As posted on Power Catamaran List: http://www.trawlersandtrawlering.com/forums/powercatamaranli.html From: Mike Petersen <mike@chrysalisvoyage.com> Date: Sun, 29 Jul 2007 03:06:15 -0700 Subject: [PCW] Chrysalis Crossing For those interested: We recently arrived in the Azores en route to the Med. We left Stuart, Fl in early June and 3.5 days later arrived in Bermuda. At a speed > 10 knots, we were able to get slightly better than 2 mpg, probably around 2.3.(we had some help from the Gulf Stream though) Our trip to Horta took 8.5 days at 9 knots and we were still able to keep our fuel burn to about 2.1 mpg. That was running both engines(Cummins 330B) at approx. 1350 rpm. These times include stopping to bring in a couple of hundred pounds of mahi and wahoo as well as the obligatory half-way swim, so all in all, we were pretty pleased with the performance.(Thanks Malcolm Tennant) As far as fuel goes, in Bermuda, we were able to purchase duty free fuel from the depot for less than what we paid in Florida(2.60/gal). We could get almost the same price here in the Azores but because we burned so little fuel, we still have 500 gal. left and can't take on the minimum here to get duty free(1250 gal). You can track our jouney or read our logbook on our Blog which is clickable on the bottom right corner of our website at http://www.chrysalisvoyage.com . In addition, compare a cat's performance to the Medbound group of Nordhavns which left a week before us from Florida. Their Logbook is at http://www.nordhavn.com/medbound/index.php . They are beautiful boats, but I know my crew(my wife and 2 teenagers) were ready to mutiny after 7 days of nothingness so I was pretty glad to be pulling in in 8.5 rather than 13.5 days. I've talked to many sailors here and they are telling stories of 17-23 days for the journey. Hey, that's why I'm on a power catamaran. There seems to be a level of pride with overcoming various gales etc.. I can understand that but one of the greatest values of a power catamaran is that you can hop in the Azores high off of Bermuda and ride it all the way across. We had < 13 knot winds for the whole trip. Mike Petersen Chrysalis Azores