Trip planning questions...

[Lucky's]

Hello all!
We are looking at our first ever "long" cruise and just had some questions about making the trip. I was going to put this in the cruising forum, but I have some performance questions, so hope you don't mind its here. We want to travel from Saugatuck to Chicago. Have any of you made a run similar to this? How long would you expect this trip to take? Can you recommend any decent transient slips in the Chicago area? As far as performance goes, my boat has the twin 350 screws. I know it is all relative to weight, sea and wind conditions, etc., but in general with my configuration, what type of fuel consumption should I expect? I have searched this but haven't found any posts with fuel consumption for my boat, so I was hoping to get a little help from the fellow mid to late 80's Weekender 300 crowd! Thanks in advance for any help you can offer. My wife and I are very excited about this trip, but just want to have as much info as possible while we plan it. Thanks again!!

 

[GoofyLeo3]

Pack an American Express card for fuel!
Straight shot, or hugging the coastline?

 

[andyr]

I have twin 5.7L 260 hp 89 Sundancer 300. Overall, I average 10 gph with a mix of cruise, no wakes etc. I allow 12 to 15 gph if mostly running at speed. Your tanks hold 140 gal. Figure 120 cause they are not filled to the top or all usable. Plan to use 80 leave 40 reserve 1/3 reserve for a straight run. That gives you about 5 hours running between refueling. Remember, sea conditions can easily add to time underway. So I plan 4 hour legs. Also, gas may not be available at your planned stop because they ran out, mechanical failure, tenant absent, after hours or the like so have enough gas to reach an alternate. Don't overestimate your average cruise speed. In big water you may be at 14 to 18 kts.

 

[Lucky's]

Thanks for your help so far. We are planning on going straight across.