Thinking of moving from sail to power, any advice?

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I've been sailing for quite a few years now and have a 28 foot yacht, but because my sailing at the moment happens only at weekends I only manage to venture 20 miles or so from Poole.

I'm thinking that a power boat might be a better option for this sort of pottering, I'm thinking of something like a sunseeker portofino or similar about 30-35 feet, with twin turbo diesels (about 200 hp each I suppose).

Could anyone tell me what sort of fuel consumption at various revs/speeds I could expect, Is insurance much more for powerboats, what sort of accomodation could I expect and finally, would anyone recommend it?

Regards

Sean Foster
 
Re: yes

Yes do it. You're right about extended range. Cherbourg for lunch and back in the same day is easy in that kind of boat. Expect about 700-1000 pa insurance. Fuel consump should be around 1.2 nm per gall, at 25kts planing cruise speed. It's red diesel of course. Think about type of boat, eg flybridge gives more inside accommodation which can be handy in UK weather. Get the biggest you can imho
 
Re: yes

You fogot to mention the massivily deep big pockets to go with it!

Wha'dya mean "I'm always playing with this engine" its the only way to get it to run!
 
My 35 did about 1.3 mpg On a long run a few years ago. Plymouth/ Chanel Isles/ Britainy/Solent/Plymouth. At around 20-22 Knots.

Insurance £300 and odd pounds for 3 milion cover.

Much more space and better accomadation with fly bridge IMHO.

No one can force me to come here-----------
----- I'm a Volunteer!!!

Haydn
 
Don\'t! Well, unless...

...the range within a given period of time is really so important.

Obviously, express cruisers have a big advantage over sailboats in that respect.
My experience on the sea began with a 31', two VP 231 hp diesels, 42 kts max.
Then I moved to a 34', same engines, 33 kts max.
Consumption in the range of 60 litres per hour at normal cruising speeds (30~32 kts the first, 24~26 kts the second).
I have now a 10 kts trawler, and can tell you that it's by far the best solution if you really want to enjoy the sea.
I will never return to a planing boat; I'd rather consider a motorsailer instead.

To summarize:
if you enjoy the sea, don't bother about speed. The higher the speed, the less you enjoy.
If you enjoy going somewhere fast, go ahead with the boat you were thinking about. By the way, if that is really what you need, I'd stick to the open boat, assuming that cold weather is no big deal, as I would expect from somebody used to sailing.

All IMHO, obviously.
 
Re: Don\'t! Well, unless...

thanks for your opinion, I'm only thinking about it at the moment, the fuel consumptions is really quite scary!
 
Re: Don\'t! Well, unless...

The fuel costs arnt as bad as you think, cos just because you can go blaming about all day, dose not mean every one does.
Tipical week for us might be. Plymouth, across the harbour to cawsands for half an hour then round to Looe stay for a couple of hours.Amble down to Fowey for the night. Then maybe a look at Charlestown or Megavisy and round to Falmouth. Mooch around down there for a day or two. Then 40 miles across the bay, back to Plymouth. Might have used 100 quids worth of fuel. Not so bad in a week.

No one can force me to come here-----------
----- I'm a Volunteer!!!

Haydn
 
Re: Don\'t! Well, unless...

Try a targa (not fairline)
Quick, very stable and not too thirsty.
They've got a little flybridge on the back, or a enclosed wheelhouse
for when it aint so good. Apparently loads of yachtsmen change to these boats
when they retire etc. Also, 35+ knots
Website is www.wessexmarine.co.uk
 
Re: Don\'t! Well, unless...

Bluddy hell ! £100 quids worth a week. How do you get away with that? Last time i went out on the boat we used £100 a day! Wanna swop?

Wha'dya mean "I'm always playing with this engine" its the only way to get it to run!
 
Re: Don\'t! Well, unless...

£100, not bought that much fuel in total for the last 16 years. Before someone says, I have not bought a new sail either, and it's green renewable energy, should be getting a refund from the government !!!!!!!!!!!!!.


Brian
 
Re: Don\'t! Well, unless...

Dont get away with 100 quid every day. But even if going to Chanel Isles, it's say 80 quid to get there. Then just messing about for a few days, not using much fuel. Cheap B&B in the marina. And 80 quid back again. You cant aford not to have a boat at that rate!!

No one can force me to come here-----------
----- I'm a Volunteer!!!

Haydn
 
Re: Yes - DON\'T!......

What's the benefit of a motor sailor over a sailing boat?

They neither sail nor motor well, and the range is going to be little different.
 
Re: Yes - DON\'T!......

Ah the very man I need to talk to!......someone who has sailed all the motorsailers currently available and is therefore the complete expert on their pros and cons!
Please publish your research, there are many folk like me who having tested only 3 or 4 M/Ss' haven't got a clue.
TôMö
 
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