Miami to Grenada

I've had a few really calm trips through there. I wouldn't say it's that bad. I'll tell you one thing, the stretch between St. Martin and St. Croix can be really sloppy if you're heading south......

Looking for information about running my Hatteras 70 cpmy from ft lauderdale to bvi. She has 12v92 and is a 1990 model. She runs smoke free and seems to like running at 1000rpm, 10 knots. What fuel burn can I expect? What is best route? How long is trip? Thanks M

Thought about running 10 knots from Lauderdale to Bimini , then on to Chub, Chub to Nassau, Nassau to top of Exumas, go down the chain then off to Turks and Caicos. From Turks to Dominican R. Then over to Puerto Rico, then on to St . John and then Tortolla. Just concerned about fuel burn , and overall cost staying on the hook here and there and using some Marinas. Want to take our time and choose good weather windows. Thinking about leaving Lauderdale in June and using 6 weeks to travel. Any thoughts out there. 70 Foot Hateras CPMY. M

I'm very familiar with the larger Hatteras' and Detroits. You'll burn right around 15 gph for both engines at 1000rpms. I'd run the engines up to 2000 rpms (slowly up 1400rpms for several minutes to burn off some of the stuff, then the rest of the way up) for 30 minutes, every 6 hours. Your route sounds fine.

How much fuel does it hold? Will you be running 24/7 or day trips?

The route I like is down through the Bahamas to the T&Cs, then the DR, over to PR (sometimes along the South side), then on to St. Thomas and into the BVIs.

It's been a while since I've run 12v92s but I'm guessing at 1000 rpm you are looking at around 20-25 per hour with a genset. (I now see J beat me to it on fuel. His number is probably closer. )

Off the top of my head the distance is around 1400 - 1500 nm. as I recall. So if you could run nonstop at 10 knots the trip would take about 6 days.

But depending on the time of year weather can be a big factor. So count on it taking longer. Sometimes much longer.

A lot of good information can be found in "The Gentleman's Guide to Passages South".

Will you be needing and extra crew?

Did the detuning help in fuel consumption?

Yes I read your comments about fuel burn going North toward Boston. We took her outside from Ft.Lauderdale to Miami for New Years. The bottom needs. Paint, although I have the bottom cleaned once per month, and props have not been checked. I attempted to run her at 13-14 knots at 1,400 rpm. She emptied my forward tank that held 270 gal and was 3/4 full. On my return ran her at 1000 rpm and only burned 1/4 of same tank. Seas were only 1-2feet. My plan is to have bottom done and props trued before long trip. Will sea conditions greatly effect fuel burn? Will I have to throttle up in heavier seas to gain more stability even with stabilizers?

Taking a leisurly 6 weeks should provide enough time to enjoy the sites? Leaving in June or early July a good time? Avoiding winter winds and Hurricane season?

Not at this time, most likely taking our time will be my wife and I. We cruised the Bahamas in our 50 express. Hoping we can run the 70 Hatteras as well.

Thought we would run with full fuel and water , topping off as we went so as to have good stability with weight low giving good balist.

As you go through the Bahamas and on down the islands be sure to call ahead any where you think you might be fueling up to make sure they will have fuel when you arrive.

Yes thanks ! Do you think a leisurly 6 week trip going 10 knots leaving in late June or early July sounds good??

Thanks for the tips! I agree that 10 knots seems like the ticket. Yes not much at Chub but to stop and rest, although Nassua just 40 miles. We however have encountered heavy seas off Chub since depths drop to over 3000 ft. Swells with a wind build up easily. Got pounded in our 50 express a few years ago with 6-8 foot seas. Have not been to Exumas but looking forward to it. M

Generally it's best to run 1 engine off of each tank on the Hatteras. Agree 14 knots is a horrible speed. 12v92's usually burn about 90 gph at cruise speed for both. Full of fuel and water does very little for stability, but I've found 10 knots to be the most stable speed in the larger hatteras MY's out of any of the speeds. Definately paint the bottom and service EVERYTHING before you leave and have plenty of spares, if you don't have one get a watermaker. Heavy seas don't effect fuel burn very much on the Hatteras' at 10 knots, unless they get 6' and over. At cruise yes.....fuel burn stays the same but speed drops a lot.

I agree spend lots more time in the Exumas, Sampson Cay is my favorite (and the surrounding islands).

Yes that sounds great. Just keep an eye out for early hurricanes of course. As others have said, take your time in the Exumas. But be sure to leave plenty of time for the Southern Bahamas as well.

And yes it is about 1000 miles as the crow flies from Ft. Lauderdale to the BVIs. But you're not traveling by crow so the zigging and zagging you'll be doing along the way can add significantly to that distance.

Yes will watch for hurricanes. May departure around the first of June best bet. Any particular stops along the way that should take time at? Does anyone know if detuning 12v92 increase fuel efficiency at 1000 rpm running??

Depending on what you like to do, in the Bahamas I enjoy spending time at the Staniel Key area, Warderick Wells, Compass Key, Pipe Creek, Big and Little Farmers Keys and Georgetown is OK if you need supplies or feel the need to mingle with cruisers. On down in the Bahamas check out, Long Island (swim in the blue hole and check out the anchorage at Little Harbour), Rum Key, Cat Island, Abrahams Bay in Mayaguana.

Then in the T&Cs, Turtle Cove Marina for fuel and supplies, the anchorage where the now closed Nikki Beach resort is is very nice, West Caicos for diving and then Salt Key which is like stepping back in time compared to most of the islands now.

In the DR I like Samana.

In PR, Boqueron on the West coast, Ponce if you go South and need fuel, Old San Juan is cool if you've never been. On the East coast of PR check out Palmas del Mar yacht Club if you need a marina and then the islands of Culebra and Vequez for great beaches.

I'd look at having your props tuned up before messing with injectors in the DDs.

Update...

Well...

Just completed West Palm to Grenada in just over 7 days travel time (2 days @ Flying Fish Marina waiting out weather)...

NOT a Sea Ray! 54' express F&S (ex-True Grit) with owner on board and a tight time frame as he wanted to enter fishing tournament in Grenada...made it on time.

Boat holds just under 1,000 gallons...had 2 fuel bladders but didn't use them at all.

Did 3 overnight legs: Clarence Town to Ocean World (315 nm), Ocean World to Puerto Del Rey (again, 315 nm), and Puerto Del Rey to Antigua (250 nm).

We had some pretty significant seas (which I definitely would not have chanced with a 44' Sea Ray..) but the F&S hull handled it all amazingly well