Action
Guru
- Joined
- Mar 13, 2015
- Messages
- 679
- Location
- Phoenix, AZ USA
- Vessel Name
- Enigma
- Vessel Make
- 1997 Wellcraft Excel 26 SE
Thanks for the reply. I bet the green has a lot to do with performance too!
What kind of hp would be necessary to go North from the Gulf?
Or is it just better to go down stream?
Where else would one encounter a current of significance that could not be waited out, like a tide?
I have twin Cummins 330hp that I run at 1800-2000rpm when heading to Catalina. The last 15 minutes of the 2 way trip I run at 2400-2600 to help keep injectors clean.
Your last sentence is interesting because the genera rule I learned from my naval architecture class for powering heavy displacement commercial vessels is cruise speed at 80% power.
I prescribe to that, but very few here on the TF do.
I reliably get 1.75 NMPG at 7-8 knots and really like the ability to cruise at 15 knots when need be, for example to make port or an anchorage before dark.
So each of your engines is running at about 40hp. That’s barely idle speed. Are you reaching operating oil temperature - do you run up your engines hard every few hours?
Those engines, and most since, have coolant/oil heat exchangers. So at prolonged low output oil temperature gets up to at least coolant temps. I think it's a non issue then.So each of your engines is running at about 40hp. That’s barely idle speed. Are you reaching operating oil temperature - do you run up your engines hard every few hours?
In looking at "trawler" yachts for sale there seems to be a fairly wide range of engine HP choices. Not that one has a lot of choice in the used boat market.
What I don't exactly understand is twin engine HP ranges from 300 to maybe 800+. And I assume most of these hulls are semi-displacement hulls.
What possible use is 700hp twins in say a 42' aft cabin?
To move that type of yacht 8 to 10 kts, isn't 500 hp or less sufficient?
Twin 120HP are more than sufficient if you are not trying to plane your condo.
You said at the beginning you didn't want to go fast.
Actually, a single would be what I would really want. That power choice would take out half of the maintenance and engine parts & labor required. Sadly a single diesel is an extremely rare thing in a 40 to 45 foot aft cabin.
Correct and that is still my position.
Sadly a single diesel is an extremely rare thing in a 40 to 45 foot aft cabin.
Action
What is your budget?
Are you looking for a fixer upper?
If a fixer upper do you have relevant skills?
What are your cruising plans?
Where will your boat be moored?
How many miles per year are you anticipating?
Lastly, if you had the funds would you buy a Nordhavn 41?