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hywandrew

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Virginal newbie seeks advice: Have chartered a Chaparrall 240 for a week in the med it has 270 hp Volvo Penta engine, does any one have any general advice on on the use of this boat and any specific advice on optimal engine rev cruising speed, planing speeds and some indication of fuel usage.

thanks in total naive innocence.
 
hywandrew said:
Virginal newbie seeks advice: Have chartered a Chaparrall 240 for a week in the med it has 270 hp Volvo Penta engine, does any one have any general advice on on the use of this boat and any specific advice on optimal engine rev cruising speed, planing speeds and some indication of fuel usage.

thanks in total naive innocence.
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I might be wrong, but I thought charter will require proof of ability, so I assume you have RYA endorsement or something?
Anyway, I d guess this is going to burn about 50 litres an hour for ballpark usage, so you might decide optimal revs depends on your wallet! Chaparral make good boats, so handling shouldnt be an issue; basically drive at what speed is safe and comfortable for everyone !!
I assume you know how to handle boats, right?
 
gjgm said:
I might be wrong, but I thought charter will require proof of ability, so I assume you have RYA endorsement or something?
Anyway, I d guess this is going to burn about 50 litres an hour for ballpark usage, so you might decide optimal revs depends on your wallet! Chaparral make good boats, so handling shouldnt be an issue; basically drive at what speed is safe and comfortable for everyone !!
I assume you know how to handle boats, right?
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Yes have power boat level two both coastal and inland with accompanying ICC but have limited experience. This is my first foray into the water without someone ultimately more experienced than me so I am like a car driver with those little green stickers on the back. I know the waters where I will be using it very well just looking for general tips and trying to work out fuel consumption so I don't finish up bobing about with no power. Also trying to get a heads up from a handling point of view as the Bay of Roses where it is, is subject to some nasty winds from the north aggravated by the pyrenees
 
hywandrew said:
Virginal newbie seeks advice: Have chartered a Chaparrall 240 for a week in the med it has 270 hp Volvo Penta engine, does any one have any general advice on on the use of this boat and any specific advice on optimal engine rev cruising speed, planing speeds and some indication of fuel usage.

thanks in total naive innocence.
Click to expand...

What a great boat! I had one and kept it in Menorca one summer! The Hull is very competent for that size of boat. She will comfortably do 40kts trimmed out but I would cruise at 3500RPM which is about 28kts. The boat is pretty economical and a full tank will last you a full week. The accomodation is great and the drivers seat folds down to create a large sunlounger. I loved my 240, enjoy here she will feel a lot bigger than 24ft! The weight distribution is pretty critical though as most weight because of the seating ends up on the right hand side so you need to use the trim tabs to sort out. I re did all my batteries etc and moved them to the left to counteract the weight.

Any more specifics let me know

Paul
 
hywandrew said:
Yes have power boat level two both coastal and inland with accompanying ICC but have limited experience.
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You asked for some Tips Mate
OK
Remember your PB 2 Course
'Steer and Gear' would have been mentioned
That is important
When you get on board and and eventually go to sea
Practice a few manouvers you did on the Course
It will familiarise you with the vessel
Which will be probably different than the one you did the Course on
Helming out to sea will be ok
You may have to deal with trimming the outdrives (if said baot has them and trim tabs) again maybe not something you will have experienced.

Coming back to a Marina or Mooring will seem the hardest trick, I would imagine
For the first time especially
Go as slow as poss
Kust nudge Her in an out of gear
Remembering where the outdrives or rudders are
'Slow as Poss mate' that's the Clue;)

As you say the wind will the thing to watch
Use this to your advantage
Tides, well not much to bother about ref range
But there will be currents about!
Good Luck!!
 
OK, well with everything else in life its the learning curve of experience that keeps you out of trouble ;)
My tip would be dont get carried away; its a competent boat, but dont let people get up unless they tell the skipper- chucking the boat into a turn not knowing someone isnt seated is going to turn into an accident. And remember that the boat and crew are your responsibility, so playing macho man at the expense of someone elses unease or safety isnt the idea.
Thats not supposed to sound like a lecture, but sometimes you just need to check that everyone else thinks this is screaming fun, and to pinch yourself to make sure that you arent doing anything reckless.
 
Thanks for the help particularly Nautorious just what I needed.

As for flying about doing turns don't think that is a problem I will have, my idea of adventure is having my wine at not quite the right temperature 'just for the hell of it!'
 
Am back from my Mediterranean holiday with built in boat rental, firstly thanks to everyone who gave me advice on the boat a Chaparrall 240 this was a beautifully balanced craft absolutely ideal for the novice, it was so easy to control and handled the seas well. Lots of space and well planned so there were little spaces for people to eat, sunbathe or just take in the sights.

Secondly thanks to the RYA and the training I received from them after being trepidatious about taking the boat initially I was extremely heartened at how succesfully (I thought) I handled it, I certainly was equipped to do what I did which was travel from L'Escala to Estartit use the Marina for fuel and food then back to Ampurie Brava and on to Roses again for fuel and food before returning to L'Escala. The seas were not bad but certainly not calm and the wind was moderate.

Unfortunately I am now absolutely hooked on this boating lark!
 
hywandrew said:
Am back from my Mediterranean holiday with built in boat rental, firstly thanks to everyone who gave me advice on the boat a Chaparrall 240 this was a beautifully balanced craft absolutely ideal for the novice, it was so easy to control and handled the seas well. Lots of space and well planned so there were little spaces for people to eat, sunbathe or just take in the sights.

Secondly thanks to the RYA and the training I received from them after being trepidatious about taking the boat initially I was extremely heartened at how succesfully (I thought) I handled it, I certainly was equipped to do what I did which was travel from L'Escala to Estartit use the Marina for fuel and food then back to Ampurie Brava and on to Roses again for fuel and food before returning to L'Escala. The seas were not bad but certainly not calm and the wind was moderate.

Unfortunately I am now absolutely hooked on this boating lark!
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Nice that a newbie has bothered to give a follow-up response, you will go far on here!

The only thing you were missing were a few photos!
 
hywandrew said:
Am back from my Mediterranean holiday with built in boat rental, firstly thanks to everyone who gave me advice on the boat a Chaparrall 240 this was a beautifully balanced craft absolutely ideal for the novice, it was so easy to control and handled the seas well. Lots of space and well planned so there were little spaces for people to eat, sunbathe or just take in the sights.



Glad everything worked out for you, well done.

You mentioned built in boat rental, was the boat included with a villa/apartment?? Sounds a good idea.
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Bojangles said:
hywandrew said:
Am back from my Mediterranean holiday with built in boat rental, firstly thanks to everyone who gave me advice on the boat a Chaparrall 240 this was a beautifully balanced craft absolutely ideal for the novice, it was so easy to control and handled the seas well. Lots of space and well planned so there were little spaces for people to eat, sunbathe or just take in the sights.



Glad everything worked out for you, well done.

You mentioned built in boat rental, was the boat included with a villa/apartment?? Sounds a good idea.
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No organised it myself, just that I 'built it in' prior to going.
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