would you take a 240SD to the Bahamas?

[Woody]

The OAL is only 8" more but it appears to have more hull in the water than the 240SD(big swim platform). A 32% increase in weight along with the increased deadrise I think would make for a great handling boat in less than ideal conditions. It also has 100gal fuel vs 65 which under the right conditions may be a big +.

 

[chuck1]

I wonder why the draft is less? You would think it would be more with the extra weight and dead rise. I agree about the fuel tank. I sure wish the 240SD had a bigger tank. The 65 Gal only give me about 180+ mile range.

 

[Woody]

I wonder why the draft is less? You would think it would be more with the extra weight and dead rise. I agree about the fuel tank. I sure wish the 240SD had a bigger tank. The 65 Gal only give me about 180+ mile range.

Just a guess but I think this illustrates that there is enough more hull(length) in the water which decreases density, so she floats higher.

 

[comsnark]

The specs can be very misleading in my view.

First off, draft is dictated by the outdrives. . which are placed at a certain depth by the manufacturer. You really can't tell how deep the hull is in the water without looking at the boat. The LOA is also could also be very misleading depending upon the outdrive and swim platform configuration.

I think the more telling stat is the fuel tank size. On the water. . you need margin.

I think freeboard at the bow and stern are also critical factors.. . especially in an open bow boat.

 

[Woody]

The specs can be very misleading in my view.

First off, draft is dictated by the outdrives. . which are placed at a certain depth by the manufacturer. You really can't tell how deep the hull is in the water without looking at the boat. The LOA is also could also be very misleading depending upon the outdrive and swim platform configuration.

I think the more telling stat is the fuel tank size. On the water. . you need margin.

For the 240SD the 41" is with drive down. SR specs often give draft up/down #s. An inch or two one way or another probably isn't that important unless your on the east coast:lol:

 

[comsnark]

Very true. 5' is deep water in my neck of the woods. Draft is CRITICAL for me. Depth gauge shows 2' 6" at my local fuel dock.

 

[chuck1]

The shallow depths always drive me crazy when I'm on the coast. I'm used to 30-100+' in the mountain lakes.

 

[Woody]

I have about 16' when I'm in the slip. I guess I'm spoiled.

 

[NautyDog]

I was talking to a Rocket Surgeon, and their opinion was "Yeah, no"

Assume you're going to sink out in the middle of the gulf stream, and start from there.

This is just a risk-analysis question which is why their are so many varying opinions.
Of course it's ridiculous to cross the gulf stream in a 240 DA. But many of my non-boater friends think I'm a complete moron for even getting on a boat.

Winning the lottery is 1 in 20 million, but losing only costs you $1.
Sinking in the gulf stream may be 1 in 10 million, but losing that bet might cost you your life.

Do your own math

 

[Chris Dauth]

Back to the origional thread, would you take a 240SD to the Bahamas ?

Yes, BUT !!
First up, I'm in Australia and I gather Bimimi is only about 50 / 60 miles off the coast of Florida.

You have to have the experience at sea, to read the weather, and to intimately know your boat. The only way to to that is to start doing it, short trips in open waters. Then venture further off the coast.

30 years ago, I started coastal cruising, short trips at first and eventually doing 1400 nm round trips from the Gold Coast in Queensland to the Whitsundays on the Great Barrier Reef. This was done in my 34 footer I had for over 10 years and I use to do that trip almost every year.
Yes, it was a 34 footer, twin 250HP diesels, but, I sold her (22000 nm on the clock, VDO Sumlog) when I retired, thinking I couldn't afford toys like that.

Now I have a 1992 270 Weekender and have done several long trips in her, 250 nm was the longest so far, back up to the reef. I feel now that I could take her anywhere, now that all the reliability issues have been taken care of.

The rewards are fantastic. Not only you get to see exotic places only accessible by boat, but also a sence of self esteem, " I did it ! and I had a great time".

So, would I take a 240 SD to the Bahamas ? Yes ! It's only 60 nm !

See some pictures in My album in my profile.

 

[berth control]

I wonder why the draft is less? You would think it would be more with the extra weight and dead rise. I agree about the fuel tank. I sure wish the 240SD had a bigger tank. The 65 Gal only give me about 180+ mile range.

180+ is as good or better than most pocket cruisers - I get 1.5 mpg and carry 125 gal - 187mies until I'm OUT in ideal conditions, so my range is more like 150 miles - 80%.

 

[trit21]

So I quess a 240SD could go with you?

Key words is designer for 'quick' drainage. 240SD is not designer for quick drainage. Take a look at a Boston Whaler, those big holes in the back of the boat are scuppers, they let out a lot of water very quickly. Any fishing boat has them.

Would we allow a 240SD to go, NO. Would you want to be in 3-4 seas for 3 hrs with waves going over my radar arch in your 240SD? Sometimes we leave Bimini in 2-3' seas and they get worse when you cross the gulf stream (3-5') and back down to 2-3' when you get near the coast of FL (or vise versa). You don't want to be in a boat that does not drain within a couple of seconds. I agree the 240SD drains, but not before the next wave hits.

Just admit it, the 240SD is not designer to be in blue water, period. It is a lake boat that people take in the ocean.

 

[berth control]

Would you want to be in 3-4 seas for 3 hrs with waves going over my radar arch in your 240SD?

3-4' seas go over your radar arch?

 

[trit21]

3-4' seas go over your radar arch?

Pretty sure that said 5' seas.....and it all depends on the frequency....1 every 3 secs yes....1 every 10-15 secs no.

Sometimes it is not about how high but how often.

This is when you slow down and push alot of water to get home, oh yeah and hold on. We have crossed in perfectly flat seas you can take a row boat across, and other times in 3-5' seas with 6-8 ft rollers. All depends on how close they are to each other.

 

[trit21]

Oops....one does say 3-4 and the other 3-5....my bad.... I am the idiot here...I need to learn to always proof read before hitting send.....

 

[Morpheus]

As far as I know on our 240SD's the only water that drains out those pretty holes on the sides of the boat is from the sinks and the bilge pumps. All the deck water and locker drains all go to the engine bilge (I know cause I filled mine up washing the boat while it was in the water and the bilge pumps take a while to pump out water. Sure yo ucould take the first one over the bow but the second and third would probably sink ya.

 

[charlg]

What about putting on the canvas bow cover, closing the windshield, and opening the helm storage door to seal everything off? Would that hold up and displace a lot of the water in an unexpected storm? That's always been my plan if I got caught in rough water.

 

[unlvrebel]

I LOVE this thread...

 

[unlvrebel]

I wonder why the draft is less? You would think it would be more with the extra weight and dead rise. I agree about the fuel tank. I sure wish the 240SD had a bigger tank. The 65 Gal only give me about 180+ mile range.

You know Chuck, we could always convert the freshwater tank to a second fuel tank in a pinch...:thumbsup: Another ten gallons baby!!!!!:lol:

 

[Woody]

What about putting on the canvas bow cover, closing the windshield, and opening the helm storage door to seal everything off? Would that hold up and displace a lot of the water in an unexpected storm? That's always been my plan if I got caught in rough water.

The bow cover helps alot unless your taking real big waves over the boat. What I found was the support pole can't take it and gets driven down(the thumb screw isn't enough to keep it extended up). Once it collapses the canvas actually funnels all the water into the boat.