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Boston to Florida on a Searay 340

Discussion in 'Sea Ray Yacht' started by JB1150, Apr 7, 2010.

  1. JB1150

    JB1150 New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2010
    Messages:
    49
    Location:
    Boston
    Does anyone have any experience moving a Searay 340 Express Cruiser with 7.4 liter mercs from Boston to Florida? I'm looking to see how much fuel they burned. I've never made the trip but understand that there is significant no wake and speed limits on the ICW and I don't have enough information to calculate what my actual consumption for the trip might be. Any other advice on taking a boat this size on the trip is welcome as well.

    John
  2. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 29, 2008
    Messages:
    8,149
    Location:
    Miami, FL
    no, there aren't that many no wake zones along the way except from Palm Beach to Miami. obviuosly there are a few here and there and yes you will need to slow down here and there to pass others but you can plan on about 80% of the trip to be done on plane.

    guessing about 25GPH at 25kts if V Drives, a little better with stern drives.... ?
  3. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2008
    Messages:
    11,205
    Location:
    Long Island, NY
    You may have problems making it from Montauk to A.C. I suggest going up the Peconic Bay and fueling at the south side of the Shinnicock locks, then going out Shinnicock Inlet. You should be able to make A.C. from there. You should have a handle on your fuel burn by then. However, check your fuel burn from Boston to the C.C. canal (fuel @ Sandwich). There's a chance you'll have to fuel @ B.I. or Newport as well. If there is any doubt about capacity from there either go up L.I. Sound or through L.I.'s south shore bays to Fire Island inlet. (If you do take the south shore bays please PM me for instructions or you will run aground in Moriches Bay.) Either will cost you an extra day, but but beats waiting on the ocean for Sea Tow to bring fuel.
    I doubt you'll be able to make the distance from Ocean City,Md. to Norfolk so plan to run up the Delaware to the C & D, then down the Ches. (another extra day). The inside run from Coinjock to Beaufort will also be a problem, but if you top off at the marina at the Alligator River bridge you should be OK. Beaufort-Georgetown and Georgetown to Hilton Head you should be OK outside, but after HH stay inside to Fernandina Beach. After that you should have no problems with fuel stops.
    Remember that you can't and don't want to get to the bottom of your tank so do your calculations assuming at least 20% less usable fuel than you specs show.
    I think you'll find these links helpful (if you don't have your computer you can call in to Dial-A-Buoy for sea condition reports):Weather & Sea Conditions:
    NBNC-NORTHEAST USA Recent Marine Data
    http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/maps/Northeast.shtml

    ICW Conditions: SKIPPER BOB
    http://skipperbob.home.att.net
    and
    Cruisersnet.net
    Finally, make sure you get along with whoever you're traveling with because, even then, you may not want to see them again for awhile after spending 10 to 18 days, 24/7 on that boat with them.
  4. Fireman431

    Fireman431 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2010
    Messages:
    195
    Location:
    East central Florida
    I have a 37' Carver and run twin 7.4L Merc's. I have done a few long runs and given the power to weight ratio, yours shouldn't be too different. My weighs in at 21,000 lbs and runs 620 HP total.

    600 RPM (idle) - 3-4 kts and 4 GPH total use.
    1000 RPM - 8 kts and 8 GPH total use.
    1500 RPM - 12 kts and 14 GPH total use

    anything between 1700 and 3100 RPM just plows through the water, throws a monster wake and burns the crap out of fuel.

    3200 RPM (lowest planing speed) - 18 kts and 24 GPH total use
    3600 RPM - 22-24 kts and 26-30 GPH total use
    4250 RPM - (WOT) - 25-26 kts and 34+ GPH total use.

    You will, obviously, have some differences due to hull design, weight, engine tuning, trimming, wind/weather, etc.

    Good luck on your trip. I'd like to know how it is. We are looking to go from central Florida to NY sometime soon...I'd rather take it to the Keys, personally. :cool:
  5. JB1150

    JB1150 New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2010
    Messages:
    49
    Location:
    Boston
    Thank You to everyone for posting. This will be my 10th year with this particular boat. I've had her as far south as Annapolis but have no experience south of that.

    Fireman - I'd say our fuel burn rates are about the same at RPM, I just get a couple of more knots out of it than you do. My 1988 340 EC weighs 12,000 lbs dry weight and I figure somewhere between 14,000 to 15,000 loaded.

    Pascal - Your comment about 20% of the time at reduce speed is interesting. What percentage of the trip did you figure was running outside as opposed to on the ICW?

    Capn - Thanks for the detailed info and the IM, you look to be right on when it comes to the range of the boat and when to refuel.

    Again thanks to everyone for writing.