How far could I go?

GC1

GC1

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I have an 84 US gallon petrol tank on my new boat, the engine is a Mercruiser 5.0mpi with BIII stainless duo props and the boat is 24'7" long and weighs 2,605kg dry. Is there an experienced forum member who has had similar who can please advise me of how far I can expect to get on a full tank taking into account my safety reserve. e.g. could I get to the Channel Islands or France? or will it just be Studland, Weymouth and the odd daredevil trip to Weymouth? /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Thanks
 
suggest when you get the boat you fill the tanks with petrol. Take plenty of food and cast off headingtowards the bay of biscay. Keep going until the fuel runs out. When you are on empty, note the distance covered. Good luck.
 
There's only one way I'd really be happy working out fuel consumption, and that's by measuring it real life in different conditions and speeds. Fill up with petrol, reset gps log to zero, and set off. When you refill, measure how much you put in, and distance covered and at what speed. Over a period of trips you build up an accurate measure.

With a 170l tank, I can get about 170 nm cruising at 28knts (most efficient cruise speed), but usually limit myself to trips of 120nm and carrying 40 to 60l extra fuel, to allow for having to slow down for sea conditions.
 
Come on now Brendan, I thort you would have it worked out easy. Like yer spontainius navigation method. All down to the enth degree. If you cant work out yer fuel by near 50% how the hell you going to navigate..... /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
 
I think you must mean 4.2 hrs /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif I was thinking of having a reserve tank fitted for safety, but I don't normaly go that far really, just the matter of petrol not being available at some places. IF I bought a spare tank, how big should it be do you think for emergencies?
 
Yes that makes sense, I am going to be pretty nervous next Friday with all new equipment, radio, plotter e.t.c. I may just spend the weekend practising on the driveway at home, I have not had time to read the manuals although Garmin seem to be pretty similar, I have gone from 276C to 3005C with in hull sonar and got the Raymarine 54E DSC radio neither of which I have had time to try out, but got my new MMSI No /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif.

I CANNOT imagine being launched into the ocean with new equipment, trim tabs and a big boat that will probably blow all over the place, I think I may need HELP /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif I wonder if I have gone too big too soon? the trailer is GIGANTIC, and at dry weight I am only 150kg within the limit of 3,500kg gross for the trailer and Landrover /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif Oh! and it will be dark /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif maybe launch on the Saturday then for safety reasons /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
Now Haydn, u're just being bloody awkward, as befits a Black pudding eating Northerner, as in the other thread. Since when has anyone been able to consistently maintain optimum cruise speed on every passage? Having a safety margin suits me. I often have to slow down to 20knts, or even 10 or 5 knts. In which case, range is no where near 170nm

PS next time we meet up I'll show you how quick and easy route plans are, and how easy to use. I don't do them normally, but are fun to do once in a while when you turn the electronics off, and rely purely on old fashioned ways of doing things. It keeps the hand in, for the time you might actually need it.
 
No matter how enthusiastic you are, launching a new boat in the dark for a shakedown cruise is not a good idea - but you know that really!. Spend Friday evening in a big deserted car park practising reversing, and getting to know electrical equipment and manuals, ready for Sat
 
For gawd sake Pete - will you stop worrying! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif You really are an old woman! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Go off to the Caribean, lie in the sun while the rest of us get washed away, read yer manuals on the beach, then when you come back I'll show you how to use the boat! It's not that big!! I ran an advanced course on a 10.5 metre rib last week, now that's big! Had to use binos to see the stern from the helm position /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif The trim tabs are not a problem with a bit of practice. Perhaps the the thing that will cause you most problems is if you go out with the covers up! Don't!! You'd best get some nice warm layers,a nice beanie and some gloves. Oh, if you do use the boat don't spend all the time looking at the electronics - you'll hit something! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

As to fuel consumption - do as Brendan says. You need to run the boat in different conditions to get a true picture of range/fuel consumption. Anyway, remember something else, the more kit you carry on board, the less range you'll get!! Weight plays a part, same as an aircraft, they carry fuel just to carry the fuel. So will you! Load the boat up and it will take longer to get on the plane thus burning more fuel. A diesel would have got you on the plane quicker due to more torque at the lower end.
 
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Anyway, remember something else, the more kit you carry on board, the less range you'll get!!

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Well, that's that then......range? What range? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

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2,000 yards off the starboard beam if we are lucky! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
Thanks to everyone, I have checked and there is a big tide at about 2.15pm ish Saturday, so may well go for that. I may even try and bribe someone to drive it for me while I launch it, see I bought a new Defender 90 to tow it with and I will have to have lessons in that as well, but it seems to be very strong. I had it super chipped which upgraded the torque and bhp for safety reasons as I am towing near the limit, so it is a mean machine. SWMBO refuses to drive it so I am stuffed really, can't launch and drive at the same time /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

The marina crane is only available Mon, Wed, Fri and I am at work so Saturday next week has to be the day. I don't really want to leave it on my driveway for a month so I am anxious to get it in the water. I did a silly thing really, there was an identical boat on the hard at the marina on a few bricks so I reversed SWMBO's car up to it and took a picture just to see what it would be like to tow, now that really SCARED the hell out of me, and it wasn't even on a trailer /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif WHAT HAVE I DONE? If anyone wants to see what I am on about I can post the picture it is FRIGHTENING /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

I am really NOT looking forward to next Friday now, but having bought a new trailer and new tow vehicle swmbo says I am using them whatever /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

The boat is so heavy what if it drags my Land rover down the slip into the sea with the weight of it on the trailer? /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
 
get a grip man, 24' and ooohh those important 7", as actually an old woman with a 49' boat what on earth are you on about.
 
hugenhappy.jpg


don't see the problem GC - your idea of huge adn mine obviously differ..... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

re the range we did that to death last month - can't you remember the conclusion or don't you believe it.

re requiring an additional tank if lnog distance cruising - nope, you will require an additional credit card! St PP however will be mixed blessings as you can get there direct on one tank, and fill up for less than half the price for the return!

Which Saturday are you launching and where?
 
AND that's not a corgi car it's a massive E class Merc /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif I am going to immediately look into getting CCTV onto the stern, I WILL need it, how on earth can I reverse with THAT /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
 
Don\'t worry

I think you are getting far too worried. When the boat is in the water it's amazing how it will 'shrink'. My previous boat was a 24ft Sealine which we towed every year to Spain and yes, it does look huge on the road but you soon get used to it. Make sure that you have a spare wheel for the trailor and that you load your car with equipment not the boat (keep that as light as poss)
I think you are wise having it crained in. You have reduced the stress by 50% by not using the slipway.
have fun
David
 
Re: Don\'t worry

Oh I know about it looking smaller in the water no problems with that, BUT what you see is the REALITY, I WILL be scared witless next Friday, what insane idiot would go round country lanes towing THAT in the DARK looking for the motorway to get home /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif HOW do you know WHAT ON EARTH is behind you? I am seriously having second thoughts about towing, what if I go up a big hill which I have to and it drags me back down like the video clip I saw /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
 
Stop worrying Peter, it will not be a problem. You've got the best towing vehicle, a good trailer, you won't have any more difficuty than your old outfit.

Presumably you're launching at Chatham, don't know what the slipway is like there, but if it's like Cobbs launching won't give you any problems either. Of course the boat won't drag the Landrover down the slip, that's why it's got brakes an engine and a nice low gear 4WD.

All rthe best, have fun, I'm sure you will.
 
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