Most distance in 24 hours by PDQ 36

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Kitehawaii
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Most distance in 24 hours by PDQ 36

Post by Kitehawaii »

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone knows what speed you can expect to sail pushing a PDQ 36 and just sailing comfortably in Blue Water.

Thanks
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jak430
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Re: Most distance in 24 hours by PDQ 36

Post by jak430 »

There are too many variables to forecast a number. We logged 170 NM one 24 hour day coming down the Pacific side of Baja on our PDQ32. It was a downwind ride that held up most of the day. We had a double reef so we could have 'pushed it' and logged more. Saftey is the key as you do not want to get caught overpowered. For the entire 1000 miles we averaged 5 knots which we can do under power if the winds die or move dead ahead, which seems to happen more times than not. The main thing is to not be on a schedule and enjoy!
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Page 83
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Re: Most distance in 24 hours by PDQ 36

Post by Page 83 »

Let's divide this question into spectrums. There is the fun and safe, Don't spill the paella range [FSDSP], which slightly overlaps the exhilarating, we'll clean that up later range [EXCTL]. Next comes the strip the boat we're trophy bound range [SBWTB]. These are the voluntary spectra. Again there is an overlap into the two involuntary spectra: the I got here by mistake range [IGHBM], and the I'm never gonna do that again range [INGTA]. There is, of course, the last spectrum, terminal velocity [OSwGD]. Specific examples abound, but some degree of anonymity will be needed to hear about the involuntary and terminal velocity experiences.
For the sake of discussion, I will define these stages more precisely:

Spectrum: FSDSP
Scenario: Reef by the book, avoid bad weather
speed range: 3/4 wind speed, up to 8 knots
consequences: Arrive intact and happy

Spectrum: EXCTL
Scenario: Nudge the envelope, calm the crew
Speed Range: a little faster
Consequences: You've had fun, they didn't

Spectrum: SBWTB
Scenario: No water, no gas, no toys, no food
Speed Range: 8-12 knots
Consequences: Luck matters more than skill

Spectrum: IGHBM
Scenario: Caught out in high winds and no waves
Speed Range: 14 knots
Consequences: Don?t tell anybody, especially not your insurance agent or significant other.

Spectrum: INGTA
Scenario: Caught out in high winds, can't reef, pressed on out of sheer stupidity, didn't break anything somehow.
Speed Range: 14- 18 knots
Consequences: Gray hair overnight, alienated entire crew, your name scratched on bathroom walls at yacht club with disheartening remarks.

Spectrum: OSwGD

Scenario: Gale force winds, high seas, bad decisions, bad results
Speed Range: You are first to arrive at the scene of the accident
Consequences: Broke boat. Broke bones. Broke your insurance agent's heart. Sleeping on couch, either yours or a friend's
Sandy Daugherty "Page 83" PDQ 36026
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PDQ-Dave
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Re: Most distance in 24 hours by PDQ 36

Post by PDQ-Dave »

The PDQ is a fast boat even loaded for cruising. More than anything, pulling significant daily runs comes down to willing and able crew. The boat can go fast for sure, easily accelerating from 7 knots to 12+ knots off the wind in surfing conditions. Check out this video of our old PDQ36/39 sailing downwind in 15-25 knots of true wind with boat speed of... you'll have to watch the video to find out.
Even before I added the 3' hull extensions I hit 16.7 STW (Speed Through Water) with no surfing involved. I was sailing on the Chesapeake in light airs with a full main and mast head spinnaker when a downdraft quickly accelerated the boat to 16.7 knots.. at least that was the last time I looked at the speedo as I was getting a bit nervous and my full attention turned to handling the boat as I gently turned her downwind. The turn minimized the building apparent wind, but the ride didn't last long as the spinnaker soon exploded! Not sure what the max speed was at the peak, but approaching scary fast with the bows pressing deeply and the spray a flying. Note: This video is from 2008, so you may have already seen it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g05pyx6nYFo
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thinwater
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Re: Most distance in 24 hours by PDQ 36

Post by thinwater »

I proud (reluctant) to say I've experienced all of these ranges on one boat or another.

After a single (sometimes several) OSwGD smart folks have no interest in anything beyond EXCTL, become very skilled at avoiding higher ranges, and don't brag about subsequent experiences (mistakes). Curiously, these ranges don't have that much to do with windspeed.
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"Rigging Modern Anchors,"Seaworthy Press, https://www.amazon.com/Rigging-Modern-A ... 1948494078
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Re: Most distance in 24 hours by PDQ 36

Post by PDQ-Dave »

Really?
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thinwater
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Re: Most distance in 24 hours by PDQ 36

Post by thinwater »

I was referring to Page 83's ranges. They are figurative and relate more to the "expereince" than any wind speed. A good humorous post.

Nope, never blown a spinnaker or any other sail. Sounds expensive.

Saw over 20 knots knots on the speedo a number of times on my Stiletto, and I would never claim it was either good seamanship or smart. I will not brag about what speeds I've hit with my PDQ because I believe it would be stupid for anyone to compete. Any time I've spent much over 12 knots was ill conceived, though nothing bad has happened. Yes, it requires some sailing skill to go fast, but more to the point it requires luck. A bad gust, a wave with a hollow behind it, and things get expensive and someone gets hurt. Really, for most of us, wild experiences are more wisely confined to beach cats. You just get wet. Or to quote (and expand upon) Page 83's wit and wisdom:

"Spectrum: FSDSP
Scenario: Reef by the book, avoid bad weather
speed range: 3/4 wind speed, up to 8 knots
consequences: Arrive intact and happy, and with your family still speaking to you."
Writing full time since 2014.
"Rigging Modern Anchors,"Seaworthy Press, https://www.amazon.com/Rigging-Modern-A ... 1948494078
Book Store. http://sail-delmarva.blogspot.com/2017/ ... store.html
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PDQ-Dave
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Re: Most distance in 24 hours by PDQ 36

Post by PDQ-Dave »

Looking quickly at the log book for a trip from New England to Guatemala and back to Florida... we averaged about 135nm per day on our PDQ36/39. Our average speed reflects a double handed crew, conservative sail plan (mostly regular sail), conservative weather windows that focused on safe comfortable passage making and a low stress set it and forget it attitude aboard. We rarely cracked off anything over 150nm on a sustained 24 hour run and 170nm+ was exceptional. We sail at least one or two notches lower/slower than the slowest level Page 83 outlined above.

Thinwater, I think it's great that you had your 20' sport cat going 20 once, but that's probably more interesting to Short Cat Syndrome [SCS] sailors on a beach cat forum. :lol: Just kidding! I used to have a few beach cats when I was a kid too.

Seriously though Thinwater, you have a PDQ32 right?
Have you sailed your PDQ32 more than 24 hours non-stop?
IF so, whip out the PDQ32 log book and fire up a new thread on the PDQ32 forum.

Let's try to get this thread back on topic... "Most distance in 24 hours by a PDQ36"
Dave Kane
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http://www.PDQ36.blogspot.com
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thinwater
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Re: Most distance in 24 hours by PDQ 36

Post by thinwater »

For purposes of introduction, I've had a PDQ 32 for 4 years. I put perhaps 1500 miles per year on her, generally with at least one 500 miles cruise. I once sailed a 150 mile passage in a bit less than 24 hours. Perfect reaching weather; in the full range of weather, the average would certainly be less. No, I'm not bluewater sailor; my typical day is 35-65 miles.

I have sailed along side PDQ36s; the speed difference is small from a cruisers viewpoint and in moderate conditions boils down a clean bottom, sail trim, and who is actually trying.

The high speed numbers were on a Stiletto 27 x 14 beam. They never made a 20' boat. Whether that boat had more in common with a beach cat than a cruiser is both interesting and rather off topic. The primary cruising characteristic is that capsize is NOT an option.

Gosh, I was just responding to Page 83's light hearted post; I know him and hoped he would enjoy the friendly needling.
Writing full time since 2014.
"Rigging Modern Anchors,"Seaworthy Press, https://www.amazon.com/Rigging-Modern-A ... 1948494078
Book Store. http://sail-delmarva.blogspot.com/2017/ ... store.html
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