We have the pre-Rotto Briefing at Burswood tonight - leaving from Rocko - you?

Myself and a mate have been starting to get our gear together since last weekend - were camping overnight.

Doing the Fuel test runs this Saturday, to make sure we have enough for the return trip.

Guestimating 100 litres for a 90HP Mercury, but gonna run 25 litres out on Saturday at WOT, and time it - that should be worst case scenario.

How much fuel do you use to Rotto mate?

Obviously our first time over in my boat..

My first time also. Leaving from Hillarys.

I'm also unsure about the fuel situation. Especially since you'll also be burning a bit of fuel doing the tour of the bays etc. The way I see it you can either:

1) refuel at Rotto before leaving - not sure of cost but assume it to be a bit more than back on the mainland

2) take a spare Jerry can filled up before you go but will depend on how much space you've got on the boat. A typical Jerry can will only be about 20L so more of a top up than anything.

I think for the first time I'll just wear the cost of filling up at the island before leaving. 

Brett

 I asked this question a few months ago in another post, and some of the boys reckon its not the cost over there, more the queueing and availibility of fuel.

My issue will be space, as I am on a 5.5 runabout, taking additional 2 25l tanks for the trip, and 2 10l Jerry cans, so it is starting to become a space weight issue..

Will know more after a good test run though.

Dave

Seems like 100l should do it..

Rotto is about 30km from Rocko, so at 15 to 20 knots, the trip should take around an hour - worst case specs below are 37l/hr at WOT, so should be fine for 100l for the return trip.

The link below also quotes the 1999/2000 ranges tests and fuel consumptions for other brands of motors.

http://www.boatpoint.com.au/content/engine-reviews/2000/outboard-engines-90-130hp-8111

Two-Strokes 

Mercury Marine
In this power range, Mercury offers both carburetted and direct fuel-injection two-strokes with both Mariner and Mercury badging.  The 90 has a three-cylinder, loopcharged powerhead that displaces 1386cc, the largest displacement of any three-cylinder 90.

There are three single-barrel carbies and oil injection, which varies from 50:1 at Wide Open Throttle (WOT) to 100:1 at Dead Slow Troll (DST).  The oil is mixed with petrol at the fuel pump, ensuring the carbies receive oil for throttle butterfly lubrication.  Both long and XL models are available and the gear ratio is 2. 3:1.  The longshaft version weighs 139kg.  Fitted to a 5.5m aluminium cuddy cabin and spinning a 22-inch pitch Hi-Five prop, the test motor averaged 47kmh on 4000 revs consuming 17lt/hr, while the WOT average was 70kmh on 5500 revs and using 37lt/hr.  At time of writing (September 1999), the 90 long retailed for $11,000.

Mine is a 250 etec behind a 24ft Savage. Twelve months ago, we did the convoy, did the bays and circumnavigated the island in the process, and got back the next day and used 85lt. You will rarely do above 15kn and most of the bays are five knots so fuel is used sparingly.
Went to the meeting tonight. Turns out there are 45 boats coming on this convoy. Close to a record! Will be a cracker of a Saturday night for sure.
Hope the weather gods are nice!!!

Great to meet some of the guys (& gal) running the convoy at the briefing meeting last night. I found it very informative and by the size of the crowd it looks like it's going to be a busy day.

See you on the 7th Dave & David.

Brett 

 I googled it and the last few years have had around 40 people and 10 boats..

Seems like the 45 boats this year will be great.

Nice getting together and having a chat about the trip. looks like it will be a fun weekend, by the crowd last night..

Seems I am the only one leaving from rocko, and will have two big escort boats along with me, so not con cerned at all anymore. LOL!

Catch up with you guys on the weekend..

 Is it too late to sign up?

There was one guy at my table last night who hadn't registered yet and was doing it today. I'd suggest giving them a call today 9227 7899.

biawa.asn.au/pages/rottnest-safety-convoy-2 

 wanted to of one of these but my current boat is 200mm to short, damn 5m rule

So the forecast is looking very ordinary for the convoy this weekend. Almost a repeat of the last one in March which was cancelled due to bad weather.

So we are now going on the 28th. Hopefully, the weather will be good to us this weekend. Fingers crossed.

 Hey David - I've had my fingers crossed but I don't think it's helping - the forecast for the 28th looks grim 

No, Saturday is looking good, it is the Sunday which is dubious. Wouldn't want to be heading back to Mandurah in anything over 15 knots.

Bleicester,

Did you go and if so, did you come up and see me at the quiz night? I hope all those that did go had a fantastic time and that the weather didn't deter too many from going? I had a great time as usual and the Obsession once again proved what a fantastic boat she is.

 No we didn't go. Already booked for March 2016.

Although I was kicking myself in the morning when drove down to the beach as the trip over looked like it would been quite good. The wind didn't pick up untill quite a bit later than forecast.

How was the Sunday trip back?

The wind only became an issue on Sunday morning. We left fairly early for a convoy and headed back around eight thirty. We had 1.5 to 2.5m waves travelling with us on the way back to Hillarys and for my boat that was not an issue. The eighteen footer in front of me also handled well even though he was only running on five cylinders due to a failed injector on his Optimax. Only one boat had to be towed back and thanks to Whitfords Sea Rescue he also got back safe and sound. It was great also having the boys and girls from both Whitfords and Fremantle SR escorting us over on Saturday.

 Looking forward to finally heading across this weekend. I'll be in your group David so see you there.