First longish trip questions...

[DouglasMB]

I am thinking about heading to Shackleford Island for fathersday. Going online and looking at it on a map it looks to be 40 nauticle miles... if i did it correctly. How do I figure out how much gas I will use or need for a round trip? i know it depends on cargo and people and all that but is there a good way to do a rough estimate?

 

[gsmallwood]

Should be safe just saying 1 gal for 1 mile. Should not use quiet that much but with twins won't miss it much.

 

[DouglasMB]

oh wow... ok... well now i know... and what is the optimal RPM I should stay around when crusing around on trips and or pulling a tube or something

 

[kkalsch]

I am thinking about heading to Shackleford Island for fathersday. Going online and looking at it on a map it looks to be 40 nauticle miles... if i did it correctly. How do I figure out how much gas I will use or need for a round trip? i know it depends on cargo and people and all that but is there a good way to do a rough estimate?

Fill up at Sea Gate when you cut over on the inter coastal to be safe -did you sign up for Sea tow or Boats USA? -I would do that before I go -they will tow you home for free just in case!! Do you have a GPS? Shackleford is my favorite hang out......bring your camera to take pictures of the phonies!

 

[DouglasMB]

Fill up at Sea Gate when you cut over on the inter coastal to be safe -did you sign up for Sea tow or Boats USA? -I would do that before I go -they will tow you home for free just in case!! Do you have a GPS? Shackleford is my favorite hang out......bring your camera to take pictures of the phonies!

the GPS from the boat is set up for lake Erie and when I called garmin to talk to them about it hey said because it is a discontinued model I ned to give them a deposite and they would ship me a memory card to update it... when i shipped the card back they would refund the deposite.

I have an edge 305 that I use when I am cyling long trips I think for now i will jsut use that and my phone for a genric location idea... I have never done anything like this so i really hope it all works out ok lol

 

[kkalsch]

the GPS from the boat is set up for lake Erie and when I called garmin to talk to them about it hey said because it is a discontinued model I ned to give them a deposite and they would ship me a memory card to update it... when i shipped the card back they would refund the deposite.

I have an edge 305 that I use when I am cyling long trips I think for now i will jsut use that and my phone for a genric location idea... I have never done anything like this so i really hope it all works out ok lol

Doug -you really need the GPS to show you the water depth in the area your in -there are lots of sand bars and low areas and without the GPS with a nautical map for that area it would be tough -unless you have made that trip before? I personal would not attempt that trip without a marine GPS...Thats just me and yes I have run a ground more that I will admit LOL

 

[mistercomputerman]

Brother

I don't know anything about the water you are thinking over traveling on, but, navigating a boat with a bike computer is a bad idea no matter what water. This is the water. You can die here. You can't just get out and walk home if you make a bad decision. If you do make a bad decision, you need to do it alone and not with others that might be affected by your bad decision.

It would by my suggestion that you have the proper equipment, including navigational aids or charts, along with all of the required safety gear before you start this trip. Additional experience might be very helpful too. Since you had an engine problem 4 days ago, I would also take a few short trips after replacing the filter to insure that the boat is running properly. It would also be advisable to know how much fuel the boat burns when planning a trip so that you can insure the safe passage to and from your destination. Again, you cannot just get out and walk home if you run out of fuel.

Hoping "it all works out OK" is not a plan for success in a situation where it is possible to lose one's life. The water and the weather are to be respected.

I am getting off my soapbox now.

 

[DouglasMB]

Doug -you really need the GPS to show you the water depth in the area your in -there are lots of sand bars and low areas and without the GPS with a nautical map for that area it would be tough -unless you have made that trip before? I personal would not attempt that trip without a marine GPS...Thats just me and yes I have run a ground more that I will admit LOL

i have a depth finder... I guess the fish/depthfinder is not enough? a GPS/plotter is better? I really dont know... here is what i have.... http://www.tigergps.com/gagp17wiinan.html garmin GPSMAP 178C and a... http://store.humminbird.com/products/344716/565 Humminbrid 565

 

[Reveler's Revenge]

I agree here. The waters down here are treacherous to say the least. Wait foot the proper cartography and a solid engine...you will be glad.

I've been boating here for thirty plus years and I ran aground not long ago. $2k in repairs to the outdrive alone! Be safe...come down in a week or so.

Reveler's Revenge

 

[DouglasMB]

Brother

I don't know anything about the water you are thinking over traveling on, but, navigating a boat with a bike computer is a bad idea no matter what water. This is the water. You can die here. You can't just get out and walk home if you make a bad decision. If you do make a bad decision, you need to do it alone and not with others that might be affected by your bad decision.

It would by my suggestion that you have the proper equipment, including navigational aids or charts, along with all of the required safety gear before you start this trip. Additional experience might be very helpful too. Since you had an engine problem 4 days ago, I would also take a few short trips after replacing the filter to insure that the boat is running properly. It would also be advisable to know how much fuel the boat burns when planning a trip so that you can insure the safe passage to and from your destination. Again, you cannot just get out and walk home if you run out of fuel.

Hoping "it all works out OK" is not a plan for success in a situation where it is possible to lose one's life. The water and the weather are to be respected.

I am getting off my soapbox now.

as fro saftly equipment the local power squadrin went over my boat and did a inspection to make sure I was all good. I would never want to put my family in danger.

The boat yard had my boat for 3 weeks going over odds and ends to make sure i was ready for the water, I think the filter thing was a fluke or maybe not but to the best of my ability and money I have paid to have it gone over top to bottom to get everything as right as i could before it hit the water because I do not have a trailer to pull it back out yet, and besides a bout out of water is no fun lol so I wanted it right. With the insurance I bought I do have a membership to BoatUSA and I have laminated charts and had planned on just following the channel untill I got to the intercoastal where I would meet up with people I work with. They are putting in closer because they can trailer their boat. There will be about 4 boats total.

I have run the boat for roughly 1-2 hours almost everyday this week, trying to sort out things tomake sure it is all working prorperly and seeing where my gages are to make sure that it is normal. Or if what i am seeing is a gage issue. My tank holds 120 Gal. so even if I only get 1 gal a mile I will still do well. with the trip only being 40 miles.

Does it sound like I am jumping the gun... or have I done what I should?

 

[kkalsch]

I agree here. The waters down here are treacherous to say the least. Wait foot the proper cartography and a solid engine...you will be glad.

I've been boating here for thirty plus years and I ran aground not long ago. $2k in repairs to the outdrive alone! Be safe...come down in a week or so.

Reveler's Revenge

What the heck are you doing??? You and your fine running fishing boat should be out at the Big Rock trying to win the prize this week...........

 

[mainstream]

i have a depth finder... I guess the fish/depthfinder is not enough? a GPS/plotter is better? I really dont know... here is what i have.... http://www.tigergps.com/gagp17wiinan.html garmin GPSMAP 178C and a... http://store.humminbird.com/products/344716/565 Humminbrid 565

One thing to remember is a depth gauge is ususally in the back of the boat alot of the time you only find out that the water is to skinny when its to late boats dont have breaks also I my self always try to figure 10% reserve fuel above what i figure its going to take me i really think you should get a little more experiance with your boat with a proper gps plotter so you know how far you get on a tank and what cruising speeds give you the most effieicnt ride most marine plotters have a tracking and miles you have traveled so you can get a pretty good idea of how much fuel you use rember tides and wind and currents will affect fuel usage you can never be to safe when traveling on the water.Good luck and safe boating

 

[Big Island Lifer]

You may want to look for a fuel stop on the way back. Most people don't like running to the 1/4 mark when considering how much fuel they have in reserve. If you run into weather or the trip takes twice as long as you anticipated you may be in trouble. Do you know really how accurate your gas guage is?
Have you checked the forecasts? Tides swell etc.
A backup GPS would be nice. Many have downloaded the Navionics app for their Iphone or Ipad.
My guess is that 3200 -3400 rpm would put you at about 20 mph in calm water. You most efficient cruising speed should be near that depending on your load and conditions.
I am assuming your VHF is working properly. Is it tied into your GPS? Do you have an Epirb? Ditch bag? Life Raft? These items are considered extras by some- I feel much safer the few times I have been off shore with them on the boat.

I wish I was in an area where I had the ability to do some destination boating. Have fun.

 

[DouglasMB]

You may want to look for a fuel stop on the way back. Most people don't like running to the 1/4 mark when considering how much fuel they have in reserve. If you run into weather or the trip takes twice as long as you anticipated you may be in trouble. Do you know really how accurate your gas guage is?
Have you checked the forecasts? Tides swell etc.
A backup GPS would be nice. Many have downloaded the Navionics app for their Iphone or Ipad.
My guess is that 3200 -3400 rpm would put you at about 20 mph in calm water. You most efficient cruising speed should be near that depending on your load and conditions.
I am assuming your VHF is working properly. Is it tied into your GPS? Do you have an Epirb? Ditch bag? Life Raft? These items are considered extras by some- I feel much safer the few times I have been off shore with them on the boat.

I wish I was in an area where I had the ability to do some destination boating. Have fun.

the weather is going to be amaizing.... and I have navionics on my phone already. About 1/3 of my trip is to an intercoastal waterway... and then 1/3 of it is through the waterway. Along that stretch there are 4 places to get gas. And my radio is in tip top shape as well like I said just at half way I will be meeting about 4 other boats to finish the trip with so I will not be alone that long.

My maps and charts show the trouble areas for boaters as well as water depth at low and high tide. I have done as much home work as I can... I agree with the 1/4 tank idea I will refual on my way back even though I should not even be at 1/2 tank. It's 82 miles round trip... on 120 gal tank.

 

[src]

Edit: removed since I didn't see the second page of posts and added nothing new or particularly useful.

 

[mistercomputerman]

Good luck, you obviously did not want the advice you solicited.

Weather changes, often frequently, especially in NC and VA. Cell phones and bicycle computers are not appropriate navigation devices. You have little time behind the wheel of the boat and part of that time was spent broken down.

Most of us fear that you are biting off more than you may be able to chew and that you do not have the experience necessary. Risk taking does not go well with boating.

I would not make the trip with you until I had more confidence in the reliability of the vessel, it's electronics and it's operator.

 

[DouglasMB]

Your depth finder will only tell you how deep the water _was_ where you just passed. It doesn't do _anything_ to tell you what's in front of you. You _need_ to use a marine GPS with updated charts (channels/sandbars/depths change all the time) to know where to point your boat to avoid trouble.

Also, get a fresh set of paper charts and learn to use them. GPS is not perfect, nor is it perfectly reliable.

I actually just got some updates charts... The power squad here is an amazing resource. and I plan on just staying in the channel for the most part... then once in the intercoastal I will just follow the guys I am meeting

 

[spfortjohn]

I pulled that area up on a map. Does not look that bad stay with the experienced boaters and plan for the unexpected. Watch the weather and be safe It is not like you are crossing the gulf stream. I do recommend getting the updated chart for your gps. I run from orange beach, al to Pensacola beach, fl all the time just be aware and you will do fine.

 

[DouglasMB]

I pulled that area up on a map. Does not look that bad stay with the experienced boaters and plan for the unexpected. Watch the weather and be safe It is not like you are crossing the gulf stream. I do recommend getting the updated chart for your gps. I run from orange beach, al to Pensacola beach, fl all the time just be aware and you will do fine.

The water here is well marked as far as the channels go and untill i learn the area more i will just stay in the channel. This is a huge baoting community in my area and I have a lot of people plus you folks here to pull from as a resource. I know it may seem to some like I am jumping the gun going from driving in the parking lot to the interstate... but i really have gone through what I can to be ready.

The weather looks to be high 79 with a 12 mil an hour wind so it's going to be nice

 

[moparlvr4406]

Douglas
what ever you decide to do...have fun and be safe
I really have no advise being a lake bound boater
but work within your comfort level