Boating fuel costs can be minimized for holiday fun

The Missouri State Water Patrol offers a few tips for minimizing fuel costs on the water:

• Leave unnecessary items at home, because a boat with less weight operates more efficiently.

• Get a tune-up for the boat before heading out.

• Tune the propeller on the boat. A poorly tuned propeller can account for a 10 percent loss in speed, which translates into fuel loss.

• Clean the bottom of the boat so less effort and fuel are required to push it through the water.

• Operate the boat at low RPMs. Idling or shutting off the motor for longer periods of time also will save fuel.

• Limit the time spent on the water and look for activities that don’t require the use of fuel.