Sailing a lobster boat across the Atlantic

[Stagleton]

For some reason I really like the design and look of lobster boats. I live in Norway but I'm from the Boston area. I thought it would be a fun project to sail a lobster boat from Boston over to Norway. The biggest challenge seems to be the fuel. My neighbor at my parents house is a retired boat mechanic and he seems pretty confident I could make the boat weather worthy but doubts I could carry enough fuel and my brother suggested using a kite to save fuel: http://www.thefutureisawesome.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/cargo-ship-kite-02.jpg

I think it is a project I might attempt in 5-7 years and there is a lot of discussion about whether it would be better to try and go from Newfoundland over to Ireland or make some stops in Greenland and/or Iceland for refueling. I was also thinking about towing a small sailboat and packing it with a bunch of fuel tanks.

What is the typical fuel consumption for a lobster boat and do you know any ways of reducing it? How much fuel do you think is needed? How many gallons of fuel can a lobster boat hold?

 

[Pedlyr]

We actually came across these guys a couple of years ago when they were leaving Boston. We talked to them just north of Stellwagen. I followed their progress all summer. They made it and then some...

http://www.thegreatamericanspirit.net/

 

[Stinkpot]

If you're looking for a deck hand / relief capt. to come along, let me know!

 

[Tumblehome]

Well, I would deep six the towing of the sailboat idea. That will be a huge burden the moment you hit some weather/seas. Manueverabilty will be greatly compromised first and formost. And secondly it will reduce your fuel economy on the mother ship.

 

[lobstercatcher]

For some reason I really like the design and look of lobster boats. I live in Norway but I'm from the Boston area. I thought it would be a fun project to sail a lobster boat from Boston over to Norway. The biggest challenge seems to be the fuel. My neighbor at my parents house is a retired boat mechanic and he seems pretty confident I could make the boat weather worthy but doubts I could carry enough fuel and my brother suggested using a kite to save fuel: http://www.thefutureisawesome.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/cargo-ship-kite-02.jpg

I think it is a project I might attempt in 5-7 years and there is a lot of discussion about whether it would be better to try and go from Newfoundland over to Ireland or make some stops in Greenland and/or Iceland for refueling. I was also thinking about towing a small sailboat and packing it with a bunch of fuel tanks.

What is the typical fuel consumption for a lobster boat and do you know any ways of reducing it? How much fuel do you think is needed? How many gallons of fuel can a lobster boat hold?

Some designs are more efficient than others. Speed is also a major factor.
I think you would try to decide what you might want for size and go from there. About the best I do is 7 mpg and the worst is probably 1.75 mpg. You probably could do a wheel pitch for higher speed lower fuel consumption for the trip. It may not be that hard to get a 30 % fuel savings at 12 kts. Re wheel once you get there.

 

[jerseysportfisher]

Al Grover 1985

Groverbuilt Boats

 

[greg]

There are of course trans atlantic haulers. They basically put a few dozen yachts on a cargo ship and sail them across. Some are float on/off designs.

It's pricey, but a lot of peace of mind there.

Of course, adventure for its own sake is another thing entirely.

 

[Stagleton]

woah, thanks for your thoughts everyone!

@Pedlyr I read about them a couple of days ago. I bet they have some really useful information. Thanks for the link!

@Stinkpot I would love for people to come along, but I am a bit nervous about being responsible for other people. Would if we each had our own boat so we could share the risk? Anyway, I would like to try this in 5-7 years; we can talk if you are still interested in the trip in a couple years

@Tumblehome I think you're right. Looking at the video from Pedlyr I can imagine the boat behind being a huge problem.

@Lobstercatcher do you have some links for more efficient designs or more info on saving fuel at 12 kts?

@Jerseysportfisher thanks! looks like some really useful info there

@greg I wouldn't be able to do that. Adventure is a big part of this; maybe a 1/3 life crisis? (not trying to set any records though; it's just for my own enjoyment) Hopefully it doesn't turn into the end.

 

[F/V First Team]

Can't remember the company name, but there is a Holland based fabrication shop that has the Northern Bay 38 mold. Why sail across the pond when you can get what you want already over there?

Just a thought

 

[05bill]

For some reason I really like the design and look of lobster boats. I live in Norway but I'm from the Boston area. I thought it would be a fun project to sail a lobster boat from Boston over to Norway. The biggest challenge seems to be the fuel. My neighbor at my parents house is a retired boat mechanic and he seems pretty confident I could make the boat weather worthy but doubts I could carry enough fuel and my brother suggested using a kite to save fuel: http://www.thefutureisawesome.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/cargo-ship-kite-02.jpg

I think it is a project I might attempt in 5-7 years and there is a lot of discussion about whether it would be better to try and go from Newfoundland over to Ireland or make some stops in Greenland and/or Iceland for refueling. I was also thinking about towing a small sailboat and packing it with a bunch of fuel tanks.

What is the typical fuel consumption for a lobster boat and do you know any ways of reducing it? How much fuel do you think is needed? How many gallons of fuel can a lobster boat hold?

Did you ever do this ,if so , please relate experience ???

 

[Brooksie]

Unless you are planning on refueling along the way, you assuredly need to proceed at hull speed. The saying " a planing boat can't carry enough fuel to get out of sight" has more than a grain of truth to it. If you are going to travel at hull speed, then a displacement hull can 1) carry more weight (fuel) 2) operate at hull speed more efficiently 3) be more seaworthy.
For instance, a Willard 36 made the trip from CA to HI without refueling. And without replacing any of it's 6500 lbs of ballast with fuel.

 

[ARC]

11 year old post. I think he’s still out there

 

[Brooksie]

Oh my, did not notice. Hope he made it

 

[AJ2020]

He must not have made it

 

[kehoff]

I need to paint the foyer but I would rather cross the atlantic !

 

[ARC]

I need to paint the foyer but I would rather cross the atlantic !

That’s funny . I’m painting a bathroom and I would rather row the Atlantic

 

[Ernie]

I think the shortest distance across Newfoundland to the Azores