Newbie heading to the B.E.E.R Cruise! Questions?

justsomeguy · Apr 21, 2014

With all those boats "close by", perhaps the rules of the road should be of high priority?

Put simply, that red and green light on the bow can act as a traffic light of sorts when converging with another boat.

$0.02

RECESS · Apr 21, 2014

You are required to have charts. You can print them from NOAA

http://ocsdata.ncd.noaa.gov/BookletChart/GulfCoastBookletCharts.htm

A hand held radio is fine. iPad or smart phone with Navionics US Coastal and Lakes will be enough for this cruise, you will be with a bunch of boats.

Look over the required safety items needed in Florida waters. You may get inspected. Make sure you have all your boat registration and trailer registration with you.

Make sure you have a porta potty.

Find an experienced sailor with a similar speed sailboat and stay near them.

Have fun.

RECESS · Apr 21, 2014

Being in a large groups of boats and wanting to anchor close to shore, make sure you have at least two anchors and ground tackle for both.

Bill Roosa · Apr 21, 2014

If you can't read a chart........
please don't get out of sight of land. If you are planning on following the other boats make sure you are not the shortest (and slowest) one. Not a recommended practice in any case.
Your the Captain and responsible for all souls on board. What happens if there if fog?, you have a malfunction/accident and have to stop to fix it? You can't keep up because the other boats are faster? A whole host of things come to mind that could result in you having to navigate. I would note that Mr. Murphy says "GPS craps out when you need it most".
Learning to navigate and read charts is not that hard BTW.

LANCE ON CLOUD NINE · Apr 21, 2014

fire extinguisher, extra fuel line with connectors, a good knife with saw ability tethered to you life jacket, a solar panel to charge a car battery to charge your hand held electronics, paddles, light extra line to make any lashing repairs, duct tape, and most important for comfort - a bimini or the ability to completely cover yourself with long sleeves, pants and hat.

Rick Webb · May 13, 2014

Anchor

A Danforth type anchor is just fine anywhere down here. I use a Fortress, the only issue is if they break loose they may have a hard time resetting themselves. If you attach 10' or 15' of chain you'll likely be fine.

Bug spray will be very important this year as with all the rain we have had the skeeters are awful very numerous and aggressive.

Id suggest the Navionics app with your IPad or IPhone The navigation is not complicated and you'll be with other boats so paper charts are an expense that I'd put in the luxury column for this trip.

Make sure you have a Daytime and Nighttime Visual Distress Signals a pack of the handheld flares will do fine. Here is a good check to make sure you have all the things that the Coast Guard Requires

It is a great bunch of guys who do this cruise and they will all be happy to help guide you.

Message me through this site and hopefully I can give you any other info you need.

Rick Webb · May 13, 2014

Bimmini

You are going to want one sooner or later. Helpful with the rain sometimes too.

When I put mine on I wondered why I waited so long.

MrBill_FLL · May 13, 2014

get: boats us, unlimited towing endorsement.

if you have trouble, call and ask for a tow. -cheap insurance.

-you can get by with just a hat for now. a misting sprayer helps.

RECESS · May 13, 2014

HillbillyWanderer said:
What type of anchors would I need for Pensacola waters? Ground tackle? Guess most sailors know this but I really have a lot to learn. Is ground tackle some type anchor for the shore? See lots of swing keel boats tied up very close to the beach. What system will I need for that?

Ground tackle just refers to the chain and anchor. Two danforths are fine. Like Rick said 10' to 15' of chain will be good. The chain keeps the anchor at the right angle in the sand so you do not drag it. It also acts as a shock absorber for small tugs from the boat so your anchor is not constantly being tugged at.

Charlie Jones s/v Tehani · May 13, 2014

Having now done four BEER Cruises- First you will NEVER be out of sight of the shore. ALL sailing is in Santa Rosa Sound, Pensacola Bay or Big Lagoon. You will have land in easy sight on both side every day.

A VHF would be handy. They generally pick a talking channel, usually 68 or 69

No, you don't need a chartplotter. I use a hand held GPS- works fine, but it'll all be line of sight sailing anyway. Unless it rains hard- then head for one shore or the other and anchor til it stops. Of course, last year it seemed to never stop.

Depth sounder? not a bad idea, but the water is generally clear so you can see shallow water.

Two Danforths will be fine. At several of the anchorages, you'll have one out in deeper water and the other up on shore. Sand Island in particular. Kick up the rudder, snug in close and wade back and forth

A Bimini is a really nice thing. I'd swap my mainsail before giving mine up, but for one trip a wide brimmed hat and loose long sleeves will work. And sunscreen.

Charts? You can print out the charts free in booklet form from NOAA, and put them in a 3 ring binder. Here's a link to the NOAA Booklet charts page. You'll have to figure out which ones are for Santa Rosa and P'cola Bay.

http://www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/staff/BookletChart.html

Enjoy Cajun John's cooking, and enjoy the partying on the docks at PSMC the day before. And have fun.

Charlie Jones s/v Tehani · May 14, 2014

You'll have a great time. And remember- it has been done by someone sailing a Stevenson Weekender (16 feet) with his son along, AND a fellow sailing (and sleeping aboard) an 8 foot dinghy

Sanman · May 14, 2014

TSBB 2 said:
Having now done four BEER Cruises- First you will NEVER be out of sight of the shore. ALL sailing is in Santa Rosa Sound, Pensacola Bay or Big Lagoon. You will have land in easy sight on both side every day.

A VHF would be handy. They generally pick a talking channel, usually 68 or 69

No, you don't need a chartplotter. I use a hand held GPS- works fine, but it'll all be line of sight sailing anyway. Unless it rains hard- then head for one shore or the other and anchor til it stops. Of course, last year it seemed to never stop.

Depth sounder? not a bad idea, but the water is generally clear so you can see shallow water.

Two Danforths will be fine. At several of the anchorages, you'll have one out in deeper water and the other up on shore. Sand Island in particular. Kick up the rudder, snug in close and wade back and forth

A Bimini is a really nice thing. I'd swap my mainsail before giving mine up, but for one trip a wide brimmed hat and loose long sleeves will work. And sunscreen.

Charts? You can print out the charts free in booklet form from NOAA, and put them in a 3 ring binder. Here's a link to the NOAA Booklet charts page. You'll have to figure out which ones are for Santa Rosa and P'cola Bay.

http://www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/staff/BookletChart.html

Enjoy Cajun John's cooking, and enjoy the partying on the docks at PSMC the day before. And have fun.

Ditto!

This is a GREAT event for new sailors... although there are quite a few "Old Salts" that will be in attendance...
The sailing is easy, the company is quite amicable, and there is always some element of adventure, even though it is all within sight of land.
Just stick with and/or follow the fleet,
Monitor 16 and the fleet freq (hand held VHF is adequate),
STAY OUT OF THE SUN as much as you can, so stay hydrated (it is BRUTAL...a Bimini IS a good Idea),

be aware of the weather and have a plan, double check your anchor and swing radius, and dont be afraid to reset the anchor. We have ALL dragged. But dont be afraid to beach the boat on Sand Island/Sailboat cove...(you have a swing keel, right? and It's ALL sand, just follow the Veterans lead on this )

and above all, have fun and meet people!

Your biggest problem on the BEER cruise is probably going to be keeping enough ice on board.

Newbie heading to the B.E.E.R Cruise! Questions?

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