Pacific Challenge

[crowleykirk]

Does anyone know if a Ranger Tug or Cutwater has attempted or completed the Pacific Challenge?

I'd love to read about and know all the details if they have done it, especially in a Ranger Tug.

Thank you and happy sailing,

Kirk

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

Kirk:

For those of us that are not aware of what the Pacific Challenge is would you be kind enough to give us a short description?

Thanks,

Jim

 

[Kimberly Dawn]

Well, I was curious... so I Googled it. Here's the results:

In response to a challenge issued by Pacific Yachting magazine, a father/son team step up to circumnavigate Vancouver Island. Larry and Nick Graf made the voyage on June 20, 2014 in a 32' Aspen Powercatamaran, leaving from Victoria. It is a non-stop, no-refuel (other than what you can carry onboard) event, which took 47 hours 5 minutes. Their route was 641 miles, burned 267 gallons of gas, averaging 5.6 gallons per hour (excuse me while I sit down and hyperventilate) at cruising speed. Wow!


Bob & Kim
The Doghouse 2

 

[baz]

The west side of Vancouver Island is open to a lot of weather conditions for sure. Doing that 641 mile cruise without stopping for fuel is a REAL challenge for sure.

In order to do this in my R-27/OB with its 150 gallon tank I'd have run the engine at 1500 rpm and motor at no more than 7 mph. This would allow a burn rate of approximately 4.3 gallons per hour, and would take approximately 92 hrs no-stop.

If I could place an auxiliary fuel tank in the center cockpit storage area to hold 150 gallons then I would have 300 gallons onboard and with calm seas I suppose I could run at 30 mph burning some 15 gallons per hour and cover the 641 miles in 22 hours and burn some 320 gallons of fuel. :lol:

 

[asm777]

https://www.seamagazine.com/pacific-yac ... challenge/

"Pacific Yachting’s Pacific Challenge 30-foot category allows for one fuel stop"

Go for it baz! =)

 

[crowleykirk]

Kirk:

For those of us that are not aware of what the Pacific Challenge is would you be kind enough to give us a short description?

Thanks,

Jim

Sorry about that guys, I was gone for a bit. But yes, that's the Pacific Challenge. I didn't want to bring up the fact that Aspen has done it specifically, just that I thought it is a very interesting challenge and would be curious to see results from Ranger Tugs and other manufacturers.

Seems like a very good test of a boat and if I was a builder and my boat was capable is an excellent way to show the world and market your product at the same time.

Take care,
Kirk

 

[crowleykirk]

As an ex motocross racer and test rider for Yamaha and a certified yacht diesel mechanic when I was young, these kind of things really interest me. I love endurance and test numbers. We will be sea trialing some boats next year with Ranger at the top of our list, but I feel I must do my due diligence and check out and Aspen as well. Be a good comparison back to back.

I just love to see some other builders step up to the plate.

All the best,
Kirk

 

[crowleykirk]

The west side of Vancouver Island is open to a lot of weather conditions for sure. Doing that 641 mile cruise without stopping for fuel is a REAL challenge for sure.

In order to do this in my R-27/OB with its 150 gallon tank I'd have run the engine at 1500 rpm and motor at no more than 7 mph. This would allow a burn rate of approximately 4.3 gallons per hour, and would take approximately 92 hrs no-stop.

If I could place an auxiliary fuel tank in the center cockpit storage area to hold 150 gallons then I would have 300 gallons onboard and with calm seas I suppose I could run at 30 mph burning some 15 gallons per hour and cover the 641 miles in 22 hours and burn some 320 gallons of fuel. :lol:

Hello🙂
If you read about the actual trip you are allowed one fuel stop or you can bring fuel. The Aspen has an auxiliary tank installed and they refueled while underway. The challenge isn't necessarily about the fuel mileage. I think it's a great challenge to other builders to just complete it. The Aspen completed as well as another CAT, probably safety in numbers.
Anyway.... just thought it was very interesting🙂

 

[Todd2]

I saw a video awhile back of the Aspen making that run. They "refueled" from their HUGE aux. tank mounted in the cockpit while underway (no fuel stops) - if I remember correctly. (If I'm wrong - jump me kindly.) One guy went into the v-berth and got seasick and was puking in a bucket - it sure looked rough! LOL

I too enjoyed a challenge, or two, when younger - completed the Bun Burner Gold (and have the 'designer' license plate to prove it) - fully documented 1500 miles in 24 hours on two wheels. Had an overall average of 2 minutes extra per hour. How's that for planning? Great fun! 😀 Can't wait to retire.

Todd

EDIT: No riding over the speed limit. Crotch rockets can just kill that time.

 

[crowleykirk]

Hey Todd, a fellow 2 wheeler🙂 Sounds like you've had some fun.
My wife retired last year and I'm pretty much there but still doing some work.
We're in our mid 50's so trying hard to live the dream🙂
Still family etc... taking lots of time. The boating adventures get underway within a couple years... at least that's the plan.

I had some pretty severe injuries during my racing career so that's one reason we want to get started, most likely I'll be home bound in 10 to 15 years. But anyway... it's all good🙂

I thought I read there was another Cat that made the trip with the Aspen team and they were allowed a fuel stop. Maybe they weren't actually playing by the rules and it was considered a safety boat. I'd have to go back and read that. Either way, very impressive and great for marketing your brand. We really love the Aspen C100 just can't get there at price. For now we are looking at a 27 Ranger to start with and see how that goes. I'd rather buy a used boat slightly used, but would be nice to purchase new, just so pricey. And I'm just not yet sure of diesel or outboard. Diesel has always been my only option but now you can't get a new 27 with a diesel. So the research continues. Either way we are hoping for a purchase next year, 2019 if all goes as planned.

Hope to see some of you on the water one day. Our big dream is lean the San Juan and Vancouver waters for a couple years etc.... and then head up into Alaska if we feel we are confident and have acquired the necessary skills.

Peace🙂