We worked with Joe Dydasco, FloScan Sales Manager to determine which FloScan fuel monitoring system would be the best fit to work with our Yanmar 6LY2A 440 Hp engines and our Raymarine engine displays. Then we had Petros Kouraklis from Petros Marine Service in Newport Beach (949) 673-5040 install a set of the new FloScan FloNet Diesel Series recommended by Joe that will interface our Raymarine E80 NMEA 2000 onboard Navigation network via PGN 127489 (Engine Parameters Dynamic). The FloNet units will send the following data to the NMEA network. The first 4 data items are the most useful for our type of cruising and at this point, I am not sure if the Raymarine units can display the other parameters.
Gary Schreck from Alcom Marine will have his technicians complete the installation by connecting the FloNet units to our NMEA network. Petros will return to dynamically calibrate the units. All of this to be able to determine the most efficient RPM/fuel burn for two cruising speeds, 7 to 12 knots trawler speed where the trip is more important than the destination and 17 to 22 knots when the need arises to get there first before the next guy. The lower speed does not present much of a problem but when running at the higher RPM, efficient fuel burn is critical. With diesel now at a $4.24 per gallon rate, we need to manage fuel burn very closely. We worked with Joe and Petros previously when we had Floscans installed on our last boat, HALCYON, a 2000 Luhrs 340 Sportfisher. The amount of fuel cost avoided (not saved) was tremendous. Before Petros installed the units on the Luhrs, we made several runs from Long Beach to Catalina and back at different RPM/Speed settings to set a baseline and see if I had calculated the sweet spot using my old HP-12C as far as efficient fuel burn. After Petros installed and calibrated the FloScans, we made the same runs to Catalina and back but with the RPM set to the most efficient fuel burn based on the readings from the FloScan units. We found that running at 17 knots was more efficient than running at 15 knots. With that, I was sold and going forward, if I get stupid and buy another boat, the FloScans will be installed before I take delivery. Petros tolerated me looking over his shoulder throughout the installation and he kept up a running monolog explaining the why and how of each installation step. I recommend the FloScans to any boater concerned with managing their fuel consumption. And for those in southern California, I definitely recommend Petros for the the installation. Here is a pic of the FloNet units installed behind the helm. Click on the pic below for a full size view of the NMEA units mounted behind the helm or scroll up to the top of this page and click on Gallery to see the engine room installation of the measuring and sending units.
