Gulf crossing

[imiller]

Has anyone traveled across the Gulf of Mexico from Carrabelle, Fl to Tarpon Springs in an R29 Ranger. I’m concerned about fuel consumption for the trip. My full fuel load is 150 gallons.

 

[ripp]

Hi,

We crossed the gulf on Jan 16, 2019 from Carrabelle to Tarpon in our 2017 R29CB - 300 hp Volvo.

Seas were 2 to 3 ft occasional 4 ft. Winds were 10-15 knots from NE - hitting port stern quarter.
Departed Carrabelle 0700 hrs arrived Tarpon 1700 hrs
Total Fuel Consumed 118 gals

I wasn’t certain about fuel consumption so I topped up the tank by filling manually using a 5 gallon fuel can and was able to put an additional 5 gallons in. Also carried a full 5 gallon can. In the end we had 27 gallons remaining in the fuel + 5 gallon can and we could have always slow down (we did in 10 hours) and consume less fuel but then would be coming into Tarpon in the dark.

If I did it again I would just make sure I topped my tank up fully and then monitor consumption and adjust speed if really necessary.

Good luck!

Peter

 

[imiller]

Thanks for your response. Sounds like we should be fine with 150 gallons fuel. We’ll be traveling with 2 other boats at a slower speed which should help fuel consumption.

 

[BB marine]

Hi,

We crossed the gulf on Jan 16, 2019 from Carrabelle to Tarpon in our 2017 R29CB - 300 hp Volvo.

Seas were 2 to 3 ft occasional 4 ft. Winds were 10-15 knots from NE - hitting port stern quarter.
Departed Carrabelle 0700 hrs arrived Tarpon 1700 hrs
Total Fuel Consumed 118 gals

I wasn’t certain about fuel consumption so I topped up the tank by filling manually using a 5 gallon fuel can and was able to put an additional 5 gallons in. Also carried a full 5 gallon can. In the end we had 27 gallons remaining in the fuel + 5 gallon can and we could have always slow down (we did in 10 hours) and consume less fuel but then would be coming into Tarpon in the dark.

If I did it again I would just make sure I topped my tank up fully and then monitor consumption and adjust speed if really necessary.

Good luck!

Peter

Good information, do you have a log of that trip. I'm planning the crossing in the fall. I do not want to do the overnight trip. I'm not sure my fuel capacity is sufficient cruising at 14 to 15 kts. 90 gallons of usable fuel from tanks. I have 2, 7.5 gallon yellow Flo-Fast cans total fuel 105 gallons. 14Kts the engine burns 9 gph 1.8 mpg. What was the total route cruising miles and logged mpg? We may elect to do the Big Ben route because of fuel restraints at higher cruise speeds.

 

[ripp]

Hi Brian,

Unfortunately I don’t have the electronic log anymore. My recollection is it was 175 miles dock to dock. That will be close. If I were to do it again I would probably consider taking the big bend route as well. We had a favourable weather window and it looked like we might not see another one for awhile so we went direct. I was a little concerned if the weather kicked up we would burn more fuel and have to go slower (and a less comfortable ride) and be out in the rough stuff longer. The total of 33 gallons seems like sufficient reserve but I have found you can burn through that reserve pretty quickly when conditions change unfavourably.

Peter

 

[Cutwater28GG]

perhaps a bladder would appease the fears?

http://atlfuelbladders.com/shop-for-atl-petro-flex/

inspiration from MV dirona (albeit on a little larger scale 😀 ) https://mvdirona.com/2012/12/fuel-for-the-crossing/

diesel is 7.1lbs per gallon. so a 50 gallon unit would be 355lbs in the cockpit!

 

[Jrando305]

Just brought my C28 back from Perdido key. The route was to Destin, Apalachicola, Crystal River,Clearwater, Englewood, Marco island and then into Key Largo. Leaving East pass I went out into the gulf in very calm seas to Crystal River burning a total of 78 gal. That in my opinion was cutting it a little to close, I was running 18 knots most of the day, the 28 only carries 100 gal so in the future any long run like that will most likely see me bringing extra fuel

 

[BB marine]

Just brought my C28 back from Perdido key. The route was to Destin, Apalachicola, Crystal River,Clearwater, Englewood, Marco island and then into Key Largo. Leaving East pass I went out into the gulf in very calm seas to Crystal River burning a total of 78 gal. That in my opinion was cutting it a little to close, I was running 18 knots most of the day, the 28 only carries 100 gal so in the future any long run like that will most likely see me bringing extra fuel

Do you know how many miles dock to dock your trip was from Carrbelle to Crystal River?
I can route the trip easily enough Carrabelle to Crystal River. I like to hear or see as done to compare. The trip you took is another option which reduces one leg of the Big Bend. As you stated burning 78 gallons of 90 gallons usable fuel is cutting it close but it works. Disturbed sea's would have probably put my boat at running out of fuel. The C28 and C26 have close to the same fuel range or MPG. The C28 has a 2 to 3 Kt higher cruise speed though. From 12 Kts to 16 kts the MPG ranges from 1.70 to 2.0 MPG depending on how the boat is loaded and sea conditions. I use 1.8 MPG when I figure fuel needed for a trip. I don't usually run above 16kts for long periods of time because it is above 80% load on the D3. When running 16 kts to Max 19kts the fuel MPG is still in the same range. The C 26 has a 80 gallon tank. The tank's design and installation doesn't allow for full capacity .The most I have ever got in it is 78 gallons filling from a completely dry tank. The pickup is an inch off the bottom so I measured 6 gallons unusable. I can figure 72 gallons ( 10% theory is accurate for this application) of usable fuel with a known full tank of fuel. (This takes a while at the fuel dock to achieve). I added a 25 gallon auxiliary tank that I can transfer fuel to my main tank which really only transfers 20 gallons because of tank and install configurations. I use 90 gallons has my usable fuel to be on the conservative side although I don't want to get that low. When planning an open water trip 80 gallons usable fuel is my range. When doing this I will carry (2) 7.5 gallon yellow Flo-fast jugs for insurance. I have never done the Gulf crossing trip but I have read many blogs with Pro's and Con's of Big bend route. Mostly available weather window to complete the trip without delays is limited. When I see a post about this trip it gets my attention.

 

[Jrando305]

The trip from Apalachicola to twin river marina in Crystal River was 150 nautical miles. That was leaving the dock at Scipio marina running out to government cut, but I did not feel comfortable navigating that channel due to the shoals. Went back to the ICW and ran the additional 15 miles to East pass which is very close to Carrabelle. If I had more daylight I would have skipped Apalachicola and gone to Carrabelle. This would have shaved apx 15-20 NM off the 150 total. You also have to go up the river apx 3 NM to twin river marina, which I would not recommend if you wanted anything but fuel and a place to dock. So that being said if you left from Carrabelle it would be 135 nautical miles. Also the weather was awesome with the biggest seas being less than 2 ft but mostly 1

 

[imiller]

Completed crossing...2/19

Left Carrabelle 1600 hours; sun shine
150 gallons of diesel

Sea was rough (2‘ to 3’) to calm in early hours
Night was clear with incredible star canopy too very heavy fog

Arrived at Tarpon Springs City Martina, 1330
Burned less than 1/2 tank of diesel

A great adventure

 

[BB marine]

Thanks for the info. I wish I had the nerve for the over night run. The fuel consumption is much less so it takes that element of anxiety away. The Fluid motion designed boats for their size handle moderate sea conditions quite well. Anything more than that could be very uncomfortable. The 29' having the extra beam and weight increases its sea handling characteristics for beam sea's or really any sea's compared to a 8.6' beam boat and 3000lbs lighter hull. With the right weather window it would be ok but there are no guarantees. I suppose if I was doing it with a buddy boat there would be a sense of security but really the no difference in comfort. If it got rough it would be two boats having an uncomfortable night crossing. Congrats on completing your Gulf Crossing adventure.