making a long trip

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hackalar

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Guys i'm thinking of running my boat to FL from Tn this summer for a couple months. I am not new to boating but have never made a trip more than 40 miles or so. I have a ton of questions and worries and i felt you guys could help ease my mind and give advice.

I have a 1995 36 foot silverton cruiser with twin 454 XLi motors. By road i'm 540 miles from my boat to panama city beach fl.

Questions... i think i would be crusing around 20 mph. any idea on how much gas it would take to run 500-550 miles?

never doing this type of trip am i being stupid to try it?

How is the best way to get a list of marinas etc and trip routing information. I'm currently on the tennessee river KY lake in new johnsonville Tn. Not sure how to plan to make sure i dont run out of gas or run into the dark before finding a marina.

Anythings i'm not thinking of?
 
You need to figure out your gph and your mpg in order to calculate how much fuel you will use.

I would guess you are around 30 gallons per hour.
 
I'll agree with the 30 gal/hr. have '93, 454 XLs & that's what we burn at cruise.
 
I average about 0.8 nmpg with those engines in my 34 Conv. Agree with 15 gal per hr per engine at cruise. With low speed and high speed cruise combined, it works aout to about 0.8 mpg. Your 36 express should be about the same.
 
Sounds like a great trip! I would think other boats like yours have done this trip many times. If you calculate your fuel and you are concerned that you might not have enough, you can always carry a few 5 gallon fuel containers to be safe.

I would say continue doing the research you have already begun and go for it. If you have the opportunity,why not?

Peter

"Quagmire Accomplished"
 
quote:
Originally posted by hackalar

never doing this type of trip am i being stupid to try it?
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Not at all! With proper planning it could be a great trip, and one to put in your 'greatest memories' file.
I brought my 25 year old Silverton up the ICW a few years ago and had a blast.

quote:
How is the best way to get a list of marinas etc and trip routing information. I'm currently on the tennessee river KY lake in new johnsonville Tn. Not sure how to plan to make sure i dont run out of gas or run into the dark before finding a marina.
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Never used 'em but I hear ActiveCaptain is a good resource.
Get yourself Cruising Guides for the areas you'll transit, and determine each days route and itinerary. This is an excellent time to use PAPER charts. Note fuel and repair locations along the route.

quote:
Anythings i'm not thinking of?

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- get a towing subscription. Go unlimited. IMO this is cheap insurance in event of a breakdown or grounding.
- speaking of insurance, let your agent know well in advance of your trip so they can confirm your coverage.
- make sure maintenance is up to date and all systems are as bulletproof as possible. Carry spare parts (filters, impellers, etc) even if you don't do your own work.
- don't rely on a strict daily schedule. Let the weather tell YOU when to go and when to stay.
- Assuming you'll bring family, make sure kids have plenty of things to do. From my experience kids generally think cruising is BORING.
- above all, try to relax and enjoy the trip!
 
I'm 33 and i work for myself and can do everything from a laptop. This would be a chance to do something i may never be able to do again. I would have my wife and two kids both boys one 3 and one 9. as long we have an XBOX and little cars and toys we ould be good to go. I thought about having the boat transported down there but i feel it would be roughly the same cost so i figured i would rather make the trip myself and see the views!
 
Are you going down the Mississippi or the Tenn Tom? Check out the AGLCA the great loop people. They have alot of info. Make sure you buy charts for ALL the water you are going to be on. especially for the rivers. Skinny water and wing damns can make for an unpleasant trip.

Get a copy of Quimbys, they cover all the rivers.
 
Highly recommend Active Captain, The Great Loop list and Cruiser's Net as planning and trip resources. There are lots of guide books for a trip like that.

The Great Circle Route by Skipper Bob

A Planning and Cruising Guide to The Great Circle Route Around the Eastern USA by G. Bickley Remmey, Jr.

Southern Waterway Guides
 
Exactly what Capt. Bill said. Plus, I use MarinaLife. you can plan all your stops, calculate distances and they'll make your marina reservations.

Also, I would recomment the tenn River. I haven't made a trip that long on either river but I have been on both rivers and find the tenn to be much more pleasant and a lot less commercial traffic.

Plus, check weatehr and rain patterns to plan the time of year you make your trip. heavy spring rains can make either river a real adventure. (not of the good kind)

Bob
 
" Questions... i think i would be crusing around 20 mph. any idea on how much gas it would take to run 500-550 miles?
"
If you average 30 GPH, ...... 550mi/ 20mph = 27.5 hrs x 30 gph = 825 gallons burn. You can adjust for the more nautical kts and NMPG, but total gals burned should be the same.
Always keep a healthy reserve factored in when planning for fuel & marina stops. I.e., ~1/3 tank for offshore runs, min.1/4 for near shore/near port. As they say, "when man plans, cod laugh."
 
Sounds like a great time. As mentioned before... check with your insurance company. Hurricane Season is from June 1st to November 30th. A large number of insurers do not even provide hurricane (wind storm)insurance in Florida. Make sure you have proper coverage and a storm plan. If you need help with storm planning, there are plenty of members on this board to guide you and help keep you and your boat safe.

Edit: I can provide guidance on marinas, fuel, distances, nice anchorages, etc. from Tarpon Springs South to Marco Island if you need it.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Sandy

" Questions... i think i would be crusing around 20 mph. any idea on how much gas it would take to run 500-550 miles?
"
If you average 30 GPH, ...... 550mi/ 20mph = 27.5 hrs x 30 gph = 825 gallons burn. You can adjust for the more nautical kts and NMPG, but total gals burned should be the same.
Always keep a healthy reserve factored in when planning for fuel & marina stops. I.e., ~1/3 tank for offshore runs, min.1/4 for near shore/near port. As they say, "when man plans, cod laugh."

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And don't forget for your planning, while you may be able to cruise at 20 knots, there may be many days where you will not average that due to weather, traffic, locks, bridges, etc. along the way.
 
Finding gasoline along the Ten-Tom and lower rivers can be an issue. Plenty of diesel, but marina's with gasoline are fewer below Pickwick.
 
Before you consider the trip you need to know what your boat REALLY burns at various speeds. You also need to make sure that your gauges work or better learn how to log your run time, speed and fuel burn.

Fuel managent is critical and frankly the fact that you don't know how much you re burningeans you are not familiar enough with your boat to take that trip yet.

As to planning, active captain is indeed an excellent tool
 
quote:
Originally posted by L. Keith

Finding gasoline along the Ten-Tom and lower rivers can be an issue. Plenty of diesel, but marina's with gasoline are fewer below Pickwick.

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I found that statement to be the reverse. Plenty of stops with gas. Although the Marinas can be far apart. Sometimes it may be nessesary to schedule a truck to meet you on a riverbank somewhere. I have done that trip three times and would do it again! Finding cruising guides and planning the trip is half the fun. Gives you something to do in the winter. The time of year will determine how the trip goes as well. Insurance may be available but as in my case the deductible doubled when below the 36th parallel if the damage was from a named or numbered storm. The spring brings high water and may make the rivers difficult. Just remember that you are on river time. The trip accross the gulf will mean that you need to know exactly what your fuel capacity is. Running out is not an option. Picking a weather window is needed. When we did it it was at trawler speeds and we needed about 20 hours. Most of the wind is from the NW and there is no way to do the trip without a beam sea! Anything above 5ft can be very uncomfortable. The need to wait may require you to sit for days or more waiting.
 
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