Auto pilot warning

hehehehe. I've run several sportfish that did 10-11 knots in gear at idle. I've sometimes put both in gear and straightened the rudders right before the bridge and drifted through a bridge in neutral, rather than running one in gear at 7.5-8 knots (idle) which may be too fast and then when you take it out of gear the boat turns as you center the rudders or have limited steering in one direction.

Thanks CaptJ, you beat me to it (I've been distracted boat shopping) ... yes we do 7.5 knots in idle, so yes I go through tight passages even against current/tide mostly out of gear.

BTW, have you looked at 72' and 80' Hatteras MY's in your boat shopping? They can be run slower and efficiently. I remember you mentioning a 76' Offshore.

Your boat should do about 10 knots with both in gear, and 7.5 on one engine??? I ran an older 54' Hatt SF with C30's and it did that......

I worked on a 75' Jim Smith SF back in 2004, and at 1200 RPM's we were doing 22 knots...the bow never raised....at 1000 rpms we were on plane........11 knots with both in gear at low idle.....8 knots with 1 in gear low idle........35 knots at 1950, 44 knots top.......50' tuna tower and all.

Amazing figures

No worries.


Use auto pilot, take a nap to the canyon.

Really, no trolling valves on those boats?

The best was the fuel consumption boat was 75' with 22' beam and 16v2000 2000hp at 1950 rpms, 150 gallons total at 35 knots. In comparison I ran a 61 Viking with C32 acerts, 34 knots cruise 140 gph. At 22 knots.....well the fuel economy was insane for a boat that size.

You can't use trolling valves going through a bridge or in most places on the ICW. If you have to go from foward to reverse it takes too long.

That must have been way back in the day...

Even new ones. For example with CAT trolling valves, you would need to bring both throttles/gears back to Neutral. Then press the trolling valve button on the helm panel, then go to reverse. Not exactly something you want to be doing while going through a bridge. Also keep in mind that you have no throttle with the trolling valves on, so if your emergency maneuvering involves the need for throttle you don't have any.

Whenever i need to go extra slow, whatever the reason, I just bump in and out of gear. I have low idle (550rpm) switches on th 3412Es I run and that gives about 5.8kts. If I need to go slower, I just bump in and out of gear as needed, no big deal.

I have faded on the idea of an Offshore. Nice boat but just not working for me. Also I worry about them rolling in big seas and at anchor. I stood on the flybridge on a 66 (identical to a 72, but without the cockpit) and was uneasy just how much she was moving. And that was in harbour.

Swapped back to looking at a Fleming 65. That is one very pretty boat.

I really like the Flemings and think they're the top boats in that class. I agree they're very pretty, but very high maintanence also between the woodwork, s/s and teak.....hehehe.....Take a look at a 72' Hatteras MY, not quite as pretty but much much larger than the Fleming class of MY's in interior volume and exterior.......But faster and good riding.....

Hi Liberty, First I've heard of you being in the market for a boat, whatever you decide on, based on your comments of too much movement even in the harbor, I would recommend looking below decks to make sure there's room to retrofit a Seakeeper unit into whatever you buy. It will provide a much better "time aboard" experience. Best of luck in your search.

When this accident occurred I noted the currents at the bridge were running 3 knots. Having transited that area from slack to 5 knots I can attest to the swirling currents and the need to man the helm with AP off. It was also stated the skipper was not at the helm but with the dozen or so young beauties on the vessel.

This happening got lots of press in Vancouver with the owner thoroughly roasted in public articles and on TV. God bless the Canucks.