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Lexam · 08-08-2011, 17:47

Searched and couldn't seem to find the answer. (Either I have weird questions or I'm a bad searcher) What is the minimum range for a Motor Yacht to be able to circumnavigate the globe?

Charlie · 08-08-2011, 18:04

Longest leg is across the South Pacific. Could be anywhere from 3000 actual miles and up. This would then assume refueling in the Marquesas which coud be quite expensive and require some planning. Don't know what kind of buffer is required for a power boat but I would think 25% would be realistic. Maybe more.

**skipmac** · 08-08-2011, 18:05

Depending on the route taken, the longest non stop passage will be around 3000 nm. With reserves about 4500nm range is a ball park.

DeepFrz · 08-08-2011, 18:15

Check out the blog of Egret on the Nordhavn website. Scott often talks about fuel range. He was sweating it coming back to NA from the Med. but it was because he underestimated some currents.

He goes into great detail on fuel requirements on his preparation to cross the Pacific, from Chili to NZ with a couple of fuel stops in between.

Lexam · 08-08-2011, 18:31

Thanks guys, I'll check out his blog. This is considering you can make as many stops as needed, money is not a consideration etc.

DeepFrz · 08-08-2011, 18:42

Also, check out this thread, we just discussed this a week or so ago.
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ble-64639.html

lorenzo b · 09-08-2011, 09:07

If you want to cross oceans, get Beebe's Voyaging Under Power.
He explains it all.

clockwork orange · 09-08-2011, 09:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by lorenzo b

If you want to cross oceans, get Beebe's Voyaging Under Power.
He explains it all.

Agreed,best book ive ever read on the subject,and im a sailboater.
Steve.

navigator54 · 12-08-2011, 20:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lexam

Searched and couldn't seem to find the answer. (Either I have weird questions or I'm a bad searcher) What is the minimum range for a Motor Yacht to be able to circumnavigate the globe?

Theoretically at least, by hugging the coastlines via the high latitudes a range of 1000nm could do it assuming you can get a permit to stop in Kamchatka. The problem at the moment is the horn of Africa so if you don't want to risk that then the detour means you go around the Cape of Good Hope then hopping across the Indian Ocean heading towards India/Sri Lanka. While the distances between the islands is still within that range, fuel supplies become an issue.

Randal Johnson · 12-08-2011, 21:39

My Diesel Duck 462 holds 2,000 gallons of fuel, burns 1.6 GPH at 6.5 knots under ideal conditions, and has a range of over 8,000 NM using those figures. The biggest benefit in that much fuel capacity is being able to wait out fluctuations in the market or locations and buy cheaper fuel.
We are in the Med now with 1200 gallons and shouldn't have to buy fuel for a year or two.
I have had a small amount of sludge show up in my GCF and am currently looking for some biocide to prevent it; the downside of large capacities.
On a low latitude circumnavigation there will be some passages over 2,000 NM I'm sure, especially in the Pacific. From Bermuda to the Azores in the Atlantic is 1835 NM.

**Adelie** · 12-08-2011, 22:43

With a a range of 2000mi plus reserves it should be doable.

In the Indian the longest passage would be Maldives to Seychelles 1380mi which takes you towards the south end of Africa.

In the Atlantic the biggest leg is Liberia to Natal Brazil 1900mi unless you want to go way up north and cross UK, Iceland, Greenland Canada, which would be shorter.

If you go around Cape Horn there might be some long legs in Chile going north up the coast. Otherwise, transit the Panama Canal.

Crossing the Pacific there are 2 options, West coast, Hawai'i, Samoa, then misc others not so far
San Diego to Hilo 2500mi
Hawaii to Samoa 2600

Or over the top, US, Canada, Alaska, Aleutians, Japan, Taiwan, Philippines, Malasia, Thailand, Sri Lanka/India, Maldives
Aleutians to Hokkaido 1500-2000 being the longest leg and exact distance depending on where the last available fuel is in the Aleutians.

TeddyDiver · 13-08-2011, 01:00

With too limited fuel reserve one is forced to get filled in remote places where, in addition of the high prices, the fuel is most often somewhat contaminated.

**Adelie** · 13-08-2011, 08:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by TeddyDiver

With too limited fuel reserve one is forced to get filled in remote places where, in addition of the high prices, the fuel is most often somewhat contaminated.

That is true, however there are two alternative considerations:
1) Does the higher fuel prices adaquately offset the price differential of different boat?
2) Is the fuel likely to be so contaminated as to render inadaquate prefiltering before it goes into tanks and primary and secondary filtering on the way to the engines?

It is possible to increase range with fuel bladders. Which can be had for about $1-2/gallon capacity.

alohaboat · 14-08-2011, 09:59

My trawler carries 700g of fuel. I burn 1.25 gph at 1600RPM (7.5 knots) or 6 nmpg at that speed. Therefore I have a theoretical range of 4200 nm. But I always maintain a minimum reserve of 15% at end of a leg, so a realistic range of about 3500 nm. If I slow down, I can extend my range.

The longest necessary open ocean passage in a circumnavigation is the leg from California to Hawaii, about 2200 nm. So you should figure how many gallons it will take you to go that distance depending on your boat of choice, and then add 20 to 25% to those gallons for necessary reserves. Yes, you can do it with less range by coastal cruising but that scenario presents a whole 'nother set of problems.

A Willard 36 made the passage from California to Hawaii and then back again in the early '80's. He carried reserve fuel on deck in bladders but didn't have to use it on either leg. Used Willard 36's in reasonable shape can be purchased under $100K today.