More on the Olga 28

Olga 28 Tardis         Photo: John Kessinger

Thanks to Paul Kessinger, builder of Tardis (the first Olga 28 to be launched), I can share some performance figures. The information below is from Paul's excellent blog that details building and cruising on Tardis.


This graph shows fuel flow (FF) in gallons per hour, efficiency in nautical miles per gallon (NMG), and speed in knots (Kts). The x axis is engine RPM. Tardis is fitted with a 90 HP ETEC outboard.

The gray line (speed in knots Kts) shows a gradual increase to around 9 knots, and then a sharper increase with increasing RPM. The fuel burn increases steadily with RPM, while nautical miles per gallon declines very slowly after the initial drop in the 2000-3000 RPM range.

The steady increase in speed (Kts) vs RPM and fuel flow (FF) reflects the very smooth transition from displacement to planing speed. Its really not noticeable when you are aboard, and this graph gives the figures to support that.   

Olga 28 Tardis  slipping along in the East River (CT)
Photo: John Kessinger

Olga 28 Update

Paul and Molly Kessinger aboard Tardis at the show

The first Olga 28 to be completed (Tardis) was launched in Connecticut by Paul Kessinger in the spring of 2017. Paul entered Tardis in the WoodenBoat show at Mystic Seaport, and my partner Christine and I went back to meet Paul, and his wife Molly, enjoy their wonderful  hospitality, and see the boat. There was lots of interest from attendees, who were eager to hear about Paul's experience building Tardis. After the show we took Tardis for a spin down the coast. More details on that in my next post. For now some of Christine's photos:

Builder Paul Kessinger (on the left) and me (on the right) chatting aboard Tardis

The interior of Tardis, showing the raised sole
at the settee on the right, with storage below

Another view of the interior of Tardis. Paul opted for a separate helm seat,
which is very comfortable in use

Olga 28 Tardis going into the water after the end of the
Mystic Seaport  WoodenBoat Magazine show in 2017

The wake of the Olga 28 Tardis while running at about 14 knots.