Beau's Boat

[dgorila1]

Since we're on the topic, based on everyones experience what is the best brand of diesel for a boat , one that is most reliable with proper maintenance schedule followed (caterpillar, yanmar, volvo, etc)? I'm focusing on what's available in the U.S. as I know there are many foreign brands not normally seen in america.

[beau]

An update on Beau's Boat.
Which started as a 39 ft aluminium motor sailor trimaran.
The 30 hp Honda's were sold off and replaced with two 90 hp Tohatsu two stroke outboards.
Finally the Tohatsu dealer gave me the right pitch props and I can report the boat performs according to plan.
At 5,250 rpm (max) i recorded a speed of 15 knots, I had to pump 100 liters of salt water into the anchor well to keep the nose down to stop the hull trying to plane.
I can also pump fuel into the forward tank.

Crusing speed is 8-10 knots at 3,000 rpm. I am very happy with the economy and the wave piercing performance.
The boat is now 43 ft long (outboard pods) and weight is 6 ton.
Draft is 1 ft .

Next is to test the Oceanic lateen sail for low cost downwind sailing.

There are too many cyclones around here (brisbane Australia) to even think about going north at the moment , but we still hope to be in Thursday Island by early April enroute to Indonseia and the Phillipines.

[beau]

I am not too happy with solar, 3 X 200 watts mono and only getting 22 amps for 4 hours a day, what have I done wrong.?

[44'cruisingcat]

How are your batteries? If they are pretty well charged up, the regulator will limit the input.

I have 600 watts solar too, and have seen max of over 40 amps, using an MPPT charge controller. But you only get the 40 amps for maybe an hour, or less.

Further south, where I am now (Sydney), around 30 - 35 is the max amps I get.

Having said that, the days are longer here so it kind of balances out....

Best days charging I've had was around 220 amp-hours. And there's been precious few days like that in QLD the past 12 months.

[beau]

Finally away, sold the car,
Waited for a weather window.
First day Moolababa and second day Wide bay bar.
Crossed Ok and we are now inside Fraser island baking some fresh bread.

I run the Tohatsu outboards at 2,000-3,000 rpm cruise at 7-8 knots and use 10-15 liters and hour for both motors.
No wind to speak of so far but we will try sailing in the next couple of days.
Urangan next and then Bundaberg.
I love the shallow draft the most of all (1ft)

[sctpc]

Sooooo jealous. Have a great safe time and keep us informed.

[beau]

Currently in Keppel bay Marina at Yepoon (Rosslyn bay)
waiting for the weather to improve.
Good trip so far, plenty fish but no mud crabs yet.
We Cruise at 7-8 knots with outboards running at 2,800 rev's each.
Threw out the Kipor generator and bought a Honda 2kva. The Honda is much quieter and more reliable, also bought a 120amp power supply to pump up battery bank.
Not impressed with Solar.

[Gustavo]

Hi all, this is my first post.

I have been following Beau progress for years, and now I have a chance to built a boat. I love his ideas, how he has MADE it.

Getting to the point here: are there any plans available to built a scaled down version or full scale version with plywood?

Please advise further, I would like to start soon...

Thank you very much,

Gustavo from the Costa del Sol, SPAIN

[44'cruisingcat]

Originally Posted by beau

Finally away, sold the car,
Waited for a weather window.
First day Moolababa and second day Wide bay bar.
Crossed Ok and we are now inside Fraser island baking some fresh bread.

I run the Tohatsu outboards at 2,000-3,000 rpm cruise at 7-8 knots and use 10-15 liters and hour for both motors.
No wind to speak of so far but we will try sailing in the next couple of days.
Urangan next and then Bundaberg.
I love the shallow draft the most of all (1ft)

Have to say, your fuel consumption seems pretty high. Motoring we cruise at similar speeds, but only use around 5 litres per hour total. 20 hp Hondas at around 4200 rpm.

[beau]

We are currently in Mackay marina with 30 knots of wind outside, so we will stay put, for a few more days, next stop Bowen.

[44'cruisingcat]

Bypassing the Whitsundays? I know there's a lot of charter boats around, but they aren't allowed in Hill inlet. Great spot for shallow draught, good fishing, crabbing, and just a beautiful spot.

[cat man do]

Originally Posted by beau

We are currently in Mackay marina with 30 knots of wind outside, so we will stay put, for a few more days, next stop Bowen.

Right up the clacker
Latest Weather Observations Mackay
Is that to much to give the crab claw sail a run????

[beau]

Yes it is.
We havn't used the sail yet, so we want to start in milder weather.
We have used more fuel than I would like, but one advantage is that we can motor on flat calm days when All the yachts stay put, due to lack of wind.

[44'cruisingcat]

Um, most yachts could motor on the flat calm days too, and many could average similar speeds you do. I'd say most would use a bit less fuel too.

But we choose to sail because we prefer to.

[beau]

Hi all, this is my first post.

I have been following Beau progress for years, and now I have a chance to built a boat. I love his ideas, how he has MADE it.

Getting to the point here: are there any plans available to built a scaled down version or full scale version with plywood?

Please advise further, I would like to start soon...

Thank you very much,

Gustavo from the Costa del Sol, SPAIN

The design is a work in progress, no plans are available at this stage.
For the concept to work the bow entry must be no more than 13 degrees, which generally means the overall width of the boat is narrow, which requires stabilizers in the form of outriggers.
The boat is flat bottomed.
In future versions I would raise "the nuckle'' because in my current boat I get slap at anchor if a sea is running.