The Perfect Couple Rising fuel costs are of serious concern. And
even though fuel prices are dropping at the time of this
writing, they may be on the rise again by the time these words
are read. Even if that's not the case, it's widely held that
fuel prices will eventually rise and never come down to levels
seen during past decades. As a result, achieving improvements in
fuel economy has become a high priority throughout the marine
industry, as it has in many other segments of business. Engine
manufacturers have risen to the challenge, delivering
sophisticated new powerplants that not only burn less fuel but
also produce fewer emissions. However, the fact remains that
diesel engines will generally run most efficiently when they're
operating near their full rated capacity. And that poses a
problem for recreational as well as commercial craft. Many
yachts are fitted with engines capable of delivering speeds of
20, 30, 40 knots or more, yet their owners cruise at far slower
speeds most of the time. While they'll