Mainship 390 from the Keys to Houston area

[cardude]

Any thoughts on the feasibility of going offshore from the Keys to the Houston area on one of these boats? Looks like it's about 900nm.

Range with the single cummins 5.9 looks to be about 1000 nm at 7 knots with a 10% reserve.

These boats are said to ride like s#%t however, so I'm wondering if my stomach can handle it for 5 days.

Best time of the year to consider this? Or is this a stupid idea altogether?

[djmarchand]

95 times out of 100 you will make it with little trouble. 4 times you will get there but with some grief. And 1% .... you may not get there at all.

You roll the dice and sometimes you crap out.

For a Nordhavn or a Krogen the odds go way up. But in a Mainship, no go coastal.

David

[cardude]

Originally Posted by djmarchand

95 times out of 100 you will make it with little trouble. 4 times you will get there but with some grief. And 1% .... you may not get there at all.

You roll the dice and sometimes you crap out.

For a Nordhavn or a Krogen the odds go way up. But in a Mainship, no go coastal.

David

I like the way you put it in numbers. And I agree. Coastal.

I had a buddy who did an open water crossing from Texas to FL in his old Mainship 34, but he has large cajones and he actually almost died on that crossing when he got caught in a storm.

Can any trawlers heave to????

[Captain Jeffry]

Originally Posted by cardude

Any thoughts on the feasibility of going offshore from the Keys to the Houston area on one of these boats? Looks like it's about 900nm.

Range with the single cummins 5.9 looks to be about 1000 nm at 7 knots with a 10% reserve.

These boats are said to ride like s#%t however, so I'm wondering if my stomach can handle it for 5 days.

Best time of the year to consider this? Or is this a stupid idea altogether?

Brought a Mainship 390 up from La Paz to Marina Del Rey, March this year. 1000 nm. Stopped 1/2 way at Turtle Bay for fuel. These are good boats but in a slight seaway, and at low speed for fuel economy, you will roll like crazy! Very unfortable! Total trip was 124 hrs of moving time. The fuel rate was much greater than planned/suggested buy the owner. Range wasn't close. Go coastal and work the weather windows. At least confirm the range/useage with a stop after 100 miles

[bobconnie]

As Capt J said , go costal ! and besides there so much to see if ya use the ICW thru Miss. and Louisana !! to name one "the Tabasco plant and gift shop" theres even dockage for ya there ! just a thought !

[ranger58sb]

Originally Posted by cardude

I like the way you put it in numbers. And I agree. Coastal.

I had a buddy who did an open water crossing from Texas to FL in his old Mainship 34, but he has large cajones and he actually almost died on that crossing when he got caught in a storm.

Can any trawlers heave to????

Yes, sorta, depends on the actual boat, and a sea anchor can be part of the solution.

Also sometimes necessary to tack toward destination, depending on sea states. Our 34' Mainship III was indeed rolly in some sea states, but mostly not unmanageable.

For a nice ride, weather forecasting is key. As is time to wait until the window is right.

-Chris