Following is an email I just received from the owner of the second N68. He has just completed his first major run since adjusting the prop pitch on his boat. In addition to the discussion of prop pitch, he mentions burying the bow a few times. I haven’t done that in over a decade, but will never forget how it felt on our N62. A very strange feeling.
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Hello all,
We got in from Stuart late yesterday after running 30 hrs to St Simons Island, GA. Our prop repitch has woked perfectly with an intersting twist. We were told bty all of the “gurus” to add between 2.5 and 3 inches of puitch to get where we needed to be. Stuart Propeller was not able to add but 2″ – 36″ of pitch to 38″. Now at WOT our starboard engine is at exactly 100 percent load – dead on perfect and the port was at 98% – probably some anemolie or problem but darn close. Bottom line is our boat speed is tremendously highher but at that rpm fuel burn was greater as would be expected due to load. At 1200 rpm we are making about 8.1 knots but now burning 12 gpm with generator – too high. Our previous sweet spot was 1025 rpm where we got over 1 NMPG.
We also got a good sea test with big seas and pretty good wind. Several times we had the top of the bow pulpit rail buried – never seen that before – it is 13 ft above the water line. We were at probably a 25-30 degree up and down angle on pitch several times […].
Best to all,
David
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Also…
This article appeared in the Seattle Times newspaper today:
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008901921_ranger22m.html
The article references a commercial fishing trawler that sank last March in the Bering Sea, and the subsequent accident investigation. The investigators are looking into whether having representatives of the fish buyers (Japanese) on board may have undermined the captain and may have contributed to the incident. Chilling.
-Ken W
12 Responses
Ken,
On our “N55 Heads Up Report” sometime ago we had a very interesting thread on water ingress from a hole in our hull after a collision below the water line. The results didn’t look good for our dispersal via the provided gear. The larger the hole, always water – first, bilge pumps (3) – nil
Talk about carrying a stand alone gas driven crash or firefighting pump was considered as a possibility, but numbers showed this still may not work with rapid ingress. Shoring up internally is difficult because apart from having to do it under water, you may not be able to access the breach because of where it is.
What I elected to do get was a collision mat made out of the heaviest storm sail type cloth. This was inspired by Capt Cook back in the 1770’s when he draped externally a sail over the hole and allowed water pressure to keep it cemented up tight enough to stem/reduce the flow, enabling bilge pumps to keep up until reaching a safe careening haven.
If he hadn’t done this Australia maybe would have another name, and speak another language today.
My collision mat is triangular in shape, about 6 sq m , long lines to each corner, with a heavy 8′ of chain at the apex, allowing gravity to help manouver the mat over the hole, and to bring the apex line under the hull via the bow or stern for positioning and tying off. It cost me AUD $400, and is a cinch to store.
It’s sometimes the simple things that work best. Go to the source to fix a problem I always say from past and expensive experience.
Regards,
Peter
Ken,
Good luck with your adventure coming up.
I have just spent some time down in Tasmania and had a chance to speak to some fisherman who plied the rugged and unforgiving south and west coasts.
They all talked about a “Morris” This is an anchoring system that works on the same principle I guess as a parachute anchor, but is an anchor. What they do in bad or dangerous conditions is to head out to sea at least 5 nm and not overly deep (say 50m) and drop the “Morris” The anchor is just a roughly made steel type grappling hook with over a 1000 feet of nylon line, not too big in diameter, and attached to a steel cable bridle of about 3 feet, then onto the “Morris” The anchor also has a float attached to it for recovery identification. It may drag but not enough to get you to that dangerous lee shore for a long long time. If you lose your “Morris” just get a welder to make you another out of scrap steel.
Just a suggestion
Jon: I’ll try to remember to talk about our actual start date in my next blog update.
The GSSR start is kind of confusing. I’m departing Seattle on April 17th, and I’m thinking Seabird and Grey Pearl will do the same, but we really haven’t discussed it yet.
We have fixed June 7th as the magic date they we’ll start traveling together non-stop, and that we’ll rendezvous around Glacier Bay Alaska for the run across the Gulf of Alaska.
Between April 17 and June 7th, all of the boats have a non-stop parade of various guests on board. We’ll each wander north at roughly the same pace, randomly bumping into each other, but usually not traveling together.
We might travel together more than I’m thinking, but probably not. Our focus on the run north will be having fun with our respective guests. It is when we start getting farther north that we’ll form a team, get rid of the guests, and start digging in for the trickier water.
-Ken W
this may have already been discussed but where are the boats officially leaving from on the GSSR? is it the marina in seattle where the webcams are located so people can view it? jon
Once underway and once out into open water, you may wish to make a sacrifice to the god Odin. Normally this involves the pouring of vodka upon the water. I did this upon exiting Cape May, NJ and within 24 hours ran into a moderate Nor’easter which put us on peanut butter crackers for 12 hours.
Still, without the sacrifice, who knows might have happened?
Ron
I merged the two lists together, so now there is only one list. It was a software limitation, and I wasn’t sure what to do … so….
Once I’m on the boat, I’ll start sending out frequent updates (probably daily), and probably include a section which is more techie, and can be bypassed by all the people who are just seeking a “travelogue”. In the meantime, I’m posting something whenever I can think of something to say, and have the time. We’re in the mode now of closing down our home in Cabo for the season, and moving back to Seattle. Starting Monday I’ll be thinking nothing but the boat for the next six months.
For the next couple weeks, prior to actually being on the boat, when I want to post something, but think it is too techie to send out to the entire list, I’ll just post it here, and not send it out. I haven’t decided what I’ll do once I’m on the boat.
What I should have done is maintain both lists…
Argh.
I’m probably too sensitive on this topic, but I fear that if I send out an update (a blog entry) discussing my electrical plans, to thousands of people, I’ll get thousands of “unsubscribe” requests.
-Ken W
Hi Ken,
I received the”G.S.S.R.” update a few days ago, and signed my father up for your blog. I had been on the “Gearheads Short List” , but now don’t seem to be receiving any of your posting as the two most recent one’s haven’t come through. I have re-registered, but hope to still be on the “fanatics” short list. This FYI is to alert you in case something went wrong with the link and the computer thought I was updating my e-mail address. Have a great trip and I look forward to reading about your adventure.
Best Regards,
David Evans
you maybe able to see a live volcano in action, mount redoubt just erupted near anchorage. jon
Chuck: Nah… I’m going to tip the weatherman an extra $50 and insist on good weather all the way!
-Ken W
PS I hope it works!
I have a feeling you will be getting used to having the bow buried in waves on your “Sushi” run!
Eric: I removed your email address from the posting .. so that you don’t get spammed by all the programs out there that harvest email addresses from websites.
I’m easy to find: ken at kensblog.com (http://kensblog.com) .
Look forward to speaking with you.
-Ken W
Ken,
I have been following your blog for a few years. I would like to send you an email regarding a cabo question and a nordavn question in private. My email is (removed). I would prefer to send them privately if you would be willing to provide an email address. Additionally, my website for my work is (removed). I currently own a CRN built 112 foot MY.