Suitability of Defever-Type Trawler for Atlantic Crossing ?

[Blue Stocking]

A local friend has brought his DeFever 38 with 2 x 6-354 Perkins, and later a Monk 34 with 1 x 6-354 to Bermuda from Florida.
He is a very experienced ocean sailor and powerboatman.

[goboatingnow]

I suspect its substantially cheaper to use a dedicated yacht transport service then power across.


Dave

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by lorenzo b View Post
if you have not read Robert Beebe,s book on pasagemakers, you must. He relies on paravanes for stability on long crossings and recommends a single power plant. But please, get and read the whole book. It's the Bible.

can you give me the title of this book?
thanks

"Voyaging Under Power" by Robert P. Beebe & James F. Leishman
➥ Voyaging Under Power - Robert P. Beebe, James F. Leishman - Google Books

“Voyaging Under Power, 4th Edition (2013)“ by Robert P. Beebe & Denis Umstot
➥ Voyaging Under Power, 4th Edition - Robert P. Beebe, Denis Umstot - Google Books

➥ Voyaging Under Power, 4th Edition by Robert P. Beebe, Denis Umstot - 9780071767330 - 0071767339 | McGraw-Hill Ryerson > Professional

[bfloyd4445]

Originally Posted by Boracay

Haven't ever owned a trawler but when I was analyzing the feasibility of ocean crossing in a trawler the major limiting factor (other than fuel) was that all that I looked at (online) were old, and when I checked through a few blogs many needed a complete rebuild. Some had major structural problems.

And the cost difference between in water delivery and loading onto a cargo boat was not that large. Given the possibility of damage it might even be cheaper to engage one of the specialist firms to load, ship and unload the boat for you.

thats what many end up doing. But for a few with the time and fortitude they just have to go it on there own bottom. Like the couple doin the horn in a defever 40, that would be scary in the least but they did it anyway or the guy that crossed the pacific in his with a bunch of 55 gallon drums of d on deck......I tip my hat to all of those brave souls, the ones thqat made it and the ones that didnt.

[bfloyd4445]

Originally Posted by westsail374

Melting and Bfloyd the book you are thinking of is "Admiralty Ocean Passages for the World, 5 thEd." Lists for $190 or so. It has everything you want to know - ice hazard locations and seasons, swells, currents etc. Find one in a used book store - can't go wrong.

There is another "Ocean Passages and Landfalls" by Heikell and O'grady that costs$60 or so. I don't know it.

Good luck.

Thank you sir. I will see what i can find to add to my current collection and mountain of books

[Honey Ryder]

you can make some very strong storm boards out of polycarb which allows light through, also insulates, and is 250 times stronger than glass.

re biscay, it can go from flat to 75 foot waves in less than 12 hours. and the north sea can see very steep seas with not much length between wave tops.

make sure that you check the condition of the fuel tanks....any dirt in there and in big seas (guaranteed) you'll be changing a lot of filters...not too nice a job in rough conditions.

keep your fuel and air clean and a single diesel engine will get you where you want to go.

[Capt Phil]

The portuguese bridge on our DeFever 54 kept most of the breaking seas off the wheelhouse windows which were already formed of heavy safety glass. The salon windows had 5/8 " plywood covers with smaller holes cut in the center that we attached for offshore running. We hit a couple of seas of 30 ft or higher coming from PNW to San Diego and the DeFever handled them easily at conservative speed. As I recall, we ran about 7.5-8 knots burning 4 gph with twin Cat D330's, slower in a headon buck or confused seas. Very little gen set time as we had a cruising generator on the starboard engine which drove refer, 110 v power and charged up 12 and 24 volt systems. Fuel capacity was 1800 gal so a west coast to Hawaii or Trans-Atlantic crossing would need 500 gal bladder to provide necessary safety margin.
Defevers are soundly built, sea kindly lines that handle rough weather well and remain relatively dry and comfortable underway. They are roomy below making living aboard and passagemaking enjoyable.
We lived aboard for over 5 years, cruised about 6000 miles, much of it offshore, so she has my vote. PM me for further info. Phil

[bfloyd4445]

Originally Posted by Honey Ryder

you can make some very strong storm boards out of polycarb which allows light through, also insulates, and is 250 times stronger than glass.

re biscay, it can go from flat to 75 foot waves in less than 12 hours. and the north sea can see very steep seas with not much length between wave tops.

make sure that you check the condition of the fuel tanks....any dirt in there and in big seas (guaranteed) you'll be changing a lot of filters...not too nice a job in rough conditions.

keep your fuel and air clean and a single diesel engine will get you where you want to go.

Hey have you ever seen those huge whirlpool offshore bt Scotland? I have never seen anything like them before they could swallow a small craft in a second. At least they look like they could.

[bfloyd4445]

Originally Posted by Capt Phil

The portuguese bridge on our DeFever 54 kept most of the breaking seas off the wheelhouse windows which were already formed of heavy safety glass. The salon windows had 5/8 " plywood covers with smaller holes cut in the center that we attached for offshore running. We hit a couple of seas of 30 ft or higher coming from PNW to San Diego and the DeFever handled them easily at conservative speed. As I recall, we ran about 7.5-8 knots burning 4 gph with twin Cat D330's, slower in a headon buck or confused seas. Very little gen set time as we had a cruising generator on the starboard engine which drove refer, 110 v power and charged up 12 and 24 volt systems. Fuel capacity was 1800 gal so a west coast to Hawaii or Trans-Atlantic crossing would need 500 gal bladder to provide necessary safety margin.
Defevers are soundly built, sea kindly lines that handle rough weather well and remain relatively dry and comfortable underway. They are roomy below making living aboard and passagemaking enjoyable.
We lived aboard for over 5 years, cruised about 6000 miles, much of it offshore, so she has my vote. PM me for further info. Phil

I had thought of doing something similiar except out of osb board for saloon windows. Funny your the only one i have heard of ever doig such a thing on this forum

[Jrs1958]

Make sure you have stabilizers and window covers