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Some Novice Questions (Fuel Consumption, long distance cruises, etc)

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by Scot_J, Nov 7, 2013.

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  1. Scot_J

    Scot_J New Member

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    Good morning everyone,

    Please forgive the novice questions. I'm looking at getting a 55ft boat from Italy and bringing it to Canada for doing small charters, and weekend cruises.

    I'm trying to get a gauge on what it would cost to drive over here (captain aside) in terms of fuel consumption, and if the tanks on board are big enough to support it.

    I have received a rough estimate from Seven Star of around $35k to cross, but also read many negative reviews about them.

    The boat in question is a Abbate Primatist G55. It has 2 - 1050 hp MAN Diesel engines, with 2600L fuel capacity.

    Any idea on optimal cruising speed (for fuel consumption)?

    Any info would be much appreciated.
  2. K1W1

    K1W1 Senior Member

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    Hi,

    Ship it, You will put $35k worth of wear on it if you do make it.

    I wouldn't want to cross the Atlantic on that vessel.
  3. Scot_J

    Scot_J New Member

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    Thanks for the info K1W1!

    Nonetheless, do you any idea on the other specs? I still need to transport it to and from the shipping ports.

    How many L/H at cruising speed? And what is ideal cruising speed in something like that?
  4. K1W1

    K1W1 Senior Member

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    Hi,

    Scot, I am afraid I do not know anything about that boat or what it burns.

    My exposure to small fibreglass speedboats has been limited to going from one place to another as fast as possible with no real regard for the fuel consumption.

    There are others on here who no doubt can chime in with some rough figures
  5. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    I'm finding myself confused. Why are you purchasing a boat that you know so little about? Why so far? Is this just a boat you feel deeply in love wtih as the cost of getting it to you in Canada is going to be 30-35% of the purchase price of the boat?

    Then I wouldn't imagine that particular boat being a popular charter boat although I do admit not knowing the Canadian charter market. But range is typically a concern and most of these only have fuel capacity of 700 gallons. Your cruising range is probably in the area of 200 nm. At displacement speeds that would increase some but not like a displacement designed boat would.
  6. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    Cruising speed is about 35 knots.
  7. K1W1

    K1W1 Senior Member

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    Hi,

    You could write to primatist at primatist dot it and ask them what range it has at slow speed.
  8. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    I hope I'm reading this wrong, but this is not a trans-atlantic boat, range being only one of the concerns. Another thing I wonder about is Canadian charter regualtions. In the U.S. we have the Jones Act. Anybody know if Canada has any similar restrictions? Do you have a reason for choosing this particular boat? There are a lot of similar boats on this side of the pond that may do as well or better for charters and cost you a lot less.
  9. Scot_J

    Scot_J New Member

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    For what we are looking to do the boat is a good fit. It doesn't necessarily need to be one in Italy, but I like the look and feel of that style of boat. I'll certainly look for something here as well; however I wanted to get a grip on what it would cost to bring it over and what the options were. Everyone here has been quite helpful.
  10. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    At cruise on plane I would guess a pair a 1050hp engines will burn around 60 to 70 GPH so a 650/700 USG tank would give you a 10 hours range, more or less.

    Drop to hull speed, 9 kts on a boat that size, and your burn should be around 12 to 14 GPH. That would be 50 hours range or roughly 450nm.

    Rough guesstimates but will give you an idea.

    On charters, especially local cruises, you will probably find yourself running a t hull speed to save fuel but also for better passenger comfort, less noise, stuff staying put, etc...

    And indeed not the kind of boat you can or want to cross the pond
  11. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    A 60' Sunseeker Preditor with 1050 MANNS cruises at 36kts. and burns 106 gph.
  12. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Do not cross the Atlantic with this boat. These figures are very close, I've seen 1050's burn 63gph (both) at 1950rpms......divide your speed by the burn rate and estimate your range based on 80% of your fuel capacity.
  13. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    That has to be WOT figures.

    I manage/maintain a 62' Predator with 1100hp Man Common rails, it burns 85gph at 80% load (about 2100rpms), cruises at 26.5 knots.
  14. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    WRONG! Basic boating, rule of thirds. One third out, one third back and one third in reserve for the unexpected or emergencies. Base your range on 66% of your fuel capacity.
  15. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    Every boat is different. I ran a 60 Pred for several years, every weekend and a trip to Miami. The owner only knew fast. 2300 RPM (90%) gave us 36 kts and we burned 106 gph.
  16. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Not when you're going in one direction or know your exact burn. If I'm taking a boat up the coast, I figure my range on 80% capacity, if the weather turns there is always a sooner inlet to pull into.
  17. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    Sorry, you're wrong again. The op is talking about crossing the pond. There are no sooner inlets. The first third of his trip is out, the last third of his trip is the end. 6' seas as opposed to 1' seas can drink up that extra fuel like a sponge. Plan to go in a sooner inlet? Then compute your 1/3 based on that. But the rule is 1/3 out, 1/3 back and 1/3 in reserve. You can do as you please on the boats you transport. I shave it too on deliveries. I'm sure we've both watched that gauge come precariously close to empty on more than a few ocassions, because time is the client's money. I even watched it go all the way once off A.C. when I stupidly listened to an owner who didn't understand that Newport to Cape May was 3 hour and 120 gals. more than from Montauk to A.C. We're professional delivery captains. But because we break the rule due to our experience doesn't make breaking the rule smart for others. 1/3 out, 1/3 back and 1/3 in reserve.
  18. K1W1

    K1W1 Senior Member

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    Hi,

    CaptJ's 20% reserve is high compared to what is used on many vessels I am familiar with.

    10% with an additional Sea Margin of up to 5 % is about as good as you are going to get from any builder.
  19. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    Boy do I ever hate to disagree with K1W1. It makes me feel like I'm about to eat my words. So let me state that this is said with all due respect, but I believe you're mistaking builder's estimated range with good seamanship principles for recreational vessels. It may also have to do with the vessels you deal with, i.e. very large yachts and commercial vessels. There is no question that the accepted practice for recreational vessels is the rule of thirds.
    http://www.boatingbasicsonline.com/c...eneral/5_6.php
    http://boatsafe.wordpress.com/tag/boating-safety/
    http://www.mce.k12tn.net/survival/reports/boating3.htm
    http://gulffishing.com/USCG_Fuel_Safety.html
    http://www.dnr.state.md.us/boating/p...ionvessels.pdf (page 29)
  20. K1W1

    K1W1 Senior Member

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    Hi,

    NYCAP, I am talking about the range that is accepted by class and insurance as being sufficient for journeys where there are not normally any places to pull in and shelter.

    30% is an excessive amount to put it politely, if this makes you comfortable and you can use this amount in practice, this is your personal choice.

    I am doing a project now where 30% of the fuel will be around 120,000 lts (31,000 USG) The reserve I have agreed to accept is 12% , 10% reserve with 2% sea margin which will still be 48,000 lts ( 12,600 USG) and some of this can be burnt as long as the vessel retains a 10% load condition at arrival, the 10% can be made up of fuel, fresh water, waste water and or ballast it is tied up to the stability data for the vessel.

    This will be a recreational vessel in all respects, run by professional mariners with unlimited certificates of competency it will not be available for charter.