I want a fuel-sipping cuddy!!

[laserbrn]

Re: I want a fuel-sipping cuddy!!

The real question is - why in the world would anyone want a cuddy and if they did, what would they want it for? Surely not to sleep in . . .

Yeah, I'm not sure what you're getting at with this. Of course people want a cuddy to sleep in. When I take off and head 20 miles offshore to an island I'd like to have a place to spend the night.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: I want a fuel-sipping cuddy!!

The real question is - why in the world would anyone want a cuddy and if they did, what would they want it for? Surely not to sleep in . . .

Some people think camping is a motor home with HDTV and air conditioning.
Others think camping is a sleeping bag on the bare ground, and a two man tent is luxury accommodations.

A cuddy is much nicer than a two man tent!

 

[sam60]

Re: I want a fuel-sipping cuddy!!

Why do people want to go fast when getting away from going fast?

 

[spoilsofwar]

Re: I want a fuel-sipping cuddy!!

A cuddy is much nicer than a two man tent!

THIS.

Sunsetrider might be the guy who can't go camping without the air mattress in the tent, cause the ground is not perfectly smooth, and can't stay camping cause there's no hot water or central air, I think.

 

[QC]

Re: I want a fuel-sipping cuddy!!

Why do people want to go fast when getting away from going fast?

Because it's fun

 

[jonmyrlebailey]

Re: I want a fuel-sipping cuddy!!

To crap in in total privacy and stow extra stuff.

 

[04fxdwgi]

Re: I want a fuel-sipping cuddy!!

It's surprisingly not as bad as you'd think. I have a 25 foot cuddy with an oval port 454 as well, and have topped out at 53 MPH with a light load and perfect conditions. I also have a fuel flow meter that alos computes MPG in real time and can tell you that you were getting just over 2 MPG. You motor is only burning about 24 GPH at WOT and 13-18 GPH at cruise. At a cruising speed of 30-40 MPH, you are probably, like me, getting 2.4 to 2.8 MPG, depending on load and conditions. WOT does not hurt MPG as drastically as most people think it does.

Going 18 MPH in rough water yields me 1.8 MPG. Towing 7 kids on three tubes at 20 MPH yields me 1.4 MPG. Going 7 MPH yields me 2.4 MPG ( I'm actually more efficient getting in plane and going 32 MPH than I am and 7 MPH).

Thanx for the input............ I am actaually pretty pleased with the fuel consumption on my boat. She is 25 1/2 feet, 5,300 lbs dry w/ the 7.4 L Bravo-1 w/ a 83 gallon tank. The boat has over 1300 hours on the origional engine and drive. Your consumption figures seem pretty much in line with what I'm seeing, give or take.

Spent a week on a lake in NH in August, using her constantly joy riding / exploring at nice 25-30 mph speed, lots of no wake speed time, the now and again full power run (sure made the 10 mile cross lake journey in a hurry), pulling a tube for a while almost every day and used less than 120 gallons of fuel (to my surprise) all week. Never attempted to calculate, as it would have been a huge PITA with so many variables... But, it equates to 17 gallons per day (120 gallons used in 7 days) and we were on the water alot.

Can run 40-45 miles, up the Hudson River and back, using around 35 gallons, give or take, at just around 30 mph thru water speed. Boat / engine loves the <> 30 mph speed (thru water), as it seems to be the sweet spot for fuel consumption / comfort.

The comments I made about fuel in the 1st post were pretty much "tongue in cheek" attempts in engineer type dry humor. When it's all said and done, if I were so concerned about fuel consumption, I would have no business owning a fairly large cuddy sport type boat powered by a BBC able to hit 50 + mph, like this one. LOL

 

[04fxdwgi]

Re: I want a fuel-sipping cuddy!!

The real question is - why in the world would anyone want a cuddy and if they did, what would they want it for? Surely not to sleep in . . .

Lemme see.... Stove, fridge/ice box, sinks (galley and head) with running water, fully enclosed head (for wife and her girl friends), "V" birth, if needed, for sleeping and "what ever", lots of storage. And finally, that's what we wanted..... LOL... Never was a fan of an open bow boats, but that's just me, as I have been in too much "mean water" in my time and like a closed bow. As they say, to each his own.

Actually, not that bad for sleeping. Lots more comfortable and dryer than on the ground when shored for the night, with far fewer bugs trying to eat you all night long. Also have the full camper enclosure, but have never used it, but it is there just incase.

 

[BlueLightSpecial]

Re: I want a fuel-sipping cuddy!!

All I will say is this. I didn't buy a boat to save on gas. Truthfully I would have bought a twin 454 offshore scarab if I knew I could afford the fuel. Mine is a 21' 350/4bbl mercruiser. I don't worry about fuel, cause I can afford the fuel. Being able to afford a boat isn't just about what boat you can afford to buy. Its also about what you can afford to feed and what you can afford to maintain. It comes down to money well wasted. How much money can you afford to waste... Although it's not really "wasted" if it makes you happy and gives you a break from reality.

 

[04fxdwgi]

Re: I want a fuel-sipping cuddy!!

All I will say is this. I didn't buy a boat to save on gas. Truthfully I would have bought a twin 454 offshore scarab if I knew I could afford the fuel. Mine is a 21' 350/4bbl mercruiser. I don't worry about fuel, cause I can afford the fuel. Being able to afford a boat isn't just about what boat you can afford to buy. Its also about what you can afford to feed and what you can afford to maintain. It comes down to money well wasted. How much money can you afford to waste... Although it's not really "wasted" if it makes you happy and gives you a break from reality.

Funny you say that..... See a ton of "Dock Queens" where somone buys a boat they can barely afford, for the "Wow Effect" of having a luxurious cruiser. And after dock fees, maintenance just to keep it afloat, insurance and payments, they can't afford fuel. When they do go out, they can't get on plane because of all the hair / growth on the hull from sitting tied up all season and can't afford the haul out to clean the bottom.

Never could figure that one out, myself.

 

[Sunsetrider]

Re: I want a fuel-sipping cuddy!!

Lemme see.... Stove, fridge/ice box, sinks (galley and head) with running water, fully enclosed head (for wife and her girl friends), "V" birth, if needed, for sleeping and "what ever", lots of storage..

Well that's more like it and it doesn't spell "cuddy" to me! lol When I think of cuddy I think terror and claustrophobia. I prefer to sleep on deck than in a cuddy with 12 inches of clearance over my head. But that's just me I guess. It seems to me that most cuddies are used for storage rather than napping. But my experience is limited.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: I want a fuel-sipping cuddy!!

Lemme see.... Stove, fridge/ice box, sinks (galley and head) with running water, fully enclosed head (for wife and her girl friends), "V" birth, if needed, for sleeping and "what ever", lots of storage...

I think you just described your Chaparral 2550, NOT a Cuddy!
NO Stove, Fridge, Sink, Galley, Running Water or Fully Enclosed Head!

A Cuddy has a couple of "V Berth/Seats to Sit/Sleep on and a Porta-Potty on the floor between them, That's It!
But it is still much nicer than a Two Man Tent!

 

[04fxdwgi]

Re: I want a fuel-sipping cuddy!!

I think you just described your Chaparral 2550, NOT a Cuddy!
NO Stove, Fridge, Sink, Galley, Running Water or Fully Enclosed Head!

A Cuddy has a couple of "V Berth/Seats to Sit/Sleep on and a Porta-Potty on the floor between them, That's It!
But it is still much nicer than a Two Man Tent!

Actually, my 2550 SX is a cuddy with all the above mention ammentities, either from the factory or added later. Haven't a clue as to which boat you are taliking about. She certainly isn't a cabin cruiser by any means or stretch of the imagination, but a cuddy cabin sport boat, as you can see from the pic, just not a 21' or smaller "tight" cuddy. Oh yeah, forgot to mention the dining table, too. LOL

Cuddy defined: (Google is your friend)
A small cabin or the cook's galley on a ship. A Cuddy boat is a boat with a small cabin with maybe a small galley and small head. It may have a small berth also. Normally the Cuddy is not tall enough to stand in. "Cuddy Cabin", while a redundant term (Cuddy itself means cabin), is a common term among small boaters.

A Cuddy boat is popular with people who want a little shelter and storage space but do not want to upgrade to a full cabin boat.

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: I want a fuel-sipping cuddy!!

The real question is - why in the world would anyone want a cuddy and if they did, what would they want it for? Surely not to sleep in . . .

I sleep in mine all the time. I also like having a closed bow for rough water.

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: I want a fuel-sipping cuddy!!

Well that's more like it and it doesn't spell "cuddy" to me! lol When I think of cuddy I think terror and claustrophobia. I prefer to sleep on deck than in a cuddy with 12 inches of clearance over my head. But that's just me I guess. It seems to me that most cuddies are used for storage rather than napping. But my experience is limited.

My cuddy is also a 25 footer, so it has a big cabin that sleeps 4 and is very comfy.

 

[04fxdwgi]

Re: I want a fuel-sipping cuddy!!

My cuddy is also a 25 footer, so it has a big cabin that sleeps 4 and is very comfy.

Would have to be 4 smallish VERY good friends to sleep 4 in mine. HAHAHAHA. And as defined, I surely can't stand up in her.

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: I want a fuel-sipping cuddy!!

Thanx for the input............ I am actaually pretty pleased with the fuel consumption on my boat. She is 25 1/2 feet, 5,300 lbs dry w/ the 7.4 L Bravo-1 w/ a 83 gallon tank. The boat has over 1300 hours on the origional engine and drive. Your consumption figures seem pretty much in line with what I'm seeing, give or take.

Spent a week on a lake in NH in August, using her constantly joy riding / exploring at nice 25-30 mph speed, lots of no wake speed time, the now and again full power run (sure made the 10 mile cross lake journey in a hurry), pulling a tube for a while almost every day and used less than 120 gallons of fuel (to my surprise) all week. Never attempted to calculate, as it would have been a huge PITA with so many variables... But, it equates to 17 gallons per day (120 gallons used in 7 days) and we were on the water alot.

Can run 40-45 miles, up the Hudson River and back, using around 35 gallons, give or take, at just around 30 mph thru water speed. Boat / engine loves the <> 30 mph speed (thru water), as it seems to be the sweet spot for fuel consumption / comfort.

What lake in NH? We boat on Winnipesaukee all the time. I intend to take mine on the Hudson eventually.

Mine likes 32 MPH for fuel consumption, but the stepped hull seems happiest above 40 MPH. I'd like to increase the power enough to have a 40 MPH cruising speed at 3200 RPM. Thinking procharger... Not really concerned with top speed. I suspect the MPG at 40 MPH would be close to what it is now at 32 MPH, if the engine RPM could be lower.

My boat is 2550 as well, but it's a Regal. It has about 500 hours on the 7.4 MPI

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: I want a fuel-sipping cuddy!!

It would appear that, contrary to common expectations, to qualify as a Cuddy, the only requirement is that the cabin is too short to stand in.

< 5ft head room = Cuddy
> 6ft head room = Cabin

All other amenities, Head, Sink,, Fridge, Galley, TV, AC, etc. don't enter into the definition.

 

[QC]

Re: I want a fuel-sipping cuddy!!

I also like having a closed bow for rough water.

I TOTALLY agree with that. One you have poked one with a bow rider you will understand this

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: I want a fuel-sipping cuddy!!

It would appear that, contrary to common expectations, to qualify as a Cuddy, the only requirement is that the cabin is too short to stand in.

< 5ft head room = Cuddy
> 6ft head room = Cabin


All other amenities, Head, Sink,, Fridge, Galley, TV, AC, etc. don't enter into the definition.

Mine's got 6'3" of headroom. Still a cuddy though. Regal made a cabin cruiser of about the same length the same year. That had a galley. Mine does not, the fridge is in the cockpit.