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The park officer's post the weather forecast daily on a bulletin board. Another possible resource would be the daily ferry crew. My avatar pic was taken at anchor there.
It just may be a lot less pressure to leave your boat in a Key West Marina and take one of the two high speed ferries to the island and enjoy the ride. By the time you stress over loading, carrying and storing extra fuel on board, transferring it to your tanks and the potential of running out of it.....it may make more sense to order another Rum Runner and let someone else drive the boat.
https://www.drytortugas.com/rates-reservations/
The park officer's post the weather forecast daily on a bulletin board. Another possible resource would be the daily ferry crew. My avatar pic was taken at anchor there.
Also, I believe the correct distance between Key West and Dry Tortugas is 67 miles which on a good day means (your 140 range) you would need to carry 10-15 additional 5 gallon gas containers which weighs about 300-400 pounds on deck. A 50 gallon fuel bladder will set you back another $600.
Excellent question. I don't know if VHF WX broadcast is available in that area.
I can tell you that while cruising in the states where all (or most) services are available, we tend to take things for granted. As soon as you get to remote destinations with no service, what used to be simple becomes a real challenge.
Perhaps renting a satellite device like inReach Delorme with WX service is something consider. I own one and it's a great tool, which also allows you to stay connected being anywhere in the open water.
I know what goes through your head. You're looking to go to a secluded spot just for couple days and have to prep like you're about to cross the Atlantic. Unfortunately, it's kind of true just b/c you're reaching limitations of your rig, including communications. Obviously, it's all doable you just need to take some extra steps.
Travelling with a buddy boat is strongly recommended.
I’d suggest you start an excel or numbers spread sheet as well as anyone else so you can calculate and track your tank capacity. What your gauge shows before you fill the tank or tanks, actual run hours, average RPMs run, compare gallons put in the tank to what she supposed to hold. You start tracking and calculating all this over four or five months with varying running conditions and you know pretty much spot on what to expect. Don’t forget to consider the current and wind average conditions along with sea state and then you should have something you can use for your boat, props, loading and running conditions. Doesn’t mean your buddies boat that might be the same on the outside will have your same numbers.
Example, our 52DB was over propped and great top speed. Took three changes to get the props dialed in where I wanted them along with real life loading conditions. Dropped 11gph consumption, now running at 80% RPMs, fully loaded fuel, water, 1/2 waste and all gear, 67-71% engine loading depending on sea conditions & windage. Cruising anywhere from 21-23nmk with EGT (exhaust gas temperatures) staying below 1,000 degrees at the turbo which is an important issue for QSM11’s manifolds, turbos & Engine life span.
Hope this adds some thoughts and ideas to improve your specific boat knowledge about your boat as it did my previous one and current one.
Safe travels, prethink all your proposed plans with the admirals thoughts in your mind as she will let you know more than ya want if ya miss calculate
I’d suggest you start an excel or numbers spread sheet as well as anyone else so you can calculate and track your tank capacity. What your gauge shows before you fill the tank or tanks, actual run hours, average RPMs run, compare gallons put in the tank to what she supposed to hold. You start tracking and calculating all this over four or five months with varying running conditions and you know pretty much spot on what to expect. Don’t forget to consider the current and wind average conditions along with sea state and then you should have something you can use for your boat, props, loading and running conditions. Doesn’t mean your buddies boat that might be the same on the outside will have your same numbers.
Example, our 52DB was over propped and great top speed. Took three changes to get the props dialed in where I wanted them along with real life loading conditions. Dropped 11gph consumption, now running at 80% RPMs, fully loaded fuel, water, 1/2 waste and all gear, 67-71% engine loading depending on sea conditions & windage. Cruising anywhere from 21-23nmk with EGT (exhaust gas temperatures) staying below 1,000 degrees at the turbo which is an important issue for QSM11’s manifolds, turbos & Engine life span.
Hope this adds some thoughts and ideas to improve your specific boat knowledge about your boat as it did my previous one and current one.
Safe travels, prethink all your proposed plans with the admirals thoughts in your mind as she will let you know more than ya want if ya miss calculate
Its very depressing those pictures don't show. I've never read through that thread and reading it without the pictures sucksToo bad all of the pictures don't show up...
Thanks much for the info/advice, Gimme. Amen to the wife thing - she keep asking for reassurance that we'll survive this and I of course tell her that "I got this". If we are bobbing around 20 miles from KW on our return in 3-4 feet seas, out of gas and out of luck, I am screwed. Would rather she be rescued and I'll go down with the ship. Am beginning to record fuel consumption and will ensure your variables on in my metrics. I have the original props and repowered with same spec engines/HP and so am relying on the original design characteristics as favorable enough.
We have been out there 5 times now. It's a great place but you need to prepare. I first went with Hampton back it we 2010 I think it was in my 270da. I would not suggest doing that now but it's what I had. Most recently went last summer 2x for a total of one week on a four week cruise. Both trips I burned 225 gals with my diesels in the Tiara. You will want to explore and run gen as well for the ac to stay comfortable. Plan on not just the 140 miles Round trip but that as well. Best calmest time to go is June \july. You will need a sat phone as well. Pm me I have a guy you can rent one from. We also had a 8 person offshore life raft. That and the eprib made me much more comfortable. As for life jackets they need to be offshore type. Prepaid and be very sure of your fuel! I will tell you you will need extra fuel for this trip with that boat. It's marginal but most definitely can be done. Be careful and have fun.
We have been out there 5 times now. It's a great place but you need to prepare. I first went with Hampton back it we 2010 I think it was in my 270da. I would not suggest doing that now but it's what I had. Most recently went last summer 2x for a total of one week on a four week cruise. Both trips I burned 225 gals with my diesels in the Tiara. You will want to explore and run gen as well for the ac to stay comfortable. Plan on not just the 140 miles Round trip but that as well. Best calmest time to go is June \july. You will need a sat phone as well. Pm me I have a guy you can rent one from. We also had a 8 person offshore life raft. That and the eprib made me much more comfortable. As for life jackets they need to be offshore type. Prepaid and be very sure of your fuel! I will tell you you will need extra fuel for this trip with that boat. It's marginal but most definitely can be done. Be careful and have fun.
This is an easy trip that will be fun and a great experience. Just simply cover the what-if's and enjoy. I run over to the Abaco, Eleuthra, Berrys or Exuma at least three times a year and we just simply love it. My advice is be prepared, safe, and always have a backup plan. Possibly to ease any anxiety is to caravan over with some others.
I did Dry Tortugas last May by heading from St.Pete to Ft. Myers, Ft.Myers to Key West, fuel at A&B Marina, then to Dry Tortuga. Great experience. We stayed on the hook in the anchorage just off of Ft. Jefferson. The park ranger came by just after dark to check to ensure proper lighting... which FYI also means no underwater lights on while in the park.