How to plan navigation for an overnight trip?

[Polar_Bus]

Hi folks,
I am a brand new boater this year and would like to know the correct method for planning an overnight boating trip. Do you call your destination marina to reserve a slip for overnight docking? Wats a good method for planning fuel stops? I just bought a Garmin 440S combo GPS/fishfinder/sonar unit and this will be really helpfull until I get to know my way around. I also purchased a Mapquest New England Coastal map book. Thanks for all your tips!
Rich

 

[mthieme]

Re: How to plan navigation for an overnight trip?

I'm on the Chesapeake. Although it's been a while since I've done it; I've gone marina hopping down one side of the bay and up the other. It's a good idea to check with every destination especially after Labor Day. One time I pulled into a marina low on fuel that evidently closed up shop and was still on the charts, plotter, and phone directory. It looked like they had been closed for some time too.
Enjoy

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: How to plan navigation for an overnight trip?

if it is your first trip somewhere, do some contacting, either by phone of internet (email). know your maximum fuel range, with the tide and winds against you. then plan your fuel stops. you do not say the type boat you have.

 

[Polar_Bus]

Re: How to plan navigation for an overnight trip?

if it is your first trip somewhere, do some contacting, either by phone of internet (email). know your maximum fuel range, with the tide and winds against you. then plan your fuel stops. you do not say the type boat you have.

I have a 22' Stingray cuddy with a 5.7L 2bbl carb. As for my fuel consumption, I don't really know an accurate long distance 25mph cruising fuel consumption.
I do however know it takes me approx 2.5 hrs and consume approx 6.5 gallons doing a 50/50 mix of "no wake" and 35 mph cruising to travel approx 12.5 mi.

 

[wajajaja02]

Re: How to plan navigation for an overnight trip?

You dont have location in your profile, but your hint new england, so its up north, youll be more likely on your own if you run out of gas, so take can of mix with you in case the expected fuel stop is closed.
and dont forget to wear a life jacket, the water is too cold to survive a dunking in , you will drown.

 

[JoLin]

Re: How to plan navigation for an overnight trip?

Polar_Bus,

I'll apologize up front if I've underestimated your level of experience and preparation, but your posts make me a little nervous for you. I was also a brand-new boater this year, but I:

Took a safe boating class (so did my wife) and learned basic navigation.

Every time I plan a trip to a new destination, I sit down with the charts and make course notes- calculated compass headings, markers and waypoints. I also have GPS but I use the compass and my notes religiously, even when I can see my course. Why? I get better every time out, and having the GPS fail will never be more than an inconvenience. I never DEPEND on electronics to find my way. Darkness, fog and bad weather all happen just as the motor starts acting up. Happened to me a month ago. It was the first time and it was scary. The GPS was a huge help, but I knew what to do next if that failed too.

(Hell, by that point everything else had gone to s**t, so why not lose the GPS too?)

I know my fuel consumption rate at cruise. I've tracked it closely all summer and know I use about 9 gph (10 gph for planning purposes). Except for very short trips, I adhere strictly to the "1/3 rule." Headwinds and rough water dramatically increase fuel consumption. Even something as simple as rigging the bimini top and enclosure changes things. If you're doing a fuel dock to fuel dock trip, calculate what you expect to use between stops, then double it.

You're boating on a major body of water. Don't underestimate it. I've met people all season who view boating as the equivalent of driving a car on the water. I shake my head and move on.

 

[arks]

Re: How to plan navigation for an overnight trip?

Hi folks,
I am a brand new boater this year and would like to know the correct method for planning an overnight boating trip. Do you call your destination marina to reserve a slip for overnight docking? Wats a good method for planning fuel stops? I just bought a Garmin 440S combo GPS/fishfinder/sonar unit and this will be really helpfull until I get to know my way around. I also purchased a Mapquest New England Coastal map book. Thanks for all your tips!
Rich

Good information here. As we all know, boating is an enjoyable pastime but far too many beginners fail to realize the consequences of not being prepared for the worst.
Overnighting requires some planning as well as a fair amount of safety equipment (especially important in coastal New England). As far as planning, the mapbook is a good start, but you need to know how to plot a course- on paper and GPS- and how to follow that course. As stated, contact some marinas along your route and ask about their facility (fuel, food, hours, overnight dockage, price). Make reservations ahead of time- they can always be changed or cancelled. As far as fuel, the 1/3 rule is a good one. Use it!
Fog is a real concern in that part of the country, so visibilty can be extremely limited. Know when to stay put, but if you're caught in bad weather you also need to know how to navigate (or anchor) safely until conditions improve. Consider carrying a radar reflector onboard- it's cheap insurance.
Of course, PFD's and all the required USCG equipment must be onboard, in good condition, and the captain needs to know how to use it. A good compass and depthfinder is absolutely essential, and a second depthfinder should be considered. Have a VHF marine radio for communication with other boats or the CG. Even if you're not planning to anchor out, ground tackle (anchor and line) must be onboard and properly sized for your boat and cruising area. NOTE: NEVER scrimp on ground tackle- go as large as you can handle because with anchors, bigger is always better. A backup anchor and line should also be onboard- just in case.
Have enough drinking water onboard for everybody. People must stay hydrated even in colder conditions.
Overnighting is a lot of fun, but the Captain is completely responsible for the safety of all aboard. Don't EVER take that responsibility lightly because bad things can- and do- happen. I don't intend to take the fun out of the journey, but just know that proper preparation is important. Enjoy the trip.

 

[INJUN]

Re: How to plan navigation for an overnight trip?

I agree with all of the above.
Once you get to your destination, you didn't mention if you'll be spending the night at a dock or a mooring. If at a mooring you'll have to plan on battery consumption to insure a start up in the morning.

Safety first!

 

[Polar_Bus]

Re: How to plan navigation for an overnight trip?

My first goal is to get an accurate picture of fuel consumption vs. miles traveled. I plan on taking "baby steps" as far as distances next season. I am not going to do a 100 mi weekend trip without some experience first. I live near the MA/NH border coast, and there is plenty of easy day trips to get a feel for navigation, and generall proper boating practices. I just wanted to get a feel for how you plan for an overnight trip. Thanks for all suggestions and tips !

 

[arks]

Re: How to plan navigation for an overnight trip?

My first goal is to get an accurate picture of fuel consumption vs. miles traveled. I plan on taking "baby steps" as far as distances next season. I am not going to do a 100 mi weekend trip without some experience first.

"Baby steps"- that's good. Learning will be much easier and more fun if you don't try to do too much too soon. I have a couple friends that immersed themselves into boating without first taking the time to learn the basics, and within a year or so the "For Sale" signs were on their boats.

As far as fuel consumption, figure the minimum distance that you KNOW the boat will run and still have 2/3 tank (remember that rule), and select a marina well within that distance for refueling. It's always better to err on the conservative side.

 

[coricluster]

Re: How to plan navigation for an overnight trip?

or u could just save urself the headache and thinking and just get a flo scan, itwill tell you GPH, how many gal till empty, fuel used, fuel left. its a nice thing to have, i have yamahas and they have the fuel management and they are nice to have.

 

[bowman316]

Re: How to plan navigation for an overnight trip?

that does sound nice.
didn't know there was such a thing
how expensive are those?
Just for inboards, or outboards too?

 

[arks]

Re: How to plan navigation for an overnight trip?

FloScans are really nice to have but expensive IMO. They need additional sensors installed, so the real cost must include a few hours of shop time. Wish I had 'em on my boat, but in reality they're just a way to eliminate some math.
And yes, they have models available for outboard as well as inboard.

 

[JoLin]

Re: How to plan navigation for an overnight trip?

FloScans are really nice to have but expensive IMO. They need additional sensors installed, so the real cost must include a few hours of shop time. Wish I had 'em on my boat, but in reality they're just a way to eliminate some math.

When I started boating this year I wondered how I'd ever know how much fuel I'd need w/o a Floscan, or how I'd ever learn to use my power trim w/o that little dash indicator that shows the position of the drive. There's so much to remember and so much to keep track of that it's overwhelming when you're new. I spent a long time feeling like a dummy who would never get the hang of it.

As time went on, however, I realized that constant practice, measuring fuel consumption, paying attention and keeping an eye on the GPS was imbedding that knowledge in my little brain without me even knowing it was happening.

I now know my 10-gallon roundtrips and my 15-gallon round trips. I know that a 3-hour mixed bag of low and high-speed running will require at least 20 but less than 25 gallons

I know that once on plane and at 4000 rpm, to trim out until the boat starts to porpoise or pound a little, then trim in to fix the "ride." I don't need the GPS anymore to tell me I'm now running 22-24 mph @ 9 gph. Heck, I can glance back at the angle of the motor cowl and tell that I'm "in the zone".... and I no longer use the trim switch like a one-fingered pianist playing "The Flight of the Bumblebee."

I know that my boat's hull is good design, and that the passengers (including me) will cry "uncle" long before the boat feels overwhelmed by water conditions

It comes to ya.

 

[Polar_Bus]

Re: How to plan navigation for an overnight trip?

Do any of you ever carry a spare jerry jug with extra fuel or is this not a good idea on a vessel?

 

[arks]

Re: How to plan navigation for an overnight trip?

NOT a good idea at all since the gas fumes will settle into the lowest part of the boat- the bilge.
That said, it's pretty common to see gas cans lashed to swim platforms of boats on those big lakes out west like Powell and Mead because marinas with fuel are very, very far apart.
If there's no other option, the swim platform is the only safe place to carry spare gas.

 

[bowman316]

Re: How to plan navigation for an overnight trip?

well the main fuel tanks will do the same thing.
what is the difference, on a small boat that dosn't have a blower?

 

[Fl_Richard]

Re: How to plan navigation for an overnight trip?

The main tanks wont slide around and get punctured by your gaff spilling fuel and fumes into your bilge.