On 2008-01-02 10:24:05 -0500, druid said:

On Jan 2, 12:27 am, Jere Lull wrote:

At 5 knots (not 5.5), you're probably in a good ballpark. Average speed
makes a real difference.

aYup!
Knotmeter says 5.5, pretty much 6 WOT, but 5 is more realistic for
navigation purposes. Once I win the lottery (or at least a
scratch-n-win...) and put in the 2GM20F, I'll use 5.5 (maybe even 6).
And you're right: that 1/2 knot makes a HUGE difference!

Don't bother re-powering. First put a better prop on, then perhaps rebuild.

We repowered Xan when we first got her, but won't do that again. Love
the motor and it turned out to be right for us, but we could have
gotten more boat (with a working engine) for the initial payout.

BTW, we can hit 7+ WOT, but cruise about 5.5 at about 1/3 gph. Of late,
we're likely to poke along at 5 & 1 lph.

About the only time I *effectively* used WOT, we were motor-sailing to
beat some squalls. Averaged over 8 for that hour and just made it to
the dock as they hit. Felt good, but one time in 15 seasons isn't
sufficient reason for the expense. Every other time, we merely got
closer before getting smacked.

--
Jere Lull
Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD
Xan's pages: http://web.mac.com/jerelull/iWeb/Xan/
Our BVI trips & tips: http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/

On Jan 2, 10:13 pm, Jere Lull wrote:
On 2008-01-02 10:24:05 -0500, druid said:

On Jan 2, 12:27 am, Jere Lull wrote:

At 5 knots (not 5.5), you're probably in a good ballpark. Average speed
makes a real difference.

aYup!
Knotmeter says 5.5, pretty much 6 WOT, but 5 is more realistic for
navigation purposes. Once I win the lottery (or at least a
scratch-n-win...) and put in the 2GM20F, I'll use 5.5 (maybe even 6).
And you're right: that 1/2 knot makes a HUGE difference!

Don't bother re-powering. First put a better prop on, then perhaps rebuild.

We repowered Xan when we first got her, but won't do that again.

Well, there's a lot of reasons for my choice to repower apart from
power itself. First, the existing engine has no alternator - the
generator (which may or may not work at all) puts out maybe 7 Amps at
cruise. Second, it's an old engine and parts are expensive and hard to
come by. Third, it's RWC.

As for power: I repowered Far Cove and was surprised how much BETTER
the new engine was: started easier, smoother, quieter...things I
hadn't even noticed were wrong until I put in the new engine. And it
was such a joy to cruise at 1/2 throttle rather than 90% throttle, and
to have that extra knot or so for pushing through passages against a
tide. (and a 105A alternator to offset the fridge!)

It's true I could rebuild the Volvo (I've already rebuilt the top end
with little difference in power or smoke), add an alternator, FWC...
but I can pick up a rebuilt 2GM20F for under $4K and install it myself
for about the cost of all those add-ons.

druid