Speed isn't everything

Guest · 8 Jul 2003

Speed isn\'t everything

We're on our fourth boat. Each one has been bigger and slower than the previous one. I don't care.

A bigger boat lets me go further, not because it's bigger or faster, or even necessarily because it has greater fuel range, but because I'm not so dependent on perfect weather conditions.

We now go further, stay out longer and travel much slower than we did ten years ago. And we enjoy it all far more.

We have the glorious economy of twin diesels, and spend three times what we used to on petrol just because we use the boat more. 42 knots? No thanks, for the few times you can manage that speed, I'll keep my 30 knot tub, if it's all the same...

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DepSol · 8 Jul 2003

Re: Speed isn\'t everything

Agreed my next boat will be slower (unless I get the Marex 330) but have better sea keeping abilities. It will also have a hard top.

The list is

Aquador 28c or 32c
Jeanneau 34 Open HT
Marex 330

But that list will prob get bigger. I need to do 25knots cruising and it doesn’t matter if its single or twin but needs to keep going with out too much buffeting in a F5 without dropping to 10 knots.

<hr width=100% size=1>Dom

Now where is that Brendan hiding?

tcm · 8 Jul 2003

Re: agreed

I too have packed in the high speed whamming aboutperhaps to an even greater degree. At sea, kids often helm and I direct from slumped position on foredeck. The ideal speed for comfy just-planing 1500rpm quiet ride and no towels blowing away is 17knots, and at this velocity the thing feels like a high-speed bed, or perhaps windy sunbathing with auto-moving scenery. In calmish weather you can also turn up the music and dance on the foredeck, though any more than four gets a bit busy. The bigger the boat, the faster the dinghy, so high speed is still an option.

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Happy1 · 8 Jul 2003

Re: Size isn\'t everything

What about the 'size isn't everything' argument, where do you stop? I am sure that it is personal choice. Perhaps over 28ft you need diesel because it is safer when you are on the flybridge in your dressing gown, slippers, and puffing on your pipe /forums/images/icons/laugh.gif

<hr width=100% size=1> "You only see what you recognise, and you only recognise what you know"

Guest · 8 Jul 2003

Re: Size IS everything

Ah, but when it comes to comfortable, enjoyable boating, size is important, Pete. A beautiful, sunny day may be a complete washout for a 20 footer, because it's blowing a F4, and it's just too lumpy for the family to be comfortable, but a 30 footer displacing 4 or 5 tons might only have to drop her cruise speed from 26 down to 24 knots.

We very often head out when all the 15-20 footers are running for home. That's how we get the amount of use we do...

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hlb · 8 Jul 2003

Re: agreed

Agrea, 18 knots with occasional 20+ is fast enough for cruising in most conditions and gets you anywhere your likely to want to go in say four hours. So that gets me up to Weymouth, or the CI in a morningish whilst still putting the kettle on, making butties and going for a pee!

<hr width=100% size=1> No one can force me to come here. I'm a volunteer!!.

Haydn

Observer · 8 Jul 2003

Re: Speed isn\'t everything

Hard top huh?

What about a Nimbus 31 Ultima? I may be a seller.

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DepSol · 8 Jul 2003

Re: Speed isn\'t everything

Can you knock off the VAT?

P-Ex for a Jeanneau which was doing 36 knots down to St Martins point and back this afternoon?

<hr width=100% size=1>Dom

Now where is that Brendan hiding?

milltech · 9 Jul 2003

Re: Size IS everything

But can you go too far? I ended up with 65 tons at 6 knots. Great comfort in harbour, aga in the saloon, 4 cabins, two heads, wheelhouse for 12, radiators all through, wood panelling to die for, but it did get a trifle boring crossing the channel. I used to stick it on the scrubbing grid ahead of every French trip to get her up to 7 knots!

<hr width=100% size=1>John
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.allgadgets.co.uk>http://www.allgadgets.co.uk</A>

Happy1 · 9 Jul 2003

Re: Size IS everything

Blimey, I can imagine the cost of having that lifted out and scrubbed! Size has it's Pro's and Con's as well as you say, perhaps two engines to maintain, bigger mooring fee's, have to pay for a lift out to do certain work on it, unable to trailer it around the country or abroad, in effect you are limited even more, especially by the fuel range and time you have to go that further distance, as you still have to get back. All this to be able to go out in rougher sea! I am still undecided, but certainly has got me thinking /forums/images/icons/wink.gif

<hr width=100% size=1> "You only see what you recognise, and you only recognise what you know"

Renegade_Master · 9 Jul 2003

Re: Speed isn\'t everything

"We're on our fourth boat. Each one has been bigger and slower than the previous one. I don't care"
"
I'll keep my 30 knot tub, if it's all the same"...

Isnt yours a Targa 29 Graham , your fourth boat bigger than the rest, previous three must have been small, and as for 30knts "slower" well

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.suncoastmarine.co.uk>Sun Coast Sea School & Charter</A>

Guest · 9 Jul 2003

Re: Speed isn\'t everything

Boat 1 - Fletcher 127/60hp o/b - 12' 7" & 50 knots flat out
Boat 2 - Fletcher 170GTS/165hp i/b - 19' & 40 knots flat out
Boat 3 - Maxum 2300SC/250hp i/b - 24' & 35 knots flat out
Boat 4 - Fairline Targa 29/2x150hp i/b - 31' & 30 knots flat out

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Guest · 9 Jul 2003

Re: Size IS everything

Somehow, I doubt that a 65 tonner is going to be restricted by fuel range. A boat that size is going to carry 2-3 tons or more of fuel, I'd have thought.

Also, do not think that rough seas = bad conditions. You can have the most beautiful weather to be somewhere, but the wind is blowing a hooly and stops small boats getting out. Or, a day like the one a few weekends back where Alastair and I left Christchurch in fog so thick you couldn't see the channel bouys - we went out on radar, and within 3 miles were in glorious sunshine. Half an hour and we were sunning ourselves in dead calm off Studland.

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duncan · 9 Jul 2003

Re: Size IS everything

interestingly, and I think importantly, all this is not to go out in rough/rougher conditions it is to be able to get back in relative comfort and safety.
Even with a day trip conditions can change quite dramatically - classic was the Studland BBQ a few weeks ago which had both BrendanS and Jon Bailey returning home in somewhat less than perfect conditions. I have had the same thing when returning from Cowes to Poole - freshening wind, 90 degree shift all conspeing with the tide to make an unpleasant 25 mile return journey for passengers.

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milltech · 9 Jul 2003

Re: Size IS everything

She carried 600 gallons, (whatever they are), but actually although it's a comfort bad weather is bad weather and to be avoided if possible. 13 hours back from Alderney to Portsmouth in a quartering sea, corkscrewing in a force 6+, was just plain uncomfortable not to say unpleasant even if perfectly safe.

On another occasion trying to leave the same place in an Easterly gale every third sea came over the bow and smashed against the wheelhouse, I slowed down and slowed down until the GPS read 0 knots and still they came aboard, so we scuttled back to an almost as uncomfortable harbour.

For me the real thing is the space when we arrived. All boats spend 99% of the time going nowhere, so size brings comfort and privacy aboard. My wife won't come near a boat, if she had I think I'd have stuck with smaller boats. I'm looking for something to "single hand" right now, fed up with crew.

<hr width=100% size=1>John
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.allgadgets.co.uk>http://www.allgadgets.co.uk</A>

whisper · 10 Jul 2003

Re: Speed isn\'t everything

What ! No Botnia Targa ?

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DepSol · 10 Jul 2003

Re: Speed isn\'t everything

Nah checked them out not bad but a bit too boxy for me. Loads of em over here already and I prefer to set a trend rather than follow one around here. Got to think about moving on as there are 5 Leader 805s over here now which includes another Diesel one.

Must have exclusivity you know.

<hr width=100% size=1>Dom

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.soltron.co.uk>the website</A>

Steve_D · 10 Jul 2003

Re: Speed isn\'t everything

OOH! I take it your back in the water then! not too expensive I hope

Steve D

<hr width=100% size=1>No. I was right the first time....

DepSol · 10 Jul 2003

Re: Speed isn\'t everything

Yup back in and running really well. They seem to have cured all the little niggly bits. They even tightened the bolt up on the swim ladder. Hats off to M&G as they have done a fantastic job this again plus letting me use the lock in compound at the weekends with electricity and water made all the other jobs really easy.

Trim tabs now fitted and was pushing 36.5 knots flat out down to St martins point with qtr fuel ¾ water and all the usual junk on board.

Looks like this weekend is going to be a corker so will be out and about. Might be up in Alderney Bill but will let you know.

<hr width=100% size=1>Dom

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.soltron.co.uk>the website</A>

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