Assistance: seeking boat passage info for novel

[rjmacready]

I am an author seeking some assistance with basic info re: boat trip from Key Largo, FL to the Bahamas.

3-4 people are to boat as quickly as realistically possible (good weather, departing at night, no glitches) from Key Largo, FL to Norman's Cay (northern Exumas) in the Bahamas. Approx. 250 NM. How long could this take? Any suggestions on a boat they would use that is 65'? (Is a 33' boat realistic for this crossing?) It is 1980.

Thank you very much in advance for info/feedback!
~R.J.

[Herreshoff]

Hi there,

A 33' boat seems realistic enough. 65' is a big boat and therefor generally expensive so depending how wealthy the characters sailing/owning the boat are the expense of such a boat might seem unrealistic. In the 80's the cruising yachts were generally smaller then they are today however any size between 33-65 would be possible. I would suggest, from a sailing point of view, that between 36' and 48' would make the most sense.
The time it takes to do 250nm will depend entirely on the size of the boat.
A 33' would make 90-110 mn on a good day (24hrs) while a 65' could possible cover 180-220nm a day(24hrs). I'd be more than happy to help out with any more details. Peaceandplentysailing@gmail.com

[StuM]

Sail boat or motor boat?

1970-80s was the era of fast drug running boats in the area. They could do the trip in 5-6 hours on a good night.

[rjmacready]

Herreshoff and StuM,

Thank you! I forgot to add that this is definitely a power boat. Indeed, they would have access to the best boat available to make this crossing quickly.

So: a 33' power boat w/ a competent captain (3-4 people onboard total) could do this 250nm crossing (good weather/across a smooth night) in 5-6 hours?

Thanks again guys, great help.

[boatman61]

Think Cigarette Boat..

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Think Cigarette Boat..

Like this

http://teamspeed.com/forums/performa...ette-boat.html

Minus the garmin chartplotter of course.

[CaptRory]

I have gone from Ft. Lauderdale to Marsh Habor in a 28 ft open fisherman in 6 hours. It was a flotilla, stopping to jump in for a pee and a quick beer. It was a bouncy crossing at 40 mph and the best place to be was in the bean bag chair at the transom.

[belizesailor]

In the 1980's quick runs between FL and Bahamas were VERY common.

I suggest you read "Cocaine Wars", Google "Blue Thunder" and read up on the history of Norman's Key.

If you are going to get it right in your book then you need to know the drug industry culture of the Bahamas in that era...drug running was the primary industry of the Bahamas.

[belizesailor]

Maybe they could make the run on a restored surplus Blue Thunder....that would be cool.

http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/199...vice-smugglers

[skipmac]

As other's noted, power or sail? Speedboat or yacht? Also size and draft could have an impact as a deep draft will have to take a longer route to get around the shallow Bahama Banks.

[rjmacready]

belizesailor; I have read that book, and many like it. Very familiar with the drug running happening at this time.

skipmac; Replied above - power. The speedboat/cigarette boat would work, but prefer a faster (approx. 33') yacht to get them there; 5-8hrs travel time spread would work. (?)

Thanks for the info guys.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by rjmacready

belizesailor; I have read that book, and many like it. Very familiar with the drug running happening at this time.

skipmac; Replied above - power. The speedboat/cigarette boat would work, but prefer a faster (approx. 33') yacht to get them there; 5-8hrs travel time spread would work. (?)

Thanks for the info guys.

Find me a 33ft yacht faster than this..

. The 38-foot Top Gun Cigarette Racing hull is powered by an AMG electric drive pumping out 2,220 horsepower (1,656 kW) and 2,210 ft-lb (3,000 Nm) of torque for a top speed in excess of 100 mph (160 km/h or over 86 knots).

[rjmacready]

boatman61; Regrets, I did not mean, or expect, the yacht to be faster than a speed/cigarette. Even 8hrs travel time would be acceptable. Thx!

[boatman61]

ROFL..!! just yanking your chain..
Merry Christmas..

[HopCar]

How about a Bertram 31? They have a good turn of speed and if you don't mind getting wet, they handle rough water pretty well.

With big gas engines they would top 30 knots which just about makes your 8 hours.
Probably wouldn't have much fuel left when they got there.

People would often extended the range of their boats with rubber fuel bladders. Back in the late seventies and early eighties I sold a bunch of bladder tanks and got paid in twenties. They usually bought a #410 Nautical Chart as well. Their favorite brand was Aero Tech Labs.
Marine Gas/Diesel/JP-8 Fuel Bladder Tanks and FueLockers for Extended Range

Bertrams have a Florida connection as they were built in Miami.
Bertram 31's Around The World

Bertram 31 Specifications