Dragonfly by the numbers

We’re taking a break from cruising to do some other travel, so I thought that a recap of our Great Loop so far would be interesting. Since leaving home 78 days ago, we’ve gone 1,773 miles, broken down as follows:

Mississippi River: 845 miles

Ohio River: 58 miles 

Cumberland River: 33 miles

Tennessee River: 720 miles

Tenn-Tom Waterway: 117 miles

Travel days: 54

Average travel day: 33 miles

Nights in marinas: 62 

Nights at free docks: 7

Nights at anchor: 9

Locks transited: 44

States visited: 9

Fuel consumed: 237 gallons

Fuel economy: 7.5 mpg

Fuel capacity: 28 gallon

Fuel range: 210 miles

Water usage: 3-4 gal/day

Water capacity: 20 gallons

Boat length: 26 feet

Boat beam: 7 feet

Boat draft: 5 feet (centerboard down), 3 feet (rudders down), 18 inches (everything up)

Boat weight: 3,500 lbs (approx)

Engine: 2023 Suzuki 50 HP outboard

I didn’t want to post without a photo, and many of our readers have never been aboard Dragonfly, so here’s a pic of our helm, with a brief tour: Directly under the steering wheel hub is the outboard tachometer. On the lower right of the steering pedestal are the engine’s ignition key, emergency kill switch, shifter and throttle. In the pouch on the lower left are a knife, whistle and two handheld VHF radios. We keep one radio on channel 16, as required by U.S. law for hailing and distress, with the other normally on channel 13 to communicate with tow captains, or switched to a lockmaster or marina working channel as needed. Directly above the steering wheel hub are power cords, 12V and USB outlets for our instruments. Above the wheel on the left is a Garmin fishfinder, which we use primarily for water depth (we don’t fish). To the right of that is an iPad Mini in a waterproof case, with Aqua Map and iNavx  navigation software, which is backed up on my phone. To the right of the iPad on the bulkhead is a magnetic compass, with a handheld backup stored below. 

We borrowed the marina’s courtesy van today to pick up a rental car for the week. The weather turned stormy, but we hope to do some sightseeing tomorrow.