Sunseeker 28 good for longer trips over sea?

[yabba]

I wonder if anyone ever owned a Sunseeker 28 Portofino? I would like some feedback on how it handles offshore, as i am thinking about getting her out on the Northsea to make a trip along the Belgian and then French coast, she's in Tholen, Holland right now. (She has twin mercruiser V8's installed). What's the chance of finding places to fill her up with gasoline/petrol at harbours along the way, or will it be running over to a petrolstation with jerrycans all the time ?

 

[neale]

I wonder if anyone ever owned a Sunseeker 28 Portofino? I would like some feedback on how it handles offshore, as i am thinking about getting her out on the Northsea to make a trip along the Belgian and then French coast, she's in Tholen, Holland right now. (She has twin mercruiser V8's installed). What's the chance of finding places to fill her up with gasoline/petrol at harbours along the way, or will it be running over to a petrolstation with jerrycans all the time ?

She'll be fine at sea and handle as well or better than any other 28 foot sports boat. You will find though that twin V8's are going to be thirsty at speed. If they are old Carb versions rather than fuel injected, I would estimate you'll be using 15gph at around 25 knots.

There are plenty of places to fill up with petrol along the Dutch, Belgium and French coasts. Nieuwpoort, Blankenberge, Breskens, Dunkerque, Calais, Dieppe all have petrol, plus there might be others I have forgotten.

 

[[2068]]

We have done something similar in a Sealine S28, so the Sunseeker should be fine given the right weather. You really don't want anything more than Northerly F4 for the first part.

Some advance planning might be needed with the fuel stops, but you shouldn't end up doing jerry cans. The assumption is that the engines are in regular use and in good condition.

 

[Nautorius]

I wonder if anyone ever owned a Sunseeker 28 Portofino? I would like some feedback on how it handles offshore, as i am thinking about getting her out on the Northsea to make a trip along the Belgian and then French coast, she's in Tholen, Holland right now. (She has twin mercruiser V8's installed). What's the chance of finding places to fill her up with gasoline/petrol at harbours along the way, or will it be running over to a petrolstation with jerrycans all the time ?

The Sunseeker 28 portofino was the original Offshore series Sunseeker. Originally named the 28 offshore it was one of the first Don Shead designed craft, who developed the race-derived deep-V hulls that have become a Sunseeker trademark.

The early Offshore 28 was a revolutionary craft, the first in Europe with a lightweight hull specifically designed to carry stern-drive diesel engines powering twin outdrives.

So yes, it is a real and capable offshore craft that puts many modern 28ft craft to shame for sea keeping. The Petrols are thirsty...but fun and with the racing hull she will perform well> so go for it if you can aford the huge amounts of petrol!

Paul

 

[oldgit]

Just how big is your petrol tank ?? and remember that your pick up pipes will not be going right to the bottom,so forget last 10 gallons or so.
Plan to have around 25% of your get-at-able fuel left on arrival at your destination,to take care of head sea delays,bad weather diversions and the like.
Suspect this may curtail many long distance legs.

 

[yabba]

I'm not really planning on doing long trips at a time and will not be looking for speed records, just some fun on the water, and say 50 miles at a time , giving us plenty of time to pay a visit to the harbours and their towns. SWMBO will be with me so i will not be going into gas-guzzling lightning speeds for long durations either. I have a 360 liters tank on board , and an extra 60 litres tucked away for emergencies.
Engines are being looked after professionally as we speak, i wouldn't want to be left without them in the middle of the sea .
I just never been down the coastline into France before, and like to be prepared or at least know what to expect. So any extra tips are always welcome.