mark, I agree it is a safety tool, in the way you use it but also in knowing you can cover the distance, or adjust what you need to do so. That gives peace of mind so less stress and more comfortable cruising.

On SleepyC, I also believe in redundancy. I have 3 VHF's, 2 MMSI installed for DSC function, 2 AIS inputs to the Chart plotter, and a small backup plotter(GPS). there are 3 GPS units, and 2 horns, a bag of flares, several knives, and food in the ditchbag. There are backups and workarounds for everything. Besides that I have twin engines. My boating motto is: have duplicate duplicity and redundant redundancy.

I am not a nerd, gearhead or techie, but I am firm believer in being safe and covered on the boat. I single hand 98% of the time and buddy boat only about 10%. I think being careful is being practical. You never know what is coming over the horizon (unless you have AIS).

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

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