New to the site: Hello everyone

[Bruce]

how long did it take to cross ? There's fuel available there correct ? at 3-4 gph the math isn't quite working out what am I missing ?

The 2015 crossing was really rough as was the 2013. Our group of boats with skis mixed in took 5.5 hours to cross in 2015. Several boats ran out of fuel and had to borrow from others. A couple of boats were towed in by skis. There was a group of skis that crossed later in the week that reported more than a 7 hour crossing. So you do need to plan to bring plenty of fuel.

 

[robert843]

It all depends on conditions we had pretty crappy conditions the whole time we were there. Overall weather is nice but extremely choppy seas. The crossing took approximately five hours due to the conditions I burned approximately 22 1/2 gallons Per ski on the crossing. The return trip the conditions are much better we made in one hour and 45 minutes and I burn approximately 13 gallons per ski because we where going a little faster. So the conditions are everything. My experience last year I filled the skis up every morning and when we left and they usually took anywhere from 15 to 18 gallons of fuel from the prior day. Yes we were out long days on average we were on the water by nine or 10 AM and we did not return till seven or 8 PM every day. There's not really a lot to do at the resort so most time was spent on the water. These numbers are coming from a 2012 and 2013 model ski both of which had less than 35 hours on them when I left and both had Over 70 hours when I got back to Ft Lauderdale. Sorry don't remember the exact hours I think Kawasaki started at 30hours and ended at 71 the seadoo started at 34 hours and ended at 74. Fuel was more then $5 last year but costs are down this year. I do not know the exact difference in miles per gallon on the two-stroke compared to a four stroke fuel injected ski I have to imagine it's probably 15 to 20% you would have to add. So for a safe crossing I would guess those ski's would want to be carrying 25-30 gallons between the tank and extra fuel. In great conditions they would not need near that much. The best example I can give is the same ski that burnt 22 1/2 gallons on a 56 mile trip across has made 140 mile round-trip up the river and back on 17 gallons. Once again none of this is to discourage somebody on the two stroke Jetski as it is more than completely possible to do just a little more involved but the trip is 100% worth it. I'm still trying to figure out how I can bring the boat and ski's this year as I can't imagine not having a ski over there after doing it on a ski last year.

 

[robert843]

Here is my video crossing with the group last year on a ski.

 

[Chris roehm]

now that makes complete sense