Two raggies delivering a mobo

[prv]

No, sorry, no videos of humorous catastrophe to watch

My mate Chris, same one who wanted to, but didn't, buy that converted fishing boat in Preston, looks likely to buy a 35' motorboat in Woodbridge instead. Afraid I don't know the proper terminology, I would say it looks like a big speedboat with a cabin in the pointy bit

Both of us are sailing types, though he's had a little experience with an 18' speedboat in the last year (I think he's going over to the dark side ). We're going to have to bring the thing back to Southampton. That's a lot of fuel, but still cheaper than transporting by truck, at least according to the broker's estimate of the latter.

I've planned out a route which seems plausible, avoiding TSSes, wind farms, etc - about 180 miles. The seller says the boat cruises at 25 knots (30 flat-out) so that's just over 7 hours and within the span of daylight (incredible to me that it's possible to travel so far on water in one day ). I'm perfectly happy with navigating at night, especially since it'll be into familiar waters, but I can't imagine that running at that kind of speed in darkness is considered sensible.

He will be having the engines inspected and serviced, and the hull lifted and washed off, before we go. From a preliminary look around at the weekend, the boat seems in fairly good nick. It's got VHF, AIS, etc - no liferaft, but I could borrow the one off my own boat. I'll bring a toolbox for those unexpected new-boat gremlins.

Any advice on this trip, for people who don't have much experience with motorised cruising? In particular, I assume that sea-state will be much more important than for a 5-knot sailing boat. Obviously the flatter the better, but what sort of conditions would you guys consider a sensible limit?

Cheers,

Pete

 

[DAKA]

very easily do able in a day

Depending on the boat I would have thought trailer the best bet.

exactly what is it, not many boats will actually cruise the east coast @ 25 knots, not possible many days until 10 miles past dover.

The biggest difference you will find is navigation and eating/drinking.

All has to be done before you cast off , even a sandwich on the move takes some doing , suggest a fuel stop at dover to stuff a sandwich in .
forget the stove and flask , no hot drinks in a sports boat @ 25 knots !

 

[benjenbav]

I fear I might be stating the obvious: if so, just ignore me.

Anyway, I think it's kinda important to work out what the boat is going to be like travelling at any speed which will be a product of hull shape in the main.

My present boat, for example, is built like a brick outhouse - both in terms of design and solidity - and although I don't cruise at much more than 12 knots, I don't need to slow down unless it's so scary that I, err, want to slow down.

My previous mobo was happy to cruise in the high twenties max-ing in the mid -thirties. But with a decent sea running one would have ended up peeing blood in the event of being foolish enough to continue at those sorts of speeds.

At night I find 8-10 knots comfortable and - one benefit you might not be familiar with from sailing - if you maintain a constant speed on the gps (especially one which divides without a remainder into 60) it doesn't half make the nav easier.

 

[[2068]]

I would say that 180miles in one day for the inexperienced is not a good idea.

At 20kts, that's a 9 hour passage, which is a marathon. I'd be suprised if the boat had a 180 mile range, so you'll need to think about where to refuel anyway. 2 x 4.5 hour stints with an overnight stop is going to be so much more relaxed.

How about an overnight stop at Eastbourne? - there are a few good restaurants there.

As to the weather, it will depend on wind direction and the boat, but anything more than a F4-5 in the "wrong" direction is going to mess you up. Tides need to be accounted for, not because you will get pushed the wrong way, but because falling into a huge hole at 20kts going around a headland where the wind is going one way and the water t'other can also end in tears.

Sounds like an adventure, though!

 

[neale]

Although doable in a day I would much prefer to do this trip over a weekend. Have two shorter and less tiring days on the water and a nice overnighter somewhere.

 

[kashurst]

without more info on the boat its difficult to say but....
assuming the boat and engines are in good condition and you are familiar already with the route (especially sandbanks etc ) I would probably do it over 2 days if possible as 7 hours at 25Kns in a 35ft boat will be pretty tiring. On power boats if something goes wrong it tends to happen fast so you want to be at your best.

Sea state; the flatter the better, less than F4 wind or lower as the rougher the sea the more tiring it will be.

As the boat is new to your friend before doing 180 miles I would take it out on the sea for an hour and really throw it about and work the engines hard. This will stir up the fuel tanks and make sure there are no leaks or weaknesses before the big trip. Take it back to the marina and have a look/change the primary fuel filters to see how much carp has come through. Assuming that all goes well I would definitely take the liferaft - law of sod means you won't need it then .

Take advantage of the tides where you can too - save some fuel and you willl get a smoother ride running with the water.

 

[Kawasaki]

Yep as per FlowerPower
You will have the devils own prob averaging 20 kts
Planing hulls (which it will be if it can do the 30kts indicated) only like flattish conditions to maintain 18 plus
As FP mentioned you will need to get the winds and tides in your favour, most important.
The average Mobo has a safe range of 150 miles
Refuelling at sea can be a right ball ache too.
I find two hour stints in the helm enough normally, unless it's like a millpond
The concentration required to maintain a course and speed at over 18kts if the sea conditions are 'lumpy' can be quite tiring if you are not used to it
I would plan the Gig over two days
Sounds like a real good un though!
Wanna hand?!!!

 

[Searush]

very easily do able in a day

Depending on the boat I would have thought trailer the best bet.

exactly what is it, not many boats will actually cruise the east coast @ 25 knots, not possible many days until 10 miles past dover.

The biggest difference you will find is navigation and eating/drinking.

All has to be done before you cast off , even a sandwich on the move takes some doing , suggest a fuel stop at dover to stuff a sandwich in .
forget the stove and flask , no hot drinks in a sports boat @ 25 knots !

Is it not possible to stop or just slow down a bit for food & drink preparation, or do the throttles ratchet on when moving? Raggies just heave to in rough conditions if a loo or coffee break is needed or for a meal.

I suppose one way throttles would at least explain all the D***heads that zoom past raggies in calm water & cause so much pain & trouble to the occupants with unnecessary wash.

 

[PaulGooch]

I certainly wouldn't attempt it in one day, even on my own boat. Doing it in a day makes it a nasty chore, IMO, splitting it over two days makes a nice weekend break. Depending on the boat and weather, i think it makes more sense to passage plan at 15 knots, especially this time of year and i'd definitely want the tides working with me, as much as possible.

As for sarnies and a cuppa, we can comfortable eat and drink on ours at cruising speed (17ish knots), in sensible weather, but have to drop off the plane to do the actual brewing.

 

[DAKA]

Is it not possible to stop or just slow down a bit for food & drink preparation,

seriously no.

Im going to sit back and enjoy this now, classic river solent responses will be plentiful, if its not too busy with wash you can stop for a brew

Ive said my bit.

F4-5 on the east coast in a 25 knot sports boat, yeah great fun for 1/4 mile get wet and head back in @ 8knts

 

[prv]

Thanks for the swift replies!

A halfway stop is certainly an option. 9 hours is not a big deal to me in my boat (it takes 14 to get to Cherbourg ) but obviously things are different in a bouncy mobo. I was assuming we'd be taking turns driving, and realised I wouldn't be cooking my normal bangers and mash under way . If we do decide to aim for a one-day passage, I would still be planning possible stops in case it turned out to be harder than it looks

I haven't looked at fuel consumption and tankage, but Chris has and seemed to think he had the range. Obviously we'd be keeping a close eye on it and could pull in for a pitstop if it seemed lower than planned for that point.

Mentions of F4 winds are encouraging - I was expecting to have to cancel for winds much less than that. I guess the bigger boat can cope with slightly bigger lumps than his 18-foot ski-boat. Flatter the better still, of course. Tides will mostly be determined by getting out of the river, which dries. Though I suppose we could always get down to the lower reaches the previous evening, after preparing everything, and anchor or moor overnight.

Good idea on the trial run - I advised him to get the engine man to come out on a sea-trial before buying it anyway, so I guess that counts.

Cheers,

Pete

 

[dj43]

If you are leaving Woodbridge tide mill yacht harbour,you will not be able to get across cill untill close to high tide, drys out other side ,the Deben is an hours trip out to sea,very nice river be a shame to do in dark , To get the tides with you I would stop over at Dover or stop at Shotly after sea trials Shotly to Brighton would be ok. Would not recommend crossing the Thames Estuary if north easterly wind above a 4 .

 

[DAKA]

As for sarnies and a cuppa, we can comfortable eat and drink on ours at cruising speed (17ish knots), in sensible weather, but have to drop off the plane to do the actual brewing.

Paul at first glance my post appears to disagree with yours however I would like to point out that Paul can choose his weather and stop at leisure for a cuppa.

When passage planing I tend to find there are extra pressures like..........

one way hire cars already paid for
baby sitters/dog sitters
time off work

have to leave the day before and plan two days prior so weather may or may not be perfect.....chances are not perfect !

pressure to get round a headland before the afternoon sea breeze kicks in (Dover headland amplification shouldnt be under estimated) mean the chance to stop/slow down for a cup of tea arnt really going to be high on the list of priorities IMHO

 

[neale]

Mentions of F4 winds are encouraging - I was expecting to have to cancel for winds much less than that.

With a fast MoBo the direction of the wind will make a massive difference. F4 head wind may be uncomfortable and possibly wet. F4 following will be fun and comfortable and only wet if you mess around or get it a bit wrong.

Trouble is that we have prevailing South westerlies which almost inevitably means a head wind. If you want favourable tides you are wind against tide. In these conditions a F4 may not be doable it really depends on the boat and the crews stamina.

 

[SpottyDog5]

If you are leaving Woodbridge tide mill yacht harbour,you will not be able to get across cill untill close to high tide, drys out other side ,the Deben is an hours trip out to sea,very nice river be a shame to do in dark , To get the tides with you I would stop over at Dover or stop at Shotly after sea trials Shotly to Brighton would be ok. Would not recommend crossing the Thames Estuary if north easterly wind above a 4 .

Speaking from experience here sir ?

 

[aslabend]

PRV,
I suggest looking up tricks of the trade for navigation at higher speeds than you're used to. I'm sure you know the Solent as well as the next guy at 6 knots but at 20 knots and possibly at night....

 

[prv]

Trouble is that we have prevailing South westerlies which almost inevitably means a head wind. If you want favourable tides you are wind against tide. In these conditions a F4 may not be doable

So would it then make sense to time things to be going against the tide? Anathema to a raggie, but if it keeps the sea calmer and lets you open the throttle more, perhaps you'd travel faster overall?

I suggest looking up tricks of the trade for navigation at higher speeds than you're used to. I'm sure you know the Solent as well as the next guy at 6 knots but at 20 knots and possibly at night....

Despite my comments in the original post, I don't plan to be travelling in darkness on this trip. But any high-speed nav tips are welcome - I realise it's an entirely different ball game. I prefer paper and pencil on my own boat, but expect to do this trip mostly electronically with a combination of the plotter on the boat and an iPad in a waterproof case.

I was also going to write out a list of courses and distances between waypoints so that when the little boat starts to get close to the little flag I can say "ok, we're going to be turning onto 130 now, for five miles" without having to fart about getting the next course out of an unfamiliar plotter.

Pete

 

[davidwf]

Not this one is it? http://www.yachtworld.com/core/list...rdfordmarinesales&&ywo=howardfordmarinesales&

 

[LittleShip]

No, sorry, no videos of humorous catastrophe to watch

likely to buy a 35' motorboat

I've planned out a route which seems plausible, about 180 miles. The seller says the boat cruises at 25 knots

Pete

Flat calm fine............ anything over F3 and you'll wish you were already there.

DAKA has the best advice

F4-5 on the east coast in a 25 knot sports boat, yeah great fun for 1/4 mile get wet and head back in @ 8knts

I came back from the IoM in a 36 Prestige a couple of years ago in a F4 pos blowing F5 I think it would have been just as comfortable in Little Ship at 7Knts instead of the 9Knts we were doing. The slamming in adverse conditions quickly tires one out.

Try breaking the journey in to manageable hops, 3 hrs max and and enjoy being out there.

Tom

 

[Scarron]

I was also going to write out a list of courses and distances between waypoints so that when the little boat starts to get close to the little flag I can say "ok, we're going to be turning onto 130 now, for five miles" without having to fart about getting the next course out of an unfamiliar plotter.

Pete

Yep that sounds good, remember in a mobo you are primarily talking about Pilotage rather than Navigation!

Chart plotter zoomed out a bit and a series of waypoints and courses with distances and speeds v times will be perfect. Try to keep it all very simple coz you need to spend your time; - looking where you are going, actually driving the thing if the sea state requires it and constantly monitoring the enginge gauges and listning for funny noises.

Its also good practice to lift the enginge hatches regularly and have a good look/sniff if it's an unfamiliar boat.