Dangerous thing

[Tingum]

What is the most dangerous thing to have on a boat? A crew member with a schedule! Just heard this from a newly arrived cruiser in Abaco.

[zeehag]

schedules cause shipwreck and other fun.

[boatman61]

An 'Experienced Owner' with a schedule...
Why do they always assume a multi ocean trip can be calculated by hull speed...

[LakeSuperior]

Originally Posted by boatman61

An 'Experienced Owner' with a schedule...
Why do they always assume a multi ocean trip can be calculated by hull speed...

Because it's the zero order estimate that can be made in about two minutes. To get to first, second, and third order takes progressively more and more time and resources for the estimates.

If you're an owner hiring a captain why go through all that work? The higher order estimates are the captain's job.

[perchance]

The loose nut behind the wheel?

[captain58sailin]

During the last delivery, the company wanted us to be in no later than the 4th, due to sea conditions we arrived @ mid night on the 8th, we had all the horsepower, a big boat, fuel, water, and food. Due to sea conditions there was no way we were going to make that schedule, would have beaten the boat, and crew apart. I will do what I can, but not at the cost of safety, I don't care who you are.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by captain58sailin

During the last delivery, the company wanted us to be in no later than the 4th, due to sea conditions we arrived @ mid night on the 8th, we had all the horsepower, a big boat, fuel, water, and food. Due to sea conditions there was no way we were going to make that schedule, would have beaten the boat, and crew apart. I will do what I can, but not at the cost of safety, I don't care who you are.

[zeehag]

i calculate average sog as 2-3 kts.
i can usually achieve that. most of time

anything faster than that is gravy.

[capt-couillon]

Most dangerous thing on a (cruising) boat...

A watch, and a calendar

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by perchance

The loose nut behind the wheel?

Don't let the nut holding the wheel get tight.

[Tortuga's Lie]

Originally Posted by zeehag

i calculate average sog as 2-3 kts.
i can usually achieve that. most of time

anything faster than that is gravy.

Zee, you must be dragging a coral reef!

[avb3]

I have found on passages I make in the area I sail that using 66% of hull speed as a rule of thumb does reasonably well in calculating time, and adds a layer of fudge factor.

What do others do?

[tomfl]

Originally Posted by zeehag

i calculate average sog as 2-3 kts.
i can usually achieve that. most of time

anything faster than that is gravy.

I have a reasonably fast cruising cat and at the first of the new year I check the odometer (a fairly nice if not brand new Garmin). I am careful about weather windows and seldom go to windward and while I single hand I also have an auto pilot. Last year I averaged 4.8 knts total average and 5.5 knts moving average.

link

[Hud3]

I kept a hand-held GPS going on all my passages, and so was able to measure the actual average speed, which turned out to be 80% of hull speed. We would crank up the engine when the wind died off and we dropped below 3.5 to 4 knots, and motor at about 5 knots to conserve fuel. I used 75% of hull speed for passage planning purposes.

[Hard Rock Candy]

My boats name was Slo-N-EZ. I am retired and like to be comfortable. sometimes I was going backwards. My fastest speed with the diesel on, was 6 KNOTs.. The worst trip I ever had was when I promised to pick up my lady friend at the Cancun airport on a certain date and it was stormy and I had to go anyway. Solo, from FT> Myers.. Baaaaa. Mac