26' Wellcraft on ocean

[SamuelP]

Always been on the OH R. Cabin cruiser w/one 350 and gen 1 drive ------ about traveling on the ocean from New Orleans to Belize? Can you do it? Next; can I? Or; trade up to larger boat. Help, suggestions, advise: all appreciated. Thanks.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: 26' Wellcraft on ocean

First off, welcome aboard. Secondly, how much experience do you have?

Can I do it? - wouldn't even try. Can you do it? - Sure. Should you do it? Need a lot more info. Boat condition, planned route, updated will filed, etc.

 

[SamuelP]

Re: 26' Wellcraft on ocean

First off, welcome aboard. Secondly, how much experience do you have?

Can I do it? - wouldn't even try. Can you do it? - Sure. Should you do it? Need a lot more info. Boat condition, planned route, updated will filed, etc.

Boat = good. It's an '88, but looks almost new. Have boated on Chesapeake bay in 17' runabout and got beat to death 30 yrs ago. On OH R; always sleep on boat when the weather is rough or storming.

Generally if the water is wavy (3 ft or so) I just go slow and head into them as much as I can. Will beach or run-a-ground if going gets too bad (always head for shallow water).

But ocean; unknown for me.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: 26' Wellcraft on ocean

26 foot boat is a bit small for extended ocean travel

How good a skipper are you?

 

[JoLin]

Re: 26' Wellcraft on ocean

Too many unknowns. How numerous are marinas and fuel docks along your planned route. How big is the fuel tank on the boat?

Do you plan to travel in short daily 'hops', and only when the forecast is picture-perfect? If the answers are 'yes' and you were running a 26' Bertram or Blackfin it might make sense. I wouldn't try it in an express cruiser. Very few are made for ocean running, and I don't see anything in Wellcraft's 1988 line near that size that I'd deem suitable for long-distance ocean travel.

I sure as heck wouldn't try it in my boat.

Bowrider Fishing Boat | resources | Wellcraft

My .02

 

[agallant80]

Re: 26' Wellcraft on ocean

You will have to stay coastal so you can fill up, which you will have to do every day, perhaps twice a day. Just drawing crude lines on the plotter without getting to any detail you are talking a trip over 2,000NM. If you do 20NM on average, burning 14/gal an hour you are talking about 1,400 gallons in fuel at $4/gal you are looking at $5,600 one way; so to get there and back you will be at least $12,000 in fuel. There is a reason why people who cruise like this have sail boats. I don't know anyone in their right mind that would take a 25 year old pocket cruiser on a trip like this. It would make for a great adventure if you did though. If you want to do something like this then learn to sail and trade up to a sail boat.

 

[mattsmall1972]

Re: 26' Wellcraft on ocean

Have you ever spent a day on the open water? That's hard enough as it is. I do it in a 19 foot deep-hull boat with an engine that was brand new when I bought it. Piloting to a destination that is a couple of thousand miles in a 25-year old boat away is scary. I don't think you can do it without the proper fuel and food, and I don't think you can carry enough unless you stay near shore the whole time. Might as well drive.

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: 26' Wellcraft on ocean

Would I take a trip like that- sure. Would I do it in my boat no. Would I do it in your boat- no. I ran from the Keys to the islands several times in a 20'er but that is all I'd do in your boat. You need more beam and LOA to start. Doubt your fuel tank will offer a margin of safety. Wellcraft makes a good boat but yours is not a model to consider that trip with. All the different laws, all the area without laws. Your experience level and how about that of 2nd in charge? Can you navigate without electronics?

 

[tpenfield]

Re: 26' Wellcraft on ocean

I'd do it in a big sailboat, but still follow the coast. That way if the weather gets nasty, you can duck into a harbor for safety.

 

[ThrottleBack]

Re: 26' Wellcraft on ocean

The fact that you have to ask should tell you that you are not ready for any kind of a trip like that. No offense I just can't see anyone with the experience to do that even considering that boat. I'm basing it on about 20 years on the atlantic. Even 40-50 miles out in a good storm can make you really appreciate Deadliest Catch.