What is the maximum range at cruising speed?

• A. 100 NM
• B. 200 NM
• C. 300 NM
• D. 400 NM

Answer: (B)

Range at cruising speed is the distance you can travel on the fuel you’ve got when the boat is operating at its most economical speed. At that speed the engine uses fuel most efficiently, giving the best miles per gallon (nautical miles per unit of fuel). For the 29'RBS II, the practical maximum distance you can cover on a full tank, accounting for a reasonable safety reserve, is about 200 nautical miles.

If you push the boat faster, fuel burn climbs and the distance you can cover before refueling decreases. If you slow down well below cruising speed, you travel more slowly, but you don’t gain additional range in the sense of increasing the total distance you can cover with the same amount of fuel, especially once reserves are considered. The 200 NM figure reflects operating at the most economical point, balancing speed and fuel use to maximize distance on hand.