Fuel requirements

[davidpm]

Looks like I will be helping move a catalina 25 about 80 miles.
It has an almost 10 HP 2 cycle outboard.
Needless to say I expect to sail as much as possible but to be safe I like to carry enough fuel to motor the trip since it is a move not a pleasure sail.
1. Do you figure an average of 4 knots makes sense for this boat?
2. How many miles per gallon do you think would be a good average?

This is from RI to CT through the race and the LI Sound so catching the race right is essential of course.
We will probably do an all nighter due to scheduling and cars etc.
If it does take 20 hours that's quite a few tide changes so I if I can only push the boat at 4 knots and the tide is 2 the wrong way I'll be going pretty slow. Hopefully the 6 knots the other way will make the average work out ok.

I've done this trip several times last year but this is my first with an outboard.
Anything else I should know?

[JimsCAL]

You should be able to motor at 5 knots though the water, so your 4 knot average seems reasonable. I would guess the fuel consumption at 1/2 to 3/4 of a gallon an hour. Are you going to do it non-stop or anchor overnight? Have you considered going through the Watch Hill Passage? Currents that way are a bit less and you have the option to anchor in Stonington and get some sleep while you wait for the current to turn.

[Minnewaska]

As you know, the engine doesn't know or care how many miles you've covered. It only knows how long its been running. If you have the time, I would fill the tank and motor at cruise speed for an hour or two, then refill and calculate the fuel burn.

Your 4 knot estimate through the water is reasonable, but that will be affected by at least 1 knot +/- due to current in that area. That isn't enough to really get my attention, unless you are trying to plan fuel to the drop.

[SlowButSteady]

A 10hp 2-stroke outboard should burn about 1 gal/hr. At 4 kts, you're talking about 20 hrs of motoring or 20 gallons if you motored the whole way. Given that there are harbors (i.e., fuel stops) available along the way, and you should be able to sail at least part of the time, I would take 10 gallons of fuel and see how it goes. If you have to motor a lot, find a fuel dock.

[tommays]

Stevens Maritime Center: Urban Ocean Observatory

I use to keep 12 gallons (2 X 6) on the J24 when I kept it out in Greenport and if you study the Stevens forecast which is REAL you will see the fultity of trying to travel against the current

[CalebD]

Never forget that it is a 2 cycle engine and needs 2 cycle oil added into the fuel - don't ask how I know this, D'oh! 2 cycle oil goes a long way at something like a 50:1 mix ratio of fuel to oil but make sure to have an extra bottle or two before leaving.

Extra water pump impeller and tools to replace it.

I know you already know this but if the Sound/Race gets a bit bouncy watch for the outboard cavitating in the waves.

What is it with you and Catalinas? Seems to be your niche.

[RobGallagher]

I second the idea of going through Watch Hill Pass.
Reasons, some of these where covered already, but I will embellish;
1. The conditions going through the race can be a non-issue or hell. Dead calm on the East end of Fishers Island and the West end can be blowing 25 with 4 foot standing waves in the race. What's going on outside the race has little to do with what is happening in it and you won't see the how the wind can light up till you get there.
2. You won't have to deal with BIG commercial traffic going through Watch Hill Passage. Tankers pass through the race regularly.
3. Gives several options to rest, repair or fuel I would also recommend Noank as a stop over. There is no real anchorage in Stonington.
4. If you hit a snag and don't time the race properly there is a very real chance that you will have to wait it out as you motor backwards. If you miss the current at Watch Hill you will most probably still be OK, just slow going.
5. You can wave to my boat as you travel past Noank.

[fallard]

The rule of thumb for 2 stroke outboards is 1 gal/hr for every 10 applied horsepower. I doubt you'd be running wide open throttle if the bottom is clean. My guess is that you'd be getting about 4 mpg THROUGH THE WATER.

Your strategy ought to include the tidal currents. Do yourself a favor and get the 2011 Eldridge Tide and Pilot Book and read page 85 about timing your trip by the turn of current at the Race to hold a fair current to eastern Long Island. Follow the advice and the Race will not be a problem and you will make reasonable time getting from RI past New London. I would take Watch Hill Passage, but be warned about the Clumps, which are marked by buoys, in Fishers Island Sound. If you follow the advice in Eldridge's, the water will be moving in your direction at an average of 1.5 kts, and you'll get about 6mpg over the bottom until you pass New London. If you get the current entirely wrong, you'll get about 2 mpg over the bottom and it will take that much longer to get to Long Island Sound.

You can stop over at Stonington, which does have an anchorage inside the inner breakwater, but East Harbor and West Harbor on Fishers Island are also options. Noank Shipyard would be a convenient fuel stop and you might even get some fried clams at Costello's there.

Can't say this strongly enough: play the currents by Eldridge's and make sure you have a chart for Fishers Island Sound.

[delite]

Our 9.9 hp 4 stroke on a Catalina 27 burns about 1/2 to 3/4 gal hour and will push us along at about 6knt quite easily in calm seas. Watch for tides as I have found I dont have enough horse power to make it thru some narrows when going against the tide.

[davidpm]

Thank you all. Thanks for the stop recommendations but there is a high probability it will be a straight run. I'll probably split the difference and bring 15 gal plus appropriate oil which I would have to be completely becalmed and against tide for the whole time to use up according to the above usage numbers.