Leaving Thurs.—Ft. Lauderdale to CT. Tips, recommendations?

[ctlionsden]

The day is finally arriving…we'll be splashing "TOGETHER" after taking care of items flagged in the survey and adding some electronics.
A day to stock the boat for the trip north, a final trial (check the efficiency of a re-pitched prop vs. the one on the boat), and then we start our odyssey north. We plan to run outside along the FL coast if weather is good. Not too sure where else it pays to run offshore vs the ICW to make better time—I hear running some inlets can be tricky for the uninitiated.

I'd welcome any suggestions or advice re cruising the ICW—I've heard there are shoaling problems in some places, but figure we can ask ahead wherever we stop for a night. Any suggestions about places worth spending a few hours or a day would be welcome, too.

I've noticed references to different cruising speeds, ranging from 13-18 knots for 32CB's… is the fuel burn/economy with a Cummins 370 a straight line increase from hull speed to fast cruising, or are there "sweet spots" for efficiency for both leisure speed and higher speed operation?

[jcollins]

Lionel,
There are a few good Internet resources out there. One that I can think of is http://www.waterwayguide.com/.
Another: http://www.cruisingtheicw.com/

There are also updated charts available and a very good cruising guide. The guides are well worth the money to purchase even for one trip. Local knowledge is always good too.

Good luck,

John

[jleonard]

is the fuel burn/economy with a Cummins 370 a straight line increase from hull speed to fast cruising, or are there "sweet spots" for efficiency for both leisure speed and higher speed operation?

Fuel curves are never a straight line. If you use the horsepower you pay for it fuel burn. Period. And it is a curve trust me.

I probably have the "typical" curve from Cummins on my work computer.
If you want it send me an e mail to
jleonard@usa.norgren.com
And I'l reply with the curve (if I have it).

[tomcat]

We ran around 9 knots from L.I. Sound, up the Hudson to our marina north of Troy, NY and we figured right around 5 gph. We have twin 370 Cummins.
If you decide to continue north...stop by the Schuyler Yacht Basin on the upper Hudson! Have a good, safe trip!

[Russell]

There are Cummins data sheets in the documents section. I think fuel burn curves are in there and if not for the 370 they will be similar. You need a flow scan to find a sweet spot but without that you can probably do well by using close to the minimum speed to stay on a plane for an economy cruise. At 1900 RPM my 28TE does 13 knots and it just feels good. I use that for sunset cruises with friends.
You should pass through Norfolk and if you need any help my cell number is 757 445-5105.

[jcollins]

If you run the Chesapeake give me a call if you need help with anything. I'm near Hart-Miller, Middle River, Gunpowder River, Pooles Island. I'll PM my cell.

John

[Drew]

The Salty Southeast Cruisers' Net (http://www.cruisersnet.net) is also a good site. They have all the problem spots along the ICW in the Southeast. The ICW through Georgia is wonderful if you have not yet experinced it. Good luck on your cruise.

[ctlionsden]

Thanks to everyone for your suggestions and support! What a great feeling.
I'll post updates on the trip.
…might even keep a blog, if wi-fi is accessible where we turn in for the night.

Lionel E.

[jleonard]

Yes there is a fuel curve for the 315 hp engine in the documents section. Your 370 would be similar but obviously would go higher at the upper end of the curve. Understand that fuel burn is beased on horsepower in use, not engine rpm. That depends on how your boat is propped.
With a Cummins 6B you need to be propped to get 100 rpm OVER rated at WOT. If you want details as to why you can go into http://www.boatdiesel.com and read all about it.
Have a safe trip and perhaps we'll meet someday in LI Sound.

[DougSea]

Thanks to everyone for your suggestions and support! What a great feeling.
I'll post updates on the trip.
…might even keep a blog, if wi-fi is accessible where we turn in for the night.

Lionel E.

Good luck Lionel! The blog sounds great - I can sit in the office and pretend I'm traveling the ICW!

Doug

[Seaslug44]

Anyone hear from Lionel? His trip should have ending weeks ago.

[DougSea]

Anyone hear from Lionel? His trip should have ending weeks ago.

Haven't seen anything.

I'm assuming they left Florida on Thursday the 10th. That makes it 2 weeks today. Depending on how hard they push, and I'm guessing they aren't pushing too much, they could still be on the way north.

Lionel, if you see this post give us an update, your AOG family's wondering where you are!

[jcollins]

I was expecting a call and possibly a visit as he came through my area. I haven't heard anything.

John

[Seaslug44]

Okay. Should we be worried?

[DougSea]

Okay. Should we be worried?

If you click on his name it shows a visit to the site on July 5th, so I'm guessing he made it back.

Speaking from personnal experience life does sometimes interfere with things. I was VERY active on this site when I first joined, went quiet for a while, started to get active again and then we had some medical issues (which worked out well in the end but kept me off the site almost completely for 4+ months) and now you guys are all wishing I'd shut up!!

So hopefully he's doing ok and we'll hear from him again soon.