Power Across The Atlantic

[BandB]

Originally Posted by HopCar

I was wrong. It is a single engine as he talks about "I shut off the engine".

Unless he just left the "s" off......

[Liunatic]

My husband spent a month on Dauntless when it was in Miami (and at HopCar's). We are the people in Providence, RI, that he mentions in his blog, as he spent time here before making the jump to P-Town and beyond.

Yes, single engine.

[a64pilot]

I was asking as 1.5 GPH with 120 HP twins would be really good, as it is 1.5 GPH means he at 5-% power or less?

[Liunatic]

120 HP, at 1400 RPMs he burns 1.5 gallons and makes 6 knots in "normal" seas. That is what Richie reports as optimum for Dauntless

[BandB]

Originally Posted by Liunatic

120 HP, at 1400 RPMs he burns 1.5 gallons and makes 6 knots in "normal" seas. That is what Richie reports as optimum for Dauntless

That is very consistent with other reports of the engine in top condition. We've had reports in the 1.75-2.00 gph range at 1600-1800 rpm posted here and elsewhere. Now others have reported higher gph but the belief was their engines were not in optimum condition.

[HopCar]

Dauntless is safe in harbor in the Azores!
If you look closely, you can see her in a slip to the left side of this webcam image.
Lajes das Flores Lookout — Açores, Lajes das Flores, Ilha Flores, Portugal — Lookr

[Dauntlessny]

Thanks for all your support.

Richard and Mel were so helpful in getting the boat ready this past winter and spring.

To clarify, it's a single Ford Lehman SP135.
No backup, no aux engine, no nothin.

If it stops, we drift til I fix it or not.

I kept the rpms low, at 1500, to make sure of my consumption. First 6 days it was 1.5 gal/hr or 3.8nm/gal.

We then went a knot faster last 6 days.

Overall, we arrived Azores with 130 gal remaining.

Overall for trip is 1.7 gal/hr 3.5 nm/gal avg speed 6.0 knots. We had to have Paravanes on water 90% of time.

Richard on Dauntless, currently in Horta, Azores


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[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by Dauntlessny

...
No backup, no aux engine, no nothin.

If it stops, we drift til I fix it or not.

I kept the rpms low, at 1500, to make sure of my consumption. First 6 days it was 1.5 gal/hr or 3.8nm/gal.
...

Curious about your perspective and plan B in this situation. Obviously a failure mid-Atlantic that you could not resolve at sea would not be a good situation. What was your plan if that ocurred?

[HopCar]

I would imagine if he can't fix it, he would ask for help.

[Dauntlessny]

What is your plan if you are de-masted in the middle of the ocean?

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[Dauntlessny]

If one wants guarantees, boating is not the answer.

I have spare parts for all the pieces on the engine, if it's something internal, like a rod or valve, I'm SOL.

But engines usually don't fail like that, especially ones that are running at less than 50% power.



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[malbert73]

Originally Posted by Dauntlessny

If one wants guarantees, boating is not the answer.

I have spare parts for all the pieces on the engine, if it's something internal, like a rod or valve, I'm SOL.

But engines usually don't fail like that, especially ones that are running at less than 50% power.

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Yeah a transmission or rod failure eg could be a real bummer but very unlikely. I imagine the play would be call for help and hope a ship can divert to pick you up. Maybe even tow your boat if close enough to land but doubt that would work. Could you fly small sails from your mast, or carry an extension so as to make slow progress under sail

[goboatingnow]

lots and lots of ships out there with one engine!!!


dave

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by Dauntlessny

What is your plan if you are de-masted in the middle of the ocean?

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Masts usually fail at some intermediate point....not fall down entirely so jury rigging is usually the answer. And with two sails and two engines....Ive got lots of options.

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by HopCar

I would imagine if he can't fix it, he would ask for help.

No doubt conveniently nearby mid-Atlantic.