<< Subj: Re: Tohatsu/Nissan 3.5 external tank discussion
Date: 3/30/99 9:44:00 AM Eastern Standard Time
From: GSTahoe@aol.com
To: wwpotter@tscnet.com
In a message dated 3/30/99 12:02:17 AM Pacific Standard Time, SolarFry@aol.com
writes:
<< Blowing 30 MPH, seas 6 - 9', motoring in with 3.5 w/internal fuel tank...
Run
out of fuel at inlet... (Wasn't that obvious?) >>
You could have saved a few bucks with this little scenario by being a little
more cautious and making certain your tank was topped off before entering the
aforementioned inlet.
I have found that an accurate knotmeter (I use a Speedmate) helps immensely.
I know how far I can go on a tank of gas--exactly. When I anticipate rough
water, a close inlet or other challenges, I make sure my tank is topped off.
I know some sailors keep gas in small containers, such as plastic oil
bottles,
where they can just undo the cap and dump a full tank of fuel in the motor
quickly and easily. I've never felt that really necessary, although I do
keep
my gas in containers that are small enough to handle easily. A one or one and
a half gallon can is easier to handle than a five gallon can and I can go all
day with a one gallon can and still come home with half of it left. I have
also found that the mechanical lift motor mount helps in rough water in that
I
am able to raise the motor clear out of the water and the fuel filler cap is
at a comfortable level to be able to fill er up, even when it's rough.
There is one advantage to your little scenario--while the boat is up on the
rocks, it will be easy to access the swing keel for inspection or
maintenance.
Geoff
P-15 Lollipop
No. Lake Tahoe, NV
>>
Now don't get mad at me... We sail different conditions...
Did you count how many hands I have? <EBG> They don't call me Octopus Lou
sometimes for nothing...
Ocean can be flat and forecast be for 1' to 2' waves with less than 10 MPH
wind. One hour later it can be blasting at 50MPH with seas running 10'.
Do you get 6' - 12' breaking waves surging fwd. at about 25 - 50 MPH while
current is rushing out at 8 knots on Lake Tahoe? The lil motor flat out makes
no headway at all (you actually drift backwards). You need to surf the waves
in. That's why I traded the 3.5 for an 8. It's still not enough to get in
through that inlet when tide is running out... Next a 350 ci. turbocharged
V8... <BG> Yah! That should get me in that darn inlet... <EBG>
There is no calculating mileage when you transverse the intracoastal waterway
and head in and out inlets. You never know what speed that current is going to
have as tides are always different. I think you need to go down to mouth of
San Francisco Bay and sail out to ocean to understand this one better. It's a
humbling experience...
Best
Solar Fry
P19 # 1028, "Elusive Margin"
Florida Weather: Temp 80 F
Partly Cloudy, wind ENE 22 - 30 MPH Gusting to 40, Seas 8' - 12'
Canal wind NE 15 - 20 gusting to 30, canal waves 2 - 3'
BTW:
I like your suggestion for checking keel. <G> Next time I climb on top of that
breakwater (or get thrown there...) with boat I'll check that keel...
(sing ->) FUN, fun, FuN... fUn... till you daddy takes the Potter away...
Potter awayyyyy..... lalallaal lal al;l la...
Sorry I lost it there a bit... Wonder where it went...
By the way.. I use a Raytheon 365 DF. It indicates Depth (to 1000'), water
temp, vessel speed (down to 0.1 MPH) and miles traveled... My mileage on the
outboard varies from 3 MPG to 12 MPG. Depends on current, wind and traffic...