Hunton 37 XRS Port Grimaud to Palma.

[chappers3530]

Hi,

Any advice would be more than welcome, We have just purchased a 2008 Hunton XRS 37 with Volvo D6 370hp and on Tuesday morning we collect the boat from Port Grimaud France and will be taking her to Palma where she will stay. This is not a journey I have done before and waters im not familiar with and a boat we haven't really tried and tested. Our plan is to do some testing in the morning and then head to the Porquerolles marina on Iles d'Heres where we will fuel up. Then we have a choice weather permitting, either go straight to the north of Mallorca or go safe and head to Spain, down to Barcelona and across. We can hold about 700 litres and waves permitting think we can cruise at 30knts. Im also not familiar with the engines and have only used date from an MBY test. Any thoughts appreciated.

 

[Stats007]

I'm assuming they'e twin D6s? I looked long and hard at a 36 with twin KAD300s - that would cruise at 30 knots at 3000 rpm burning around 35 - 40l per hour per engine. I expect your fuel burn will be slightly higher but probably 35 knots for the same rpm.

 

[z1ppy]

I don't know the details of your specific boat but our 37 with d6 350 was pretty efficient at up to 45 kts with little saving to be had for slowing in terms of mpg.. Yes lph went up as did speed so distance covered also increased.

If you haven't already, speak to Martin Payne who knows huntons inside out and back to front. He will have better figures for you.

I also don't know the distances involved but can tell you the 37 is an absolute beauty of a boat and will handle just about anything to throw at her. Just make sure you land her level and don't be shy with pushing on in the rough stuff.

Please take some pics and video to share!

 

[Nick_H]

If Stats007 figures are right (and I've no idea if they are), then you should be OK on range, although i'd head to Ciutadella in Menorca to refuel, as I think it will be too tight to go straight to Palma. You need to confirm his figures though, and you probably wont have done enough cruising the day before to judge it by your own use, so maybe speak to Hunton? You also need to be sure that your hull and drives are clean as even a small amount of fouling can have a big effect on fuel use at higher speeds.

Have you had an engine survey and sea trial as part of the purchase? It's a long trip with no bolt holes if you start to have problems, so I wouldn't want to pick up an unknown boat and just go, although I suppose delivery skippers do that all the time.

Finally you want really settled weather for that trip, and don't forget you can be going through different weather systems. Monitor Passage Weather (http://www.passageweather.com/) in the few days before the planned trip and compare against the Meteo France offshore forecast and the local forecast for the Balearics. Ideally you want fairly light winds behind you most of the way. Have a backup plan if the winds are not light.

 

[Portofino]

Porquorolles are about 1h or so away once out of St Trop bay .Fuel is dear there ,cheaper in Hayres .There is a VP agent Halliday marine on P -English guy , if need him ??
Its choppy between the mainland and approach to P -so great place to realise if your plan will work ie balance wave height / speed without committing so to speak .
would have thought 3000 something rpm in a H37 will be nearer high to mid thirties Knots wise .
It all depends on the wave height /direction as others have said passageweather.com its kinda ok ish ?

Hmn I would go the long way round to shake down to Spain hugging the coast -then nip across in best conditions
Assuming you have a working ERIPB + liferaft -water is 16 -17oC at the mo ,

unless flat clam with a tail wind .
figure on 80L /h fuel burn so 7-8 hours or a little more endurance before gauges are well into the red .

 

[jfm]

Nice machine. I have done that trip several times. I think I would want hard fuel burn data before setting off. Why not at least fill up to brim in Port Grimaud (nice fuel berth there) and drive to Porquerolles and re-fill, so get some data. Fuel is cheaper in PG anyway.
After that, if data is sensible, you should be fine if weather is good. I don't have logbooks and charts to hand but from porquerolles Mahon is about 215 iirc, and Cuitadella similar, or if fuel numbers are good go to Alcudia/Pollensa and then Palma along the beautiful N.coast of Mallorca. Possibly even Soller, if fuel numbers are very good. Just keep sharp eye on weather because there are no boltholes, no RNLI, no passing traffic. You're on your own, apart from whales and dolphins

 

[Portofino]

All depends on the sea state -direct or the long ( coast hugging ) way ,but that may be bumpy too .37 ft is kinda borderline in my view .Doable --- Interesting to find out how it went ?

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=b3l-DprB8Ho

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jH6HPw58vTg

 

[[2068]]

If it was me, I would blast down to Barcelona first, have a nice meal out at Bestial on the beach, then head across the next day.

 

[ben331]

I have a boat in PG, checked fuel prices last week and it's cheaper in Sainte Maxime at the moment

 

[Boatbore]

I know this boat well. She belonged to friends of mine and I have driven her many times. You will be able to cruise at 35 to 40 knots in good conditions easily, and she will do 55 knots flat out. Fuel consumption is excellent, but I don't remember the exact stats. Given her speed, and she will top out at 55 knots, I would take the longer but less stressful route too. You don't need to go all the way to Barcelona, but if it was me I would hop across the golfe, refuel in mainland Spain and then go on to Mallorca.