Me and my wife have decided to leave lake Huron and sail through the Erie canal and the intercoastal system to get to Charleston SC. We have a hunter 320 that we have owned for a few years.. We have lived in small spaces for years (drive trucks) so that is not a problem. Just wonder if my lifetime dream might go nightmare in a hurry.
Am i crazy
- Thread starter lanceadams
- Start date
Why would it?
Met an 18 y o girl in the central Bahamas sailing from Maine to Tampa single handed in a 28' sailboat.
You will enjoy the trip very much, assuming your boat is seaworthy.
Have multiple sources of weather prediction and take your time.
Met an 18 y o girl in the central Bahamas sailing from Maine to Tampa single handed in a 28' sailboat.
You will enjoy the trip very much, assuming your boat is seaworthy.
Have multiple sources of weather prediction and take your time.
Just seems like a big move. I'm not a lifetime sailor, only been sailing about seven years. Just became tired of getting out of the boat every winter. Try to be safe but still wonder if I have the experience it will take.
Plan your trip carefully. Don't rush it. Plan regular stops along the way to rest and
assess your trip. File your trip plan with someone and agree to check in regularly. Use whatever tools that you think you need to take the fear out of your trip or you won't enjoy it. Keep in mind that many people have done it before and that you maybe better prepared than they were.
'Only' 7 years?
We bought our 1st sailboat in '08 and left for full time cruising in '11. There are so many aids to boating in the US, even I can do it.
We bought our 1st sailboat in '08 and left for full time cruising in '11. There are so many aids to boating in the US, even I can do it.
If you haven't cruised the North Channel and Georgian Bay, please do that before leaving the Great Lakes. JMHO
I figure there are people who:
Think Motel 6 is roughing it
Could never use a boat toilet or make do on powdered milk
Get hysterics if they get hot or cold or eat left overs or have a bad night.
You don't seem to be one of those. You will have a great time.
Think Motel 6 is roughing it
Could never use a boat toilet or make do on powdered milk
Get hysterics if they get hot or cold or eat left overs or have a bad night.
You don't seem to be one of those. You will have a great time.
If you can do a great lakes overnight then you can handle the trip. The Canal is easy if you takes it easy and watch the boats ahead of you in the first lock you come across. The Ocean bit from NYC to Cape May is weather dependent but the Ocean is easier than a rough lake day. The ICW is a walk in the park. depart wit a positive attitude.
Read about how others have done it on boats your size:
http://home.comcast.net/~saildan/BahamaTrip/BahamaTrip-Web-BAHAMA_HOME_PAGE/index.htm
http://home.comcast.net/~saildan/BahamaTrip/BahamaTrip-Web-BAHAMA_HOME_PAGE/index.htm
I would imagine that in 7 years you have learned how to handle the boat. I don't know what your cruising experience might be but it is not very different from long distance trucking. Just take your time and sail the weather and not any schedule. The best thing about cruising after being retired is that nobody is paying you to move the boat. If you do not like the weather forecast stay put and wait for tomorrow. The h320 is a fine boat and will do fine for such a trip.
Well, of course, you're crazy. You bought a boat. Sheesh. (Where's the tongue in cheek emote?)
Having got that out of my system. Go. GO NOW! I want to do the Tenn-Tom one day but I think I'll wait for my next boat. The one I have now is too tall for the bridges along the canal. But I'm going to do it. I just don't want to unstep my mast and powerboat through all those lakes.
Having got that out of my system. Go. GO NOW! I want to do the Tenn-Tom one day but I think I'll wait for my next boat. The one I have now is too tall for the bridges along the canal. But I'm going to do it. I just don't want to unstep my mast and powerboat through all those lakes.
My wife & I made the trip From Buffalo, NY to Charleston, SC in 2005. Loved it. I would be happy to send you a copy of our ship's logs if you wish. If you come by Buffalo give me a shout.
lanceadams
Man you got off easy.... you titled your post "Am I crazy"...
YOU BOUGHT A BOAT!!!!!!! There's your answer.
Live the dream and float on....
r
Man you got off easy.... you titled your post "Am I crazy"...
YOU BOUGHT A BOAT!!!!!!! There's your answer.
Live the dream and float on....
r