I know this is not gonna be too accurate, but I’d like to hear some guesses from fellow owners with similar type boat/engine combos.
The boat’s a Wellcraft 232 Cuddy pushed by an EFI Yammy 225 4-stroke. Capacity is 115 gallons.
I’ve not had any opportunity to make any decent estimates and I’ve got someone wanting me to follow them out this weekend if the weather is decent. In all honesty, I probably won’t make the trip due to schedules, etc., but it might happen. He’s wanting to head about 40 miles outta Little River.
you have plenty of range…I have 120 gallons and twin 175’s on a 26 Footer and been 210 miles “round trip” and had with fuel to spare. First time fill it up and check your mileage
Yes, you’ll likely be fine, but if you don’t have the experience to answer this question yourself, then you probably should start closer to shore and carry an experienced offshore captain with you. Better safe than sorry. Be smart and good luck with whatever you decide to do.
I was just curious. I’m NOT going offshore without a few people who know what they’re doing. I’ve had MANY people want to go out, but none have ever been. They all get pissed when I say that I want a couple trips under my belt before they get a ride. They just don’t understand what could go wrong…
I’ll be the first to admit that I have very little “blue water” experience (as if most of y’all can’t tell). I’m not shy to ask a question, and I value most responses.
Notice above that I plan on a buddy boat; this time it would be a 27’ World Cat so it would make a good boat to have around.
I’m not one to do something too stupid when it involves life and a small sum of money. I’ll try to always play it smart on the water…
Silver, we went from West Palm Beach to Freeport in a hasty 3/4 with the trim tabs barried, 150 gallons of fuel and fully loaded with extra coolers, food and provisions for a 2 weeks on 45 gallons. Put in at Wache Wacha and take the ICW to Charleston that will give you an estimate. You will burn more fuel in salt water than fresh but you can get a estimate. You can leave truck/trailer at my house and not have to worry about the vandals. If you want to make the run in the ocean put in at MI ramps and make the same run. If your boat is like mine the fuel guage lies so I installed fuel flow gauges. If you have the yama version learn to use it.
I was just curious. I’m NOT going offshore without a few people who know what they’re doing. I’ve had MANY people want to go out, but none have ever been. They all get pissed when I say that I want a couple trips under my belt before they get a ride. They just don’t understand what could go wrong…
I’ll be the first to admit that I have very little “blue water” experience (as if most of y’all can’t tell). I’m not shy to ask a question, and I value most responses.
Notice above that I plan on a buddy boat; this time it would be a 27’ World Cat so it would make a good boat to have around.
I’m not one to do something too stupid when it involves life and a small sum of money. I’ll try to always play it smart on the water…
'05 Wellcraft 232 Coastal
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That's the most intelligent response to the ole "if you have to ask" statement ever. Congrats and I think you're on the right track. Good luck and I hope all goes well.
EPIRB is the next investment you need to make if you are planning on going offshore ever.
[img]http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d119/23sailfish/monkey_23580smaller.gif[/img]
Next, since you asked, I’ll give you my 4 cents (most people give 2 cents, but I am usually at least twice as long-winded as most ).
IMO, the only real way to know for sure is to take your boat out on a short trip in the ocean on an average day, troll for an hour or two, come back, and use your GPS and your fuel meter to determine your actual average MPG on the ocean. I say this because there are differences between an optimum performance test and a real trip on the ocean. Take an average over two or three short trips, then then do the math on your projected longer-range trip(s). Add fudge factor for worse sea conditions and unexpected changes of course or fuel economy. The ocean can make the performance chart out to look like a lie if you don’t think about how the load on the engine changes with the ocean. I re-evaluate my fuel economy on every single trip and can usually accurately estimate within about 5 gallons on my boat.
However, if you want to do a preliminary estimate based on the performance report data, you can do that too; just keep in mind that the a trip to bluewater and back (at least for me, anyway) often runs 200-225 miles or more and can easily rack up more miles than you plan, due to unexpected course deviation, changes of plan if the fish ain’t so hot where you first go, and especially if you unexpectedly have to dodge a storm or alter course for the sea. Also, keep in mind that those performance tests and range calcs are in relatively flat water, not an unpredictable ocean, and not in a steep head sea with 15-MPH headwind. They are in 5-10 MPH wind, often (if not always) inshore, with a relatively light boat–not a boat full of dudes, ice, and fish out on the open ocean. In the ocean, with the tabs down, and/or with more weight in the boat, you will burn more gas–potentially a lot more if sea conditions are bad enough.
Based on the foregoing knowledge, calculate something closer to the WORST-case scenario–NOT the b
Lee…wow! That’s definitely worth at least $0.04! Thanks!
I see where you are coming from, and sadly enough, the “short” trips are gonna be hard to do. I’m in Camden, so any trip down to the beach will consist of at least $80 in fuel for the truck. Toss in the ice/bait/beer, and that’s another $80. So…I’m in $160 to a trip.
Granted, I KNOW that life/safety is worth a helluva lot more than gas & beer (well, maybe not the beer, LOL), but heading down for a “little trip” is not very cost effective.
I guess what I’ll do is when I’m out on the lake the next few times, I’ll log how I drive and how long I’m out and fill up each time when I pull into the slip. I know it’s nothing like the ocean, but at least I’ll get some sort of idea of fuel burn.
A flow-meter isn’t a bad idea. Thinking to self, “Great, something ELSE to spend money on!”
I do appreciate your help, and is well worth thinking about.
I will say this – my first time out probably won’t be to the ledge. I’m guessing 30 miles for some bottom time would be best so I can get an ample idea of what the boat drinks.
Easy way to stay safe is install an accurate fuel flow sensor, and never use more than 1/3 tank of gas on the way out. With that equation, you should still have plenty fuel to troll around all day and still back to shore with at least 1/5 tank left.
If you can get a system that ties in with the gps, you can get a really accurate mpg also. This will help maximize fuel economy in real time.
I have lowrance on my KW and Raymarine & SmartGuages on my Fountain. Both are pretty darn accurate.
New Boat
“FLIGHT RISK”
Lightning fast 31 Fountain
Thirsty twin 275 Verados
Yeah, IMO it’s worth it, USMC. It’s the only way to tweak economy on the fly, per conditions, to keep your cruise optimal, and the “gallons burned” is really nice to be able to look at throughout the day, especially if you’re pushing your limits.
Gotcha Covered,
Lee Strickland
Strickland Marine Insurance, Inc.
843-795-1000 / 800-446-1862
).