I have just ordered a new 315 for delivery next year.  It seems the 315 is the only Hanse model without a fuel gauge, and Hanse Uk quote £495 to fit one.

1.  Does anyone have information on fuel efficiency - i.e engine running time per litre of diesel?

2.  Has anyone fitted a gauge themselves?

Otherwise the boat seems to have everything, except a grill on the cooker - apparently the Germans do not realise the importance of toast!

Hi Tony

I bought a brand new 312 last year. I ordered a fuel guage as an extra to be fitted by the dealer. I can assure you it did not cost anything like the figure quoted - much cheaper. I shall'nt say how much but either they sold it at a loss or there is a good profit in it for the dealer at the price you're referring to. since I was there when they installed it, I can say it took 2 guys about 2 hours, though this is probably longer than it should, because they had to go away to get a circular hole cutter and really it was only a one man job anyway!. my suggestion is either see if you can negotiate with Hanse or alternatively have a word with a local marine electrician for an alternative quote.

With respect to whether you need it. I think the engine must be fairly efficient. It takes a lot of motoring to empty the tank. I'm always surprised at how little fuel has been used whenever I look at the guage. Against that I dont think you could conveniently 'dip' the tank - would require a flexible rod and standing on the side deck. It is very comforting to know how much fuel you've got - diesels dont like running dry- bleeding injectors etc! I think the comfort factor makes it a must for me!

tony1 wrote: 1.  Does anyone have information on fuel efficiency - i.e engine running time per litre of diesel?

Hi,

Based on two summer's worth of experience with a 312, the average consumption is pretty close to 1 liter/hour. This is based on sailing habits of only motoring in and out of harbours, and occasionally motoring on calm days at 3000 rpm.

Regards,

Susanne

536 Hours now on the clock. Volvo 2020MD standard 2 bladed prop.Standard fin 315 Hanse

Average is 1.66 litres over whole period .normally do about 5.9 Knots at 2800 revs. In the Dutch canals over 2 lots of 2 week holidays we did a bit less - about 1.3 litres - averaging about 5.5 knots.

Highest consumption was in a severe gale when we could not carry main as 2nd reef was too big. Consumption went up to about 1.9/2.0 litres per hour. But we were really struggling in head wind.

Hi,

I think 1-1,5 is the effektive Yanmar 2GM20 fuel consumption. You need to remember that you maybe have a diesel heating. Therewith you don't have a hour counter.

I would talk to a local service partner because the gauge cost's 100-200€ (a good one) and it shouldn't take longer than 2 hours.

I think about building in one with a switch also for a water gauge.

Regards Thomas.

I bought a brand new 311 in 2002 (hull #101) and it did come with a fuel gauge.  It is down below next to the battery charger panel.  It even has back lighting so I can see it in the dark. 

I burn about 1 to 1.5 liters per hour depending the seas and the RPM's I am at.

Matt

Hello

There is a formula for liters per hour over horse, however I have lost it. I think 25 hp is 4 lts or one US gal.

I work on 2 lts per hour,so clock hours on fill up and always have plenty in reserve, when tank is in theory low.

Simon

You'll find a fuel consumption graph for the 3YM20 here....

http://www.yanmarmarine.com/products/pdf/GM_YM/3YM20_TechData.pdf - http://www.yanmarmarine.com/products/pdf/GM_YM/3YM20_TechDat a.pdf

Between 1 and 2 litres per hour fits with our year of experience with our 2GM20. We keep filling up too early as well since we don't have a fuel gauge either.

Regards,
Andrew

Tony

I have a 3YM30 on my 312 and the fuel consumption figures at the lower revs seem to agree with those given on the Yanmar website that Andrew mentions above - i.e. between 1 and 1.5 litres per hour.

Without a fuel gauge I was always filling up early as well. The problem is that if you increase the engine revs to overcome a strong head wind the fuel consumption can go up to 3 litres per hour so you have to apply caution to any calculated consumption.

Last winter I fitted a plastimo fuel gauge and sender which from memory cost about eighty pounds. I fitted the sender unit into the tank access hatch which could be drilled off the boat and avoid getting swarf into the tank. The gauge itself I fitted next to (and wired into) the engine switch panel. The only problem I have is it tends to read low. So when the tank is full it reads just over 3/4 full. When it reads empty the tank is still over 1/4 full. I think this may be excessive resistance on the sender wiring so this winter I may try increasing the wire thickness. But the gauge does give an indication of what's left and currently reads on the safe side.

I put a similar gauge into the water tank.

Tank sender fitted to hatch

Sender unit in place

Fuel gauge in Cockpit

Hope this may be of help

Regards

Alan

The fuel tank is under the double berth in the after cabin.

Regards

Alan