If planning a long-distance (many days) sea journey, mostly with a fair wind, what is your expected VMG assuming at least minimal crew (2-3) in a 45-ft yacht? Say, route from Cape Flattery to Cabo San Lucas or Southern California to Oahu, etc.
I haven’t done much overnight distance traveling, such as HaHa, or SFB to Long Beach, for example. N2E about what you report; 30 hr in moderate to light average wind for the Bavaria, which is less than 5 kt VMG. Yes. We have predictions based on theoretical hull speed, when achieved; and then there’s what is actually realized in conditions.What's your experience? You have plenty of miles under your keel.
Yes, OK. Maybe generally expect about 5.4 kt VMG in a 45-ft cruising yacht going distance. Maybe less for a yacht under 40 ft even though hull speed limitations are probably not in play for either.On some examination, Rick D.’s response is much better than mine. Cruising marina to marina simply does not compare to an offshore cruise.
Here is Henk Meuzelaar’s answer of 120 to 150 nm per day: Att: Henk Meuzelaar: How Many Miles/Day...
Henk is no longer posting, but he sailed his h-43, Rivendell, 10’s of thousands of miles in the Pacific, and was certainly a great authority on offshore larger Hunters.
However, I suppose the smaller yacht could be limited by its hull speed more of the time than the larger one in best (i.e., not average) wind conditions; thus reducing its VMG to far destinations.Yes. We have predictions based on theoretical hull speed, when achieved; and then there’s what is actually realized in conditions.
You can do this very easily with Windy.comwhat is your expected VMG assuming at least minimal crew (2-3) in a 45-ft yacht? Say, route from Cape Flattery to Cabo San Lucas or Southern California to Oahu, etc.
When I was sailing the Navy 44s, we used 4 kts.what is your expected VMG assuming at least minimal crew (2-3) in a 45-ft yacht?
Definitely! Even under lesser conditions. Hull drag is a continuous function, and “hull speed” is just a point where the slope gets really steep (also where the bow wave length matches the waterline length).However, I suppose the smaller yacht could be limited by its hull speed more of the time than the larger one in best (i.e., not average) wind conditions; thus reducing its VMG to far destinations.