1flcheesehead
Cadet
- Joined
- Nov 25, 2010
- Messages
- 19
We took our new (to us) 2001 Wellcraft 2800 Martinique from Apollo Beach for a few nights at Caladesi Island (about 55 miles away). Being new to cruisers, I had alot of concerns and unanswered questions. This trip helped shake some things out. I thought I would share some basic things I learned along the way:
-we achieved about 1.6 MPG (it has twin 2001 Mercruiser 4.3 EFIs). This was the average over the course of the trip. We generally cruised at about 3700 RPMS at 32MPH and had a full load
-on the way to the island when we had a full tank of gas and all the provisions, we needed to run at 33 MPH to stay on plane, returning we could stay on plane at 29. Maybe slight wind, tide and water conditions played a role, but I am sure being hundreds of pounds lighter helped.
-when motoring at no wake speed, the boat can wander side to side (similar to a single engine) from one engine being trimmed different than the other (my boat does not have synchronizers either, so rpms would obviously do it too)
-a small oscillating (desk) fan goes a long way to evenly distribute the Air Conditioning
-a zip lock bag half filled with water and stuck in the top shelf of the fridge is a great way to make ice
-pay attention to your shallow water alert on the GPS
-insist people who "think" they might need Dramamine take it
-emptying the gray water tank can remove the list that gradually developed over time
-emptying unneeded water from the fresh water tank can compensate for the newly emptied gray water tank
Unanswered questions that I must research:
-if I install all my isinglass, can my Air Conditioning take care of above and below deck?
-why does my vacuflush toilet now cycle every 10 minutes?
-my water heater is inconsistent, why?
-what the heck does the circuit breaker labeled 'Ice Maker' go to?
-how in the wide world of sports does one use trim tabs?
-where is the best place for one to sit who is prone to motion sickness?
For those of you in the area, Caladesi seems to have taken a bit of a beating from Debby. It is still worth the trip though.
Happy boating!
-we achieved about 1.6 MPG (it has twin 2001 Mercruiser 4.3 EFIs). This was the average over the course of the trip. We generally cruised at about 3700 RPMS at 32MPH and had a full load
-on the way to the island when we had a full tank of gas and all the provisions, we needed to run at 33 MPH to stay on plane, returning we could stay on plane at 29. Maybe slight wind, tide and water conditions played a role, but I am sure being hundreds of pounds lighter helped.
-when motoring at no wake speed, the boat can wander side to side (similar to a single engine) from one engine being trimmed different than the other (my boat does not have synchronizers either, so rpms would obviously do it too)
-a small oscillating (desk) fan goes a long way to evenly distribute the Air Conditioning
-a zip lock bag half filled with water and stuck in the top shelf of the fridge is a great way to make ice
-pay attention to your shallow water alert on the GPS
-insist people who "think" they might need Dramamine take it
-emptying the gray water tank can remove the list that gradually developed over time
-emptying unneeded water from the fresh water tank can compensate for the newly emptied gray water tank
Unanswered questions that I must research:
-if I install all my isinglass, can my Air Conditioning take care of above and below deck?
-why does my vacuflush toilet now cycle every 10 minutes?
-my water heater is inconsistent, why?
-what the heck does the circuit breaker labeled 'Ice Maker' go to?
-how in the wide world of sports does one use trim tabs?
-where is the best place for one to sit who is prone to motion sickness?
For those of you in the area, Caladesi seems to have taken a bit of a beating from Debby. It is still worth the trip though.
Happy boating!