Bringing the boat home

1.15 mpg not bad since you where hauling a lot

Ok, I found my receipts for where I took on fuel. Fuel consumption was better than I thought.

Refuel points and amounts:
  • Myrtle Beach, SC: 76 gallons
  • Oriental, NC: 157 gallons
  • Coinjock, NC: 111 gallons
  • Annapolis, MD: 159 gallons
  • Cape May: 127 gallons
  • Liberty landing: 110 gallons
  • NYC to Port Jeff: 40 gallons burned (not refueled yet)
Trip Fuel Metrics:
  • Total fuel usage: 780 gallons
  • Miles traveled: 981
  • MPG: 1.25

The boat conditions were 4 adults, bottom paint, full water, full fuel, and a bunch of gear / provisions. We rarely got below a 1/2 tank of fuel. The closest we got was at Annapolis, were we were at 48% of the 300 gallon capacity.

Edit: This data also includes fuel for the generator which was running the entire time we were underway. So to efficiency was actually better than 1.25 mpg.
 
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Ok, I found my receipts for where I took on fuel. Fuel consumption was better than I thought.

Refuel points and amounts:
  • Myrtle Beach, SC: 76 gallons
  • Oriental, NC: 157 gallons
  • Coinjock, NC: 111 gallons
  • Annapolis, MD: 159 gallons
  • Cape May: 127 gallons
  • Liberty landing: 110 gallons
  • NYC to Port Jeff: 40 gallons burned (not refueled yet)
Trip Fuel Metrics:
  • Total fuel usage: 780 gallons
  • Miles traveled: 981
  • MPG: 1.25

The boat conditions were 4 adults, bottom paint, full water, full fuel, and a bunch of gear / provisions. We rarely got below a 1/2 tank of fuel. The closest we got was at Annapolis, were we were at 48% of the 300 gallon capacity.

Edit: This data also includes fuel for the generator which was running the entire time we were underway. So to efficiency was actually better than 1.25 mpg.
That is incredible fuel mileage for your speeds! Thanks for posting.
I suspect you are becoming a solid, if unintentional, ambassador for another brand.
By the way, when you avatar shows up on my desktop, it looks like the front of an 18 wheeler at first glance. Don't know if you meant to do that, but it is pretty cool.
 
That is incredible fuel mileage for your speeds! Thanks for posting.
I suspect you are becoming a solid, if unintentional, ambassador for another brand.
By the way, when you avatar shows up on my desktop, it looks like the front of an 18 wheeler at first glance. Don't know if you meant to do that, but it is pretty cool.
Ah, that's funny about looking like a truck. Purely coincidental - it was just the photo I was sent by the lettering company!

It's fair to say I've become an ambassador, just because I like what the boat does and how the company supports their product. There's a Facebook group for owners, and I've had a lot of one-on-one phone conversations and messenger chats with folks interested in their first or upgrade purchase. I'm glad the folks here are tolerant of us defectors, because it's a great site and I still have a strong affinity for Sea Ray boats - at least of a certain era.
 
There's a Facebook group for owners, and I've had a lot of one-on-one phone conversations and messenger chats with folks interested in their first or upgrade purchase. .
I tried to join the Facebook group as a non owner and haven’t been accepted yet.... guess they are not as tolerant :)
 
I tried to join the Facebook group as a non owner and haven’t been accepted yet.... guess they are not as tolerant :)
Yeah, Craigg is pretty strict about the FB group being for Back Cove and Sabre owners only, or if you make a case that you're serious about buying one. He gets a LOT of tire kickers and rando's that are trying to "collect" different types of FB groups (aka boating groups, cooking groups, etc). It's definitely a group for sharing BC/Sabre info among owners, and very specifically not a social group.

It's quite a different feel than CSR, and certainly harder to find info because it's not threaded. But still a good group of very helpful boat owners.
 
Rusty messaged me this that he was doing a similar part of our trip in a Sea Ray 650. Of course he was bragging a bit that he has 2 SeaKeeper gyros spun up to my zero stabilizers. Frankly my boat could nearly be a tender to that beast.

He also sent a pic of his speed and engine status. Cruising right along at 28 mph on calm seas (lucky guy!). Burning 98 gph!

F473EC26-FFAB-4AAF-8F89-40BEF129B4AB.jpeg


12D90406-CA98-4013-BF7A-34591BFA84FA.jpeg


E65AFB49-70A3-42A7-942C-F0CC78865AE1.jpeg


I do like his new hat though.
 
I tried to join the Facebook group as a non owner and haven’t been accepted yet.... guess they are not as tolerant :)
Oh! Let me tell you! I try to join faceplant. Didn’t want to put my age, so I put Current date as age, they said I was too young to join and had provide a picture of my drivers license. Oh hell shit fk dam no!!!! So I guess I banned from face plant forever!
 
FD91D8CB-A6FD-4979-8E67-EF39B9A4D443.jpeg
FD91D8CB-A6FD-4979-8E67-EF39B9A4D443.jpeg
The 37’s fuel burn is impressive. Our 34 burned about 70 gallons to Myrtle Beach as opposed to Brad’37 burning 76 gallons. Yes our generator was running.
 
Ok, I found my receipts for where I took on fuel. Fuel consumption was better than I thought.

Refuel points and amounts:
  • Myrtle Beach, SC: 76 gallons
  • Oriental, NC: 157 gallons
  • Coinjock, NC: 111 gallons
  • Annapolis, MD: 159 gallons
  • Cape May: 127 gallons
  • Liberty landing: 110 gallons
  • NYC to Port Jeff: 40 gallons burned (not refueled yet)
Trip Fuel Metrics:
  • Total fuel usage: 780 gallons
  • Miles traveled: 981
  • MPG: 1.25

The boat conditions were 4 adults, bottom paint, full water, full fuel, and a bunch of gear / provisions. We rarely got below a 1/2 tank of fuel. The closest we got was at Annapolis, were we were at 48% of the 300 gallon capacity.

Edit: This data also includes fuel for the generator which was running the entire time we were underway. So to efficiency was actually better than 1.25 mpg.
I gotta get me one of these boats!! Thats fantastic!
 
Let the reality of the story set in before reading about the adventure…… To be a part of a crew that mustered three men from three different generations, and all from the same family, WOW!....... I told the young master onboard that one could probably count on a couple hands how many times a Grandfather, a Dad, and a Son ventured on the same new boat from the Southern Seas, all the way to Long Island Sound. That is a novel in itself, something Hemmingway would use as a foundation and turn into a masterpiece……”Old man of the Sea, who sat back and watched”. You see how I jumped into the lead role there.

Riding with Brad and crew was more like being the Admiral on the Flagship. I had all the credentials but not much of a task. b.arrington is more than capable of running the “Jennifer B”, so my difficulty became where to prompt my foot up in the companion seat for most the duration. Our strong suit was everyone knew what to do at each docking, or when crew was needed. Grandson and Grand Father on the deck handling lines and fenders, can ya imagine! That Lad already has bucket list boxes checked off and is just beginning.

We planned our work and worked our plan. In doing so we were able to make even better time and distance than expected, so we gained more ground and tried to extend each day by a little. I make it a huge point to keep in contact with marinas to ensure our arrival, or to cancel early enough to be forgiven, and we were boogieing! Had to adjust navigational options to side-step weather but even on the bad days we were able to maneuver around, or tuck in the avoid the worse.

The only single engine vessel I have driven in years is my Sea Ray Laguna, and that thing has red and green paint on the rub rail from me rubbing up against buoys in Canaveral, catching my favorite Tripletail. I bump things because I can not drive a single engine boat! Again, justifying my breathing space here, Captain Brad knows what he knows, and how to find out what he doesn’t. That is huge when making long ventures. My travels rely on relationships along the way, that knowledge alone is like the best PFD ever. His crew is top-shelf and I see years upon years of the Jennifer B being apart of that family. The Back Cove impressed me at every turn. Single engine yes, but 24knts burning in the low 20’s gph…..come on! I am used to vessels burning 90+ to run like that, Lordy! She took everything we hit on the nose, and a few of those bad boys were in the 6’ range. The lower Delaware pushed back due to the flood time coming in hitting an out-going river, straight up waves and the Back Cove took’um like a champ. The boat also has a very simple bilge (1 engine!) access to everything, shaft prop, can’t get easier, I like it !

I started with the adventure part, then to the navigation, followed by how much I liked this boat, now I conclude where I started, the crew. Yes, the Captain is capable of any destination. Traveling the ICW can be and will be as treacherous as any route. Brad conquered what signs, markers and sounds mean, and did so in tight quarters. He will have a stern sounding board in the Grand Father, he is the best! Long Island and New England stories from before I can remember. Yankee’s history from the Bambino days, loved it! While Brad was driving off the coast in NJ with me assuming my normal half supine position, the other two were on the IPad watching the Yanks season opener. It was like listening to two kids at the ballpark, each with a glove in hand! I sometimes look at the young kids today and when I’m able to see their strong suits, I kind of tell them to go with what they are good at, or to enjoy life the most. The young man on this boat was as studious as Einstein and quick witted as Dangerfield. He bantered with me like a person with many more years under their belt and I so enjoyed it. The lad is also a ball player (pitches and plays the 3 spot), and is on the wrestling team. He asked me at one point if I remembered the Higgins Landing Craft” of D-Day times….dang near brought a tear to my eye. Most young people I meet have limited options in their skill sets. This young man has as many opportunities lying ahead as any grown person I have ever met. It was a real treat for me to see firsthand that all is not lost with young’uns like him coming up. Smart and an athlete, with a great personality..I will see from him again!

I have said it before and I truly mean it, boats are boats…it is the people in our community and those who travel our paths that make all the difference to me. What a change of pace for me, and what a crew to totally enjoy a trip like the one we just accomplished.

I am on a L650 today in Oriental NC, after coming from Myrtle Beach and traveling out in the big pond all day. Yes, I am wondering why I’m burning 95gph when just a week ago I did the same in a cool a__ Back Cove consuming a quarter the fuel.

Capt. Arrington, thank you for allowing me to intrude on such a journey with your family. You guys have it going on and I am honored to say I ran the Eastern Seaboard upon the Jennifer B!


Capt. Rusty Higgins
 
Let the reality of the story set in before reading about the adventure…… To be a part of a crew that mustered three men from three different generations, and all from the same family, WOW!....... I told the young master onboard that one could probably count on a couple hands how many times a Grandfather, a Dad, and a Son ventured on the same new boat from the Southern Seas, all the way to Long Island Sound. That is a novel in itself, something Hemmingway would use as a foundation and turn into a masterpiece……”Old man of the Sea, who sat back and watched”. You see how I jumped into the lead role there.

Riding with Brad and crew was more like being the Admiral on the Flagship. I had all the credentials but not much of a task. b.arrington is more than capable of running the “Jennifer B”, so my difficulty became where to prompt my foot up in the companion seat for most the duration. Our strong suit was everyone knew what to do at each docking, or when crew was needed. Grandson and Grand Father on the deck handling lines and fenders, can ya imagine! That Lad already has bucket list boxes checked off and is just beginning.

We planned our work and worked our plan. In doing so we were able to make even better time and distance than expected, so we gained more ground and tried to extend each day by a little. I make it a huge point to keep in contact with marinas to ensure our arrival, or to cancel early enough to be forgiven, and we were boogieing! Had to adjust navigational options to side-step weather but even on the bad days we were able to maneuver around, or tuck in the avoid the worse.

The only single engine vessel I have driven in years is my Sea Ray Laguna, and that thing has red and green paint on the rub rail from me rubbing up against buoys in Canaveral, catching my favorite Tripletail. I bump things because I can not drive a single engine boat! Again, justifying my breathing space here, Captain Brad knows what he knows, and how to find out what he doesn’t. That is huge when making long ventures. My travels rely on relationships along the way, that knowledge alone is like the best PFD ever. His crew is top-shelf and I see years upon years of the Jennifer B being apart of that family. The Back Cove impressed me at every turn. Single engine yes, but 24knts burning in the low 20’s gph…..come on! I am used to vessels burning 90+ to run like that, Lordy! She took everything we hit on the nose, and a few of those bad boys were in the 6’ range. The lower Delaware pushed back due to the flood time coming in hitting an out-going river, straight up waves and the Back Cove took’um like a champ. The boat also has a very simple bilge (1 engine!) access to everything, shaft prop, can’t get easier, I like it !

I started with the adventure part, then to the navigation, followed by how much I liked this boat, now I conclude where I started, the crew. Yes, the Captain is capable of any destination. Traveling the ICW can be and will be as treacherous as any route. Brad conquered what signs, markers and sounds mean, and did so in tight quarters. He will have a stern sounding board in the Grand Father, he is the best! Long Island and New England stories from before I can remember. Yankee’s history from the Bambino days, loved it! While Brad was driving off the coast in NJ with me assuming my normal half supine position, the other two were on the IPad watching the Yanks season opener. It was like listening to two kids at the ballpark, each with a glove in hand! I sometimes look at the young kids today and when I’m able to see their strong suits, I kind of tell them to go with what they are good at, or to enjoy life the most. The young man on this boat was as studious as Einstein and quick witted as Dangerfield. He bantered with me like a person with many more years under their belt and I so enjoyed it. The lad is also a ball player (pitches and plays the 3 spot), and is on the wrestling team. He asked me at one point if I remembered the Higgins Landing Craft” of D-Day times….dang near brought a tear to my eye. Most young people I meet have limited options in their skill sets. This young man has as many opportunities lying ahead as any grown person I have ever met. It was a real treat for me to see firsthand that all is not lost with young’uns like him coming up. Smart and an athlete, with a great personality..I will see from him again!

I have said it before and I truly mean it, boats are boats…it is the people in our community and those who travel our paths that make all the difference to me. What a change of pace for me, and what a crew to totally enjoy a trip like the one we just accomplished.

I am on a L650 today in Oriental NC, after coming from Myrtle Beach and traveling out in the big pond all day. Yes, I am wondering why I’m burning 95gph when just a week ago I did the same in a cool a__ Back Cove consuming a quarter the fuel.

Capt. Arrington, thank you for allowing me to intrude on such a journey with your family. You guys have it going on and I am honored to say I ran the Eastern Seaboard upon the Jennifer B!


Capt. Rusty Higgins
Wow...what a great summary of what sounds like a great experience and journey
 
Let the reality of the story set in before reading about the adventure…… To be a part of a crew that mustered three men from three different generations, and all from the same family, WOW!....... I told the young master onboard that one could probably count on a couple hands how many times a Grandfather, a Dad, and a Son ventured on the same new boat from the Southern Seas, all the way to Long Island Sound. That is a novel in itself, something Hemmingway would use as a foundation and turn into a masterpiece……”Old man of the Sea, who sat back and watched”. You see how I jumped into the lead role there.

Riding with Brad and crew was more like being the Admiral on the Flagship. I had all the credentials but not much of a task. b.arrington is more than capable of running the “Jennifer B”, so my difficulty became where to prompt my foot up in the companion seat for most the duration. Our strong suit was everyone knew what to do at each docking, or when crew was needed. Grandson and Grand Father on the deck handling lines and fenders, can ya imagine! That Lad already has bucket list boxes checked off and is just beginning.

We planned our work and worked our plan. In doing so we were able to make even better time and distance than expected, so we gained more ground and tried to extend each day by a little. I make it a huge point to keep in contact with marinas to ensure our arrival, or to cancel early enough to be forgiven, and we were boogieing! Had to adjust navigational options to side-step weather but even on the bad days we were able to maneuver around, or tuck in the avoid the worse.

The only single engine vessel I have driven in years is my Sea Ray Laguna, and that thing has red and green paint on the rub rail from me rubbing up against buoys in Canaveral, catching my favorite Tripletail. I bump things because I can not drive a single engine boat! Again, justifying my breathing space here, Captain Brad knows what he knows, and how to find out what he doesn’t. That is huge when making long ventures. My travels rely on relationships along the way, that knowledge alone is like the best PFD ever. His crew is top-shelf and I see years upon years of the Jennifer B being apart of that family. The Back Cove impressed me at every turn. Single engine yes, but 24knts burning in the low 20’s gph…..come on! I am used to vessels burning 90+ to run like that, Lordy! She took everything we hit on the nose, and a few of those bad boys were in the 6’ range. The lower Delaware pushed back due to the flood time coming in hitting an out-going river, straight up waves and the Back Cove took’um like a champ. The boat also has a very simple bilge (1 engine!) access to everything, shaft prop, can’t get easier, I like it !

I started with the adventure part, then to the navigation, followed by how much I liked this boat, now I conclude where I started, the crew. Yes, the Captain is capable of any destination. Traveling the ICW can be and will be as treacherous as any route. Brad conquered what signs, markers and sounds mean, and did so in tight quarters. He will have a stern sounding board in the Grand Father, he is the best! Long Island and New England stories from before I can remember. Yankee’s history from the Bambino days, loved it! While Brad was driving off the coast in NJ with me assuming my normal half supine position, the other two were on the IPad watching the Yanks season opener. It was like listening to two kids at the ballpark, each with a glove in hand! I sometimes look at the young kids today and when I’m able to see their strong suits, I kind of tell them to go with what they are good at, or to enjoy life the most. The young man on this boat was as studious as Einstein and quick witted as Dangerfield. He bantered with me like a person with many more years under their belt and I so enjoyed it. The lad is also a ball player (pitches and plays the 3 spot), and is on the wrestling team. He asked me at one point if I remembered the Higgins Landing Craft” of D-Day times….dang near brought a tear to my eye. Most young people I meet have limited options in their skill sets. This young man has as many opportunities lying ahead as any grown person I have ever met. It was a real treat for me to see firsthand that all is not lost with young’uns like him coming up. Smart and an athlete, with a great personality..I will see from him again!

I have said it before and I truly mean it, boats are boats…it is the people in our community and those who travel our paths that make all the difference to me. What a change of pace for me, and what a crew to totally enjoy a trip like the one we just accomplished.

I am on a L650 today in Oriental NC, after coming from Myrtle Beach and traveling out in the big pond all day. Yes, I am wondering why I’m burning 95gph when just a week ago I did the same in a cool a__ Back Cove consuming a quarter the fuel.

Capt. Arrington, thank you for allowing me to intrude on such a journey with your family. You guys have it going on and I am honored to say I ran the Eastern Seaboard upon the Jennifer B!


Capt. Rusty Higgins

Not to steel @Blueone WOW, but WOW. What a great and nice thing to read. Brad you should print that and frame it. Complements don't get much higher than that. Capt. Rusty, my hats off to you.
 
So you all know that I'm not shy on writing stuff here. But it's taken me a few days to figure out how to acknowledge what Rusty said above.

Rusty mentioned he might pop in and make a comment on the trip and his thoughts on the Back Cove, so I was expecting that. I think we all have an idea in our own minds what our capabilities and knowledge level. In some ways I still feel like the new guy that has a lot to pick up from others. I like to join in here because I feel like I have some info to offer others, and there's always more I can learn. As an example I'm currently enrolled in in a Masters program because I felt I needed more knowledge to be better in my career.

In my experience it's quite rare that you get an unvarnished glimpse into what others think of you, and an outside assessment of your knowledge / skill set from someone you respect. I feel fortunate to have been given that look by Rusty. It's at turns flattering, humbling, and reassuring that yes I actually do know what I'm doing. And when I don't, I find out!

Could I have done that trip on my own? In retrospect, probably. But having Rusty's excellent knowledge from hundreds of ICW runs was an enormous help and made the trip so much easier. Rusty's not kidding when he says he runs on relationships. He knew exactly who to call for a dock reservation, based on where we were and were likely to be. He literally make a call and said "It's Rusty. Need a slip. Be there at 5. 37 feet. See you then." The guy and his people skills are amazing.

So, thanks Rusty. Your kind words have deep meaning, and I'm so glad we got to run together for a bit.
 
I just happened upon this thread and couldn’t put down my iPad. What an incredible trip….thank you for sharing. Now I want to watch the movie!
3 generations of men led by a legendary captain, a trip of a lifetime. Just when you think that all is lost in this world you read something like this and hope is renewed.
 
Just pulled into Bluewater Yachting Center in Hampton Road, VA. Sitting behind a 360 DA.

Anyone know the codes for the shower? Office closed before we got them.

View attachment 102219 View attachment 102220
Know this marina well, wish I was following you then. Great crab cake sandwich.

Today’s run. 186 miles, Cape May to Liberty Landing in NY Harbor. Home tomorrow, short 60 mile run.

View attachment 102341 View attachment 102347


My son brought us into NY Harbor under the Verrazano, and up into Liberty Landing.
View attachment 102348 View attachment 102349
Brings back good memories of my trip from Cape May to NYC in the ex father-in-laws 420AC.
 
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