Can it be Done UK to US by Sea

[derekbland]

Has anyone ever tried to or is it possible to travel to the US with something like a 50' motor cruiser? I assume either way that you would need to carry spare fuel even if you potter but it looks scary but feasible. I understand you would need to plan the fuel stops and I am not looking to do it but would like to know if anyone thinks it's possible from a fuel perspective.

 

[Seastoke]

Ask Richard Branson ,there are no fuel stops I don’t think

 

[rubberduck]

Tow a bowser ?

 

[derekbland]

Ask Richard Branson ,there are no fuel stops I don’t think

I didn't mean direct. I meant going from Faroe Isles, Iceland etc.

 

[Nigelpickin]

These crazy Russians did it, in single engine boats...

 

[trialframe]

Get a Nordhavn then it's easy!

 

[derekbland]

Nice one.

 

[burgundyben]

Didn't Branson do a fuel rendez-vous?

I recall a Flemming did it with bag tanks?

Scotchland to Faroes is less than 300 miles, from there to Iceland is 400, which is Biscay distance, I've done that planning at 20 knots with a forumite. Longest leg I think is crossing the Labrador sea.

Elling, Flemming, Nordy all capable.

 

[stelican]

Has anyone ever tried to or is it possible to travel to the US with something like a 50' motor cruiser? I assume either way that you would need to carry spare fuel even if you potter but it looks scary but feasible. I understand you would need to plan the fuel stops and I am not looking to do it but would like to know if anyone thinks it's possible from a fuel perspective.

Portsmouth man did crossing in Rib 15yrs a go.got a book about it somewhere

 

[Offshore57]

Alan Priddy ?

 

[derekbland]

Portsmouth man did crossing in Rib 15yrs a go.got a book about it somewhere

Portsmouth man = hardy stock.

 

[Offshore57]

Too right..

 

[dpb]

How about in a 21ft outboard boat:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UBzO8xXXkc
(rather them than me!!!)

 

[Firefly625]

4 or 5 Ellings did it a few years back, had to carry some spare fuel. MBY did a write up on it at the time..

 

[sarabande]

In theory one could hitch a ride on the stern wave of a tanker or cruise liner, so that you follow the ship all the way across the pond on a downward slope keeping station the whole time.

Dunno what the Colregs position is, but providing you are not trying to overtake....

 

[BruceK]

Wasn't there a forumite here who had additional rubber fuel cells installed into his boat? I dont think he did the crossing but it would be interesting to see if he gained the range.

Regardless of fuel range though, and the adventurous and undoubtedly brave nutjobs that have managed it in everything from row boats to rubber ducks, to me the question is not so much about fuel range but capability. Would you want to be caught up in an Atlantic storm in a planing boat or even a B rated coastal hopper? Very few A rated 50 footers out there and none I dare say that you'd find appealing enough to want to travel in for extended periods.

 

[Newbroom]

If I remember rightly a correspondent of MBY did it 30 odd years ago in a Trader 41+2.
The ARC leaves every year with motor Boats amongst them. Elling, Fleming, Nordaven, have all done it.
My Trader 575 was fitted with 1200 galls tanks technically had a range of over 2000 miles at 7 knots so choosing the right route it could of done it. I did Guernsey to Gibraltar non stop twice in it, 96 hours at just over 9 knots.The Trader 80 also did the trip from Emsworth to Fort Lauderdale about 20 years ago, not sure of what route they went.

 

[zedcell]

Don't forget rogue waves its now official that they do exist.

 

[Firefly625]

Wasn't there a forumite here who had additional rubber fuel cells installed into his boat? I dont think he did the crossing but it would be interesting to see if he gained the range.

Regardless of fuel range though, and the adventurous and undoubtedly brave nutjobs that have managed it in everything from row boats to rubber ducks, to me the question is not so much about fuel range but capability. Would you want to be caught up in an Atlantic storm in a planing boat or even a B rated coastal hopper? Very few A rated 50 footers out there and none I dare say that you'd find appealing enough to want to travel in for extended periods.

these Ellings, Nordhavn, Flemings etc are all Cat A, I would not image anyone wanting to try it in a planning hulled boat cat B boat... but you never know! However even in sound boat built for oceans its a heck of a long way....

 

[BruceK]

I appreciate that but at 50 foot would you be in a hurry to cross the Atlantic in one? When I was working the ships I had the joy of a few big Atlantic storms. The thought of doing that in any motor boat is daunting. I've seen green water peel past the shelter deck. That's 5 stories up. No thanks. Seriously, no no no not bloody ever, but thanks