Transatlantic in a 32m planing hull motor yacht?

When I was proofing the news piece, found myself questioning that transatlantic number too. Builders have some liability with performance figures and generally don’t overstate but still… seems optimistic.

I wondered about the guest to crew ratio. It can hold 10 guests and just four crew. Would that overwork a crew?

There are always drums and fuel bladders.

I read a review online and saw this: "Drop the speed back to 10 knots, and the 32L has transoceanic range of 3,496 nautical miles." There was no indication of the fuel capacity or burn rate.

If they allowed a 5% reserve it would give 3800 USG. That allows 380 USG a day for 10 days or 15.83 USG an hour for two main engines and a genset. I know MAN were pushing a 175mm Bore engine a few years ago with a pretty stunning 180gm/kwh - Not sure if that's what this is running but pretty sure that figure is at optimum performance and if not the propellor curve would increase the burn to over 200. If it were to run for 349 hrs the numbers seem even more out of kilter with reality

Any powerboat can do 2,000 or 3,000 miles if you drop the speed enough. If you are making 0.5 nmpg at 10 knots, you would be making 1.0 nmpg at 7 knots. With a boat this large, this is the preferable way to go as shipping the boat will be more expensive. It will take time and may be uncomfortable but totally doable.

The more interesting question is how many boats can do it at planing speed. For my boat, I have calculated between 0.7 nmpg and 1.0 nmpg at 20 knots, depending on weight of the fuel. Assume minimum planing speed is 16 knots and you will vary speed according to conditions, most likely matching the wave speed. So, for 2,000 nm, one needs 2,500 gallons of fuel. That is 2,500 x 7 lb = 17,500 lb of fuel on a dry weight of 30,000 lb. In other words ~35% fuel to displacement ratio. This is nearly impossible on a 50 ft boat. It could be done as a record attempt, i.e. fixing large bladders on the bow and stern, picking a nice weather window and going for it but it is not practical (or insurable) for any reasonable cruising. Still, thinking that rockets can get to 95% fuel to weight ratios...