Cruising speeds and group travel

BaseCampAnne · Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 12:14 am Post subject: Cruising speeds and group travel

I am planning on going to 2-3 gatherings in May and wonder if there is a protocol or system of boats traveling together?

I am also curious if anyone knows an approximate speed for several boats going together?

Today I was averaging @1800 rpms? and am not clear how to figure how long it might take to get to Hartstene or Friday Harbor from Everett at that speed.

Thanks in advance,
Anne

Pat Anderson · Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 12:24 am Post subject:

Anne...not to belabor the obvious, but time = speed x distance! Do you have any trip planning software like RayTech Planner (free) or Coastal Explorer (spendy)? It will help you answer these questions...As far as boats traveling together, you just have to decide whether you want to keep up with the leader or hang back with some of us who like to go slower!

starcrafttom · Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 12:56 am Post subject:

just a quick look at the map shows 63 miles from Everett to Friday harbor. So 63 miles at 18mph is 3.5 hours. At 15mph is 4.3 hours. At 10 mph is 6.3 hours. Slow is ok if you have the time. I dont so its 18 mph or better. If I trailer up its 1 hour to the ramp 45min to get launched, parked, set and go. Then 27mile to Friday and 1.5 hours more. So 3.5 by boat or 3.25 by truck/boat.

Thats if I dont fish on the way. And please no fuel burn comparisons, I'm trying to have fun here.

chromer · Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 1:33 am Post subject:

Google Earth is a top choice of mine. I can ruler out a route quickly, I checked Tom, and got 68 miles Everett-Friday Harbor. My proposed route went from Everett north between Camano and Whidbey, up and out through Deception Pass, West to Cattle Pass and that way.

Larry H · Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 2:04 am Post subject:

Cattle Pass can have very rough conditions depending on tidal current.

An alternative is to go from Deception to Lopez Pass, then north past Spencer Spit, around Upright Head and then to Friday Harbor.

starcrafttom · Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 2:07 am Post subject:

thats the same way I went but I was using a map and these two legged thingys to measure with. Larry would be proud of me. I got 62 miles using ray planner just now.

JamesTXSD · Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 8:40 am Post subject:

Hi Anne,

Traveling with a group can be good or bad, depending on the group. You are responsible for yourself in any group outing, and shouldn't feel like you have to run any particular speed if you aren't comfortable with it. In a good group outing, you will have a departure time and a destination... then you make it work to get yourself there.

If you are following behind someone who consistently swerves back and forth, it can be uncomfortable due to their wake. I'm a "straight line" kinda guy, so in that case, I will break off from the group, do my own thing, and meet up at the destination. Sometimes the scenery is such that you just don't want to go fast. Or you might decide it's time to make lunch. Or the water is perfectly smooth and you want to run the throttle up.

Group travel can be really fun, with the commentary on the radio and the shared experience. Just keep in mind what feels best for you. Even running with a group, make sure you are doing your own navigation.

If you're running slow, it can feel like a parade... Joan has to keep on me constantly to keep me from getting on top of the boat and using my beauty-queen wave. Wink

Running flat out can be tougher because there is a lot of wake being tossed by all the boats. With most groups, a dynamic will be established, depending on the size/type of boats and the conditions.

Good luck and have fun!

Best wishes,
Jim B.

BaseCampAnne · Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 9:27 am Post subject: group travel

Thanks for the information and suggestions!

Anne

Captains Cat · Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 9:31 am Post subject:

Anne, keep in mind that the most economical fuel consumption (unless you're really crawling) occurs (usually) just after you come up on plane. On a 22, that's around 10-11 knots. That varies depending on load and whether you've got trim tabs/permatrims, etc. If you're going a long distance, and not in too much of a hurry that's a good speed for the group to travel at.

Charlie

mikeporterinmd · Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 10:40 am Post subject:

When cruising with boats that don't run the same speed, the faster boat
will often run on ahead and then wait for a bit, repeat. At least that's what
I've done or others have done for me. That way all boats can run at
their most efficient speed while still traveling as a group. The faster boats
will usually end up several miles ahead, and then wait until they are a few
miles behind the slower boats before starting again.

Mike

Pat Anderson · Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 10:53 am Post subject:

Yeah, what Jim said. Over time, smaller traveling groups form with those like Tom (Susan E) who always zoom ahead at 20 knots (knocks your fillings loose) [on edit - OK, 30 knots] in one group, and those like Brock (Bambina) who always mosey along at 10 knots in another [on edit - OK, 8 knots] , and the rest of us somewhere in-between. We all get to where we are going eventually and gather up for the merriment!

starcrafttom · Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 11:30 am Post subject:

brocks gotten to ten knots?????

Capn Jack · Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 11:42 am Post subject: My 2 Cents

Another thing to remember, if everyone gets to the dock (moorage,anchorage etc.) at the same time there is no one available to help us less experienced members secure our boats. Wink

Jack

Larry H · Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 1:20 pm Post subject:

Deception Pass,

This thread asked about going to Friday Harbor from Everett.

If folks are going thru Deception Pass here are the current predictions for Fri 5-16

Slack Max Speed Slack Max Speed Slack Max Speed
0811 1107 +6.0kts 1435 1711 -6.4kts 2032 2309 +5.2kts

Slack is the time when the current is still or reverses. Max is the time of maximum flow in knots and the + indicates flood current at maximum flow going toward the East. A - indicates the ebb current going toward the West.

These currents are fairly strong so the safest and smoothest time to transit during the day are at or near slack. That would be about 8:00am or 2:35pm.

The most difficult times would be 11:07am and 5:11pm.

Boaters experienced with Deception Pass go thru at almost any time, but beginners should go at slack for the first few times.

Here is a link to the NOAA current predictions;

http://www.co-ops.nos.noaa.gov/currents08/tab2pc2.html#120

These prediction tables can be printed to carry aboard.

starcrafttom · Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 1:21 pm Post subject:

Pat, 20 knots is not fast. It’s in the middle. 30 is fast and only for our boats. I run where I am comfortable and happy. 10 knots does not make me happy. It’s kind of irritating to tell you the truth. Unless I am exploring an island or bay it’s just too slow. A lot of time I am covering water I already know very well. You have to understand that most of my fishing buddies travel at 30 to 40 knots. If you’re not retired and need to get there and back or fishing a derby and have to get back for weight-in 15 knots does not cut it.