On Thu, 7 Jun 2007 06:53:25 -0400, "Roger Long"
wrote:
The thread about jerry cans got me thinking. I'm contemplating a delivery
style voyage from Portland to Halifax, NS so I can participate in a series
of meetings without the expense of staying in a hotel. Light winds could
result in a lot of motoring so I decided to work up this graph based on
observed speeds last season and the engine data:
http://home.maine.rr.com/rlma/Fuel.gif
This should be typical of many cruising sailboats around 32 feet, 20 HP, 20
gallons of fuel but I wouldn't want to draw less than 17 for fear of sucking
air and to have some reserve.
The graph shows the economic benifit of slowing down but also the exposure
to weather changes. It's about 230 miles from Portland to the first place
in NS that I could refuel. In the absence of wind, I would have to run at
1900 and it would take me 1 3/4 days.
My boat is smoother and pleasanter above 2000 RPM than below due to
structure that resonates at lower speeds so I would probably carry a jerry
can or two lashed to the lifelines for this trip unless I had forcasts of
fair winds.
I can go a long ways at 4 knots if I have the patience
Wind and waves will change these numbers a lot but, in that case, I would be
sailing.
I've been following this thread with some interest. The reaction of
people who "cruise" for a week and the people I meet in the marina
here who have "cruised" half way round the world is noticeably
different. Nearly all the boats here have at least six jerry cans of
fuel lashed to the lifelines along with two or three boat hooks, tanks
of outboard fuel, spare anchors, and so on. Nearly all the boats have
built in fuel tanks of fifty gallons or more and still carry 100-200
liters of deck fuel.
A mate of mine set out for the Philippines from Singapore.. Waited
around for the right season and off he went. 100 miles a day for the
first three days and then he sat up in the S.china seas bobbing around
in a dead calm. After a day he started motoring and got into Kota
Kinabalu on fumes. Refueled and also bought a bunch of jerry cans.
Ended up motoring all but one day the rest of the way to Cebu.
Fuel is good. More fuel is better.
Bruce in Bangkok
(brucepaigeatgmaildotcom)
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