For those interested, Jenn and I have a blog of our ongoing adventures, which is now a sort of travelogue of our cruising down the AICW of the US. www.sunstargazette.blogspot.com
Some questions have come up since starting this cruise (we are only 1/4 way into our trip down).
Anyone else have a Bukh DV20 installed? What is the normal fuel tankage? I am carrying 10 gals on the deck I have a stainless 7.5 gal tank in the cockpit well. What kind of fuel economy should I expect under power alone?
What is the "normal" cruising speed to be expected of the Quest 31? I had anticipated 6kts+ but it's been more like 4.5-5.5 kts. I know we are very heavy.....dropped the waterline at least 2 inches. We removed items we had already decided to take on this cruise to save weight, but I suspect that the inflatable kayak and folding bikes and portable AC have added some unneeded extra. And only recently have we started to use the water tanks. I have also brought along way too many tools, but the refit and repair is an ongoing thing, so I need even more than I brought!
Lastly, what sort of electronics do you have installed to allow you to enjoy your kind of cruising?
Terry
Finally a trial cruise!
Moderators: klaus53123, classicone, Brad, moderators
-
classicone
- Moderator
- Posts: 85
- Joined: Fri Sep 19, 2008 3:09 am
- Location: Hertford, North Carolina, USA
-
ChrisH
Re: Finally a trial cruise!
Hi Terry,
Glad to see you are underway if a bit cold.
We don't have your engine but we have a Beta (Kabuta) 3 cyl 20hp engine. We can do 6+ knots under engine with full water tanks and the usual load of kit, plus liferaft, folding rib and 3.5hp 2st outboard, but only if we have a clean bottom and we are prepared to use fuel. I usually go into fuel economy mode, throttle back to about 65-70% full revs and do about 5-5.5knots. A clean hull is essential, obviously. Sorry if that sound like teaching granny to suck eggs! Obviously if you are 2in deeper than normal in the wet stuff then you are well loaded and will slow down, but from what I read most long haul cruising cats are the same. Speed isn't everything, but it's nice! You will lighten up in the light of experience and knowledge of requirements so don't get too down.
At our cruising revs in economy mode I get about 1.4 to 1.8 litres an hour consumption. Our fuel tank is under the cockpit and so is not a regular rectangle in shape - I think it holds about 50 litres. We also have 3 10 litre plastic storage tanks stowed elsewhere. And thats it. Would like more but life is a compromise.
Electronics. Instruments: we have a combined speed and depth instrument and a wind instrument by Navman, an auto pilot also by Navman which drives a hydraulic pump in the steering system. This can work to a compass setting, a GPS instruction and to the wind instrument. It's very good but I need to fine tune the set up, I also worry about the amps consumption. We have a Garmin GPS chart plotter, a small one (180C I think it is), and a Furuno 1715 B&W radar. Then there is a Navman VHF radio with DSC, the DSC is a pain as it goes off all the time and you can't switch it off so you have to accept the alarm each time. All these instruments are mounted around the helm position. Down below at the chart table I also have a NASA Clipper Navtex, and a Yeoman chart plotter interfaced with the GPS - another item I would not be without. Plus of course a radio/CD player (car type)
Other Stuff. We have a Sterling intelligent alternator regulator, one of the cheapest on the market but extremely good, down by the batteries, wouldn't be without it. Also assisting in the amps production is a Ampair 100 wind generator. The battery bank is 3x110Ah for domestics, and is needed as in addition to the above and other usual consumers we also have a fridge, a warm air heater and a water heater, both the latter are diesel powered but need about 20amps to fire up and 4 amps thereafter to run, plus an anchor windlass, but we don't use that without the engine running.
Have a good trip. I can't do the cold anymore so rather you than me, but if it were summer time then............... I will follow you on your blogspot.
Chris
Glad to see you are underway if a bit cold.
We don't have your engine but we have a Beta (Kabuta) 3 cyl 20hp engine. We can do 6+ knots under engine with full water tanks and the usual load of kit, plus liferaft, folding rib and 3.5hp 2st outboard, but only if we have a clean bottom and we are prepared to use fuel. I usually go into fuel economy mode, throttle back to about 65-70% full revs and do about 5-5.5knots. A clean hull is essential, obviously. Sorry if that sound like teaching granny to suck eggs! Obviously if you are 2in deeper than normal in the wet stuff then you are well loaded and will slow down, but from what I read most long haul cruising cats are the same. Speed isn't everything, but it's nice! You will lighten up in the light of experience and knowledge of requirements so don't get too down.
At our cruising revs in economy mode I get about 1.4 to 1.8 litres an hour consumption. Our fuel tank is under the cockpit and so is not a regular rectangle in shape - I think it holds about 50 litres. We also have 3 10 litre plastic storage tanks stowed elsewhere. And thats it. Would like more but life is a compromise.
Electronics. Instruments: we have a combined speed and depth instrument and a wind instrument by Navman, an auto pilot also by Navman which drives a hydraulic pump in the steering system. This can work to a compass setting, a GPS instruction and to the wind instrument. It's very good but I need to fine tune the set up, I also worry about the amps consumption. We have a Garmin GPS chart plotter, a small one (180C I think it is), and a Furuno 1715 B&W radar. Then there is a Navman VHF radio with DSC, the DSC is a pain as it goes off all the time and you can't switch it off so you have to accept the alarm each time. All these instruments are mounted around the helm position. Down below at the chart table I also have a NASA Clipper Navtex, and a Yeoman chart plotter interfaced with the GPS - another item I would not be without. Plus of course a radio/CD player (car type)
Other Stuff. We have a Sterling intelligent alternator regulator, one of the cheapest on the market but extremely good, down by the batteries, wouldn't be without it. Also assisting in the amps production is a Ampair 100 wind generator. The battery bank is 3x110Ah for domestics, and is needed as in addition to the above and other usual consumers we also have a fridge, a warm air heater and a water heater, both the latter are diesel powered but need about 20amps to fire up and 4 amps thereafter to run, plus an anchor windlass, but we don't use that without the engine running.
Have a good trip. I can't do the cold anymore so rather you than me, but if it were summer time then............... I will follow you on your blogspot.
Chris
Re: Finally a trial cruise!
on your way!! 
very good Jennie and Terry...we are also meandering south but are here in charleston, sc until the end of december installing new chainplates and visiting relatives...give us a shout if you will be in the area...we are at st johns marina on the stono river just off the icw after the wappoo cut...we have a car if you need anything. if you wish to stop at a marina this one is about the cheapest in the charleston area...$1.75/ft and a 25% boat us discount...plenty of room to anchor just outside the marina but no access to anything close...the marina doesn't cater to anchoring boats but you could probably bring your dink next to our boat for access...
fair winds,
George & Doris
very good Jennie and Terry...we are also meandering south but are here in charleston, sc until the end of december installing new chainplates and visiting relatives...give us a shout if you will be in the area...we are at st johns marina on the stono river just off the icw after the wappoo cut...we have a car if you need anything. if you wish to stop at a marina this one is about the cheapest in the charleston area...$1.75/ft and a 25% boat us discount...plenty of room to anchor just outside the marina but no access to anything close...the marina doesn't cater to anchoring boats but you could probably bring your dink next to our boat for access...fair winds,
George & Doris
1984 Prout Snowgoose 37 "Grace"
Stuart, Florida USA
Stuart, Florida USA
-
classicone
- Moderator
- Posts: 85
- Joined: Fri Sep 19, 2008 3:09 am
- Location: Hertford, North Carolina, USA
Re: Finally a trial cruise!
Well, we have been able to test our Prout's keels carrying ability. Yes, we went aground at mid ebb tide and was pretty near high and dry by low, until the next flood. With help from a bow wave from a passing casino boat, we floated off unscathed (other than my pride!). We could hear the locals on shore laughing at us.
But, I took the time to lower the dink, do some soundings to locate the highly shoaled entrance to our desired anchorage and to clean the bottom of a couple of months growth.
More questions.... what ground tackle do most Prout owners use? Size and length please. I'm auditing my ground tackle for any weaknesses. So far, our Bruce anchor has performed very well, as has our Delta storm anchor. But I wonder about chain and chain length.
Chris, I guess I'm not too far off on the speed side. We did hit 8 knots a couple of days ago with the outgoing current. It was a big WOOHOO time. We knew it was mostly current as I had reduced the engine rpms almost to an idle so we could have time to navigate among the shipping lane. A new area for us to be sure.
As I was cleaning the underside, I noticed some small blisters. UGH! Only on the sunny side while berthed and mostly at or near the water line. Guess I'll have some repair at next haulout. This hull was epoxy coated back in 1995. I guess 15 years isn't so bad. We'll see when I haul her. Anyone using the 10 year coppercoat? I have used Interlux products almost exclusively in the past some I'm probably partial to their setup.
But, I took the time to lower the dink, do some soundings to locate the highly shoaled entrance to our desired anchorage and to clean the bottom of a couple of months growth.
More questions.... what ground tackle do most Prout owners use? Size and length please. I'm auditing my ground tackle for any weaknesses. So far, our Bruce anchor has performed very well, as has our Delta storm anchor. But I wonder about chain and chain length.
Chris, I guess I'm not too far off on the speed side. We did hit 8 knots a couple of days ago with the outgoing current. It was a big WOOHOO time. We knew it was mostly current as I had reduced the engine rpms almost to an idle so we could have time to navigate among the shipping lane. A new area for us to be sure.
As I was cleaning the underside, I noticed some small blisters. UGH! Only on the sunny side while berthed and mostly at or near the water line. Guess I'll have some repair at next haulout. This hull was epoxy coated back in 1995. I guess 15 years isn't so bad. We'll see when I haul her. Anyone using the 10 year coppercoat? I have used Interlux products almost exclusively in the past some I'm probably partial to their setup.
-
classicone
- Moderator
- Posts: 85
- Joined: Fri Sep 19, 2008 3:09 am
- Location: Hertford, North Carolina, USA
Re: Finally a trial cruise!
Oh boy did we get spanked today.
Predictions of 15-20 kts turned into a reality of 30 kts with gusts to 45! Short steep waves that literally stopped forward motion.
We had hoped to use the outgoing tide to make short order of our destination approx 20 miles away. Heading south on the favorable current, but with the headwind caused for quite the chop!
A number of times we buried the bows into the next oncoming wave. You could see it coming and I would try to turn to take a glancing blow instead, but I was not always successful. In all it was a learning experience. The first time we experienced this extreme of conditions in SunStar 2. She came through beautifully and took care of us.
We have decided to find an alternative to the davits I had reinstalled prior to leaving. Just too much on the aft end. The dinghy was almost tore off today. One of the straps crossed into a harness to support the dinghy loosened and the dinghy dropped into the water skewed. Low Spark took on water and tried to part from the mother ship. We had to slow down and wrestle some supporting lines to temporarily hold her back up as far as possible.
Lesson learned.
Now to decide on what to do with the dinghy.
We finally arrived at our chosen marina and I'm writing this as it is still blowing 30 kts in the channel!!! We are protected and tied to a dock but the wind is howling through the rigging and the nerves are still frayed. Good night for a drink I think.
Predictions of 15-20 kts turned into a reality of 30 kts with gusts to 45! Short steep waves that literally stopped forward motion.
We had hoped to use the outgoing tide to make short order of our destination approx 20 miles away. Heading south on the favorable current, but with the headwind caused for quite the chop!
A number of times we buried the bows into the next oncoming wave. You could see it coming and I would try to turn to take a glancing blow instead, but I was not always successful. In all it was a learning experience. The first time we experienced this extreme of conditions in SunStar 2. She came through beautifully and took care of us.
We have decided to find an alternative to the davits I had reinstalled prior to leaving. Just too much on the aft end. The dinghy was almost tore off today. One of the straps crossed into a harness to support the dinghy loosened and the dinghy dropped into the water skewed. Low Spark took on water and tried to part from the mother ship. We had to slow down and wrestle some supporting lines to temporarily hold her back up as far as possible.
Lesson learned.
Now to decide on what to do with the dinghy.
We finally arrived at our chosen marina and I'm writing this as it is still blowing 30 kts in the channel!!! We are protected and tied to a dock but the wind is howling through the rigging and the nerves are still frayed. Good night for a drink I think.
-
ChrisH
Re: Finally a trial cruise!
Most nights are a good night for a drink I think!
Know what you mean, we get a lot of short steep seas in the Solent (between the South of England coast and the Isle of Wight) where we are berthed and it does stop the boat dead; however, if you have a decent favourable wind, or the donker on, she accelerates again quickly I find. The real pain is when you are trying to sail in a light wind, the sea is calm, you are enjoying yourself, have got her to sail nicely with the sails pulling well, and then a stink boat comes tearing along. There is only you and he and the whole ocean to play in but no, he just HAS to pass you 50 foot off your bows. The boat stops in his bow wave and wake, the wind gets shaken out of the sails, he goes off oblivious (or maybe not!) and you are left with having to try and get the boat going again. And they wonder why we hate them so! So inconsiderate.
Your davits. Bit concerned about your comments. How low was the dingy off the aft end? Could the davits be hauled up higher? Did the dingy end up when hauled in at above or below deck level? Bit worried as the Plastimo ones we are going to fit are fixed for height so the dingy can only be hauled up so far, but I think we can get the dingy to deck level or just above. Will have to watch that.
If it's any consolation, we have about 6 inches of snow plus the freezing temps here right now. Boating cancelled due to acute lack of interest!
Know what you mean, we get a lot of short steep seas in the Solent (between the South of England coast and the Isle of Wight) where we are berthed and it does stop the boat dead; however, if you have a decent favourable wind, or the donker on, she accelerates again quickly I find. The real pain is when you are trying to sail in a light wind, the sea is calm, you are enjoying yourself, have got her to sail nicely with the sails pulling well, and then a stink boat comes tearing along. There is only you and he and the whole ocean to play in but no, he just HAS to pass you 50 foot off your bows. The boat stops in his bow wave and wake, the wind gets shaken out of the sails, he goes off oblivious (or maybe not!) and you are left with having to try and get the boat going again. And they wonder why we hate them so! So inconsiderate.
Your davits. Bit concerned about your comments. How low was the dingy off the aft end? Could the davits be hauled up higher? Did the dingy end up when hauled in at above or below deck level? Bit worried as the Plastimo ones we are going to fit are fixed for height so the dingy can only be hauled up so far, but I think we can get the dingy to deck level or just above. Will have to watch that.
If it's any consolation, we have about 6 inches of snow plus the freezing temps here right now. Boating cancelled due to acute lack of interest!
-
classicone
- Moderator
- Posts: 85
- Joined: Fri Sep 19, 2008 3:09 am
- Location: Hertford, North Carolina, USA
Re: Finally a trial cruise!
Davit location. Our dinghy (hard shell one) sits just above the rear deck level. She is out quite a bit, but not too past the end of the rudders. I was very amazed at the attitude of the boat with respect to the chop. The dink bottom was fully slapping the the waves. I didn't suppose the hobbyhorsing could be that bad.
We are still not sure about our choices of dinks. We have an inflatable that is new on the bow, still in it's protective cover uninflated with the floor boards in the boat, and our hard shell still hanging from the davits. We have debated selling one or the other or both and start new. Inflatables are just so darn handy and the carrying capacity is great. But our hardshell is a sailing model that is great fun with zero carrying capacity though... and an extra 130 lbs hanging of the aft end.
We need a Tinker.
We are still not sure about our choices of dinks. We have an inflatable that is new on the bow, still in it's protective cover uninflated with the floor boards in the boat, and our hard shell still hanging from the davits. We have debated selling one or the other or both and start new. Inflatables are just so darn handy and the carrying capacity is great. But our hardshell is a sailing model that is great fun with zero carrying capacity though... and an extra 130 lbs hanging of the aft end.
We need a Tinker.
-
ChrisH
Re: Finally a trial cruise!
We have had a Tinker tramp and a traveller. The traveller actually sailed quite well. We now have a folding rib made by the same firm - bought it when I was still earning good money. Was thinking of selling it and getting an inflatable, but the comparative inflatable was heavier - 38 kilos or thereabout compared to 26 kilos (56lbs) for the rib. So the selling idea was binned on weight & cost grounds! Was thinking about hauling the aftermost side of the dingy into a more (and almost) upright position in the davits when in a chop or bit of a sea, to bring the weight forward and also away from the sea a bit?