R25SC. How seaworthy in high wind?

[davidludlow1]

This coming Monday I am sitting off on my first cruise in my new R25 SC. Eastham (cape cod) to Cuttyhunk, Block Island and back. I have considerable cruising experience in a Seaward 26 R/K and know it won't capsize if dragged into a broach with breaking waves entering an inlet. (Nauset Inlet to be exact.) Without a one-ton keel, would the R25 SC capsize if broad-sided with surf in an inlet?

Should I be nervous setting out in 15 MPH winds? My one time out of Nauset Inlet to the open sea with her was scary in low winds with waves crashing into the windshield! Maybe I just never sat so close to the action in my Seaward 26 R/K???

If I cruise at 14 knots, how far would I get with a full tank of gas?

Does anyone know if the solar panel that came with my boat is hard wired into the battery so it will get charged no matter what switches I turn off?

Whats the biggest appliance you successfully ran on that boats inverter? I was surprised to successfully use my soy milk maker!

Thanks,
david :roll:

 

[Brian B]

You have a very seaworthy boat but only you can make the decision as to the sea conditions you are comfortable with. I also have the 25SC. I have been in 5' seas at the SW Ledge off Block Island, I was comfortable with the conditions, can't say the same for my wife though. Two weeks ago we were crossing Cape Cod Bay from Provincetown to the Cape Cod Canal, 1' seas were forecasted, they were more like 4' seas from the N hitting us broadside. Not comfortable conditions but I was comfortable with the boats handling. At 14 knots you must be running full throttle. On my boat with the 150 Yanmar that's burning close to 8 gal per hour, my best cruise speed is 7.5 knots and will average about 3.2 NM per gal. 80% load on the turbo is around 10 KN. Your Garmin will give you your fuel burn rate so you can figure out your fuel economy.
Can't help with the inverter or solar questions.
We recently visited Cuttyhunk and we go to Block Island often, if you need any info on them let me know.

 

[knotflying]

The solar panel is wired to the batteries via a controller. It is all automated. As far as load on the inverter. It all depends on how many watts your inverter is and then do the math based on what you are using. DO NOT OVERLOAD THE INVERTER! When using the inverter, NEVER TURN ON THE WATER HEATER! NEVER TURN ON THE BATTERY CHARGER!
You are fairly new to your tug. Everyone has their personal limits. The truth of the matter is that the tug will take things better than you. Take the time to explore your limits and also take the time to read up on all the systems and how they work. It may save you hours of problems and trying to figure things out at the most inopportune time.