5 college kids sailing Caribbean waters

[Larry Neese]

There are lots of places you can run to and hide if a hurricane threatens the Texas coast, not including Galveston, but very few places to go in the Bahamas that are not very exposed. You can find a place in Texas to haul out, but not likely in the Bahamas. You can get in your car and drive far away in Texas, when the airports close in the Bahamas you have no place to go. Insurance companies for the most part are not going to cover storm damage in the Bahamas for hurricane season, but will on the Texas coast. This is just off the top of my head. Chuck

True, my insurance will not cover me in the Bahamas or Caribbean during that time of year.
If you come ro the Keys, we welcome you but know this, we hope you know how to read a chart, running aground here means a visit from the CG and then come the fines, seagrass, patch reefs that are uncharted= big bucks

 

[Chuckbear]

keysskipper, If you are directing your post to me, We were based out of the Keys for 10 years so we are pretty familiar with the waters. Insurance is different from company to company. We have full coverage no matter where we are and what time of year it is. Not all insurance companies will write these policies and it is expensive. We just have a higher deductible for named storms. There are policies that want you out of the storm box from June to November and that is what most boaters have.

 

[RECESS]

Gulf Stream

I am just wondering how many people that think jumping to the Bahamas with very little experience have been in the Gulf Stream?

You get a bad crosswind across that current and many experienced sailors have lost their boats. You really do not need to bring up hurricanes. You have to get there first.

A tanker in a storm in the Gulf Stream

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DicHqB-CrKk

Here is a tame day with a little cross current wind, check it out at the 3:56 time frame. That sailboat is one wet ride... on a tame day.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ymn4B9Z9oFE

 

[Benny]

I'm afraid the Caribbean would be a little bit out ofreach for you (5) guys on a 1977 Cal 27. You have a lot of distance and open water between you and the windward and leeward islands. Crusing is not cheap and the farthest the destination the costlier it gets. Refit the boat, plumbing, sails and riggins, trailer it down to Florida and go across to the Bahamas you will have a blast. It's not the Caribbean but the islands are a heck of a lot closer. It will still cost you in cruising permits, food and entertainment. Whatever you do, do your homework about weather and routes and famil;iarize yourself with the laws of the land. Their jails are not as nice as ours.

 

[Benny]

The Gulf Stream starts with the Caribbean current and runs all the way to the coast of Ireland. The strech that concerns us the most here in Florida is the strech from Miami to Palme Beach for crossing to the Bahamas. Crossings are done very frequently here by small power boats and small sailing boats. When the wind counters the current you do not want to be out there. It is not a strech of water to fear but to respect.

 

[RECESS]

Respect to me means get some experience first.

 

[Larry Neese]

keysskipper, If you are directing your post to me, We were based out of the Keys for 10 years so we are pretty familiar with the waters. Insurance is different from company to company. We have full coverage no matter where we are and what time of year it is. Not all insurance companies will write these policies and it is expensive. We just have a higher deductible for named storms. There are policies that want you out of the storm box from June to November and that is what most boaters have.

Not aimed at you Bear, we probably would recognize each other, been here all our lives,
watched many sailboats hit hard around these islands.

 

[Franklin]

Respect to me means get some experience first.

PLEASE!!!!!

what, you expect them to sail for years in the C bay that gives them absolutely worthless experience for bad conditions in the stream?

There is only one thing to know about the stream and that is not to cross it when the wind is against the current. To gain that "experience" it only takes 10 seconds with a dock mate and a good ear.

BTW: those videos don't do anything for me. We are lucky seas like that here off the Galveston coast when the winds are strong enough for reefing. I do have to say though that dragging the taxi wasn't all that smart but I'm sure they made it without much problems either.

 

[garylinger]

Franklin, the Chesapeake Bay may not be like "the Stream" but it can/does get very nasty. Maybe I am overly cautious but there are many times that I would not want to be in the Bay even after many years of fair weather sailing experience. I believe in "baby steps" not "trial by fire". How many people encourage them to 'go for it' but then would criticize anybody who suffers serious injury or death because they exceeded their experiece (the NFL players capsize and death is a prime recent example). These college kids admit that they are not experienced. Yes, it would be a memorable experience IF they survive. Part of 'experience' is learning when and when NOT to go. Having once been a young and often stupid college kid, I can imagine them marking a date on the calender and then setting out without any other thought than 'lets go'.

 

[RECESS]

PLEASE!!!!!

what, you expect them to sail for years in the C bay that gives them absolutely worthless experience for bad conditions in the stream?

There is only one thing to know about the stream and that is not to cross it when the wind is against the current. To gain that "experience" it only takes 10 seconds with a dock mate and a good ear.

So you would be perfectly fine with a bunch of novices heading offshore on your advice to go for it? I think sailing one summer to get to know your limits and your boat's limits is rather sound advice. I do not know where you got "expect them to sail for years" from, when the only advice I have given is to spend the first summer sailing and having a good time in the Keys if they want to party on a sailboat. I do not know how sound the advice is sending novices far offshore when they have said they do not have experience.

Have you actually been in the Gulf Stream? You can get cross winds that last for hours from just afternoon thunderstorms that build fast. It can be perfectly clear when you leave and right in the middle of it the storms hit. An experienced sailor will know how to weather it. Novices can make serious mistakes that can cost them more than their boat.

 

[Jimm]

I am just wondering how many people that think jumping to the Bahamas with very little experience have been in the Gulf Stream?

Here is a tame day with a little cross current wind, check it out at the 3:56 time frame. That sailboat is one wet ride... on a tame day.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ymn4B9Z9oFE

Thanks for the preview!

 

[Hermit Scott]

Recess-what is dangerous about what was going on in that youtube clip? It looked choppy but nothing 5 strapping young lads couldn't handle if not enjoy.

 

[RECESS]

The one video is just a little rough seas. The one with the tanker is what happens also. There are some pretty big vessels that get into trouble and have to turn back. The hard part on the Gulf Stream is it can get really huge, really fast, and people get slammed around. People with no experience tend to make some serious mistakes when the boat is getting tossed around. I am not saying people should not go. I am saying I would never advise people that have not gained any experience to go where you need experience. Again the first season out would be best served in waters that offer some protection.

 

[thesailerdude]

Change of plans

after several heated discussions and some helpful feedbacks from this forum, me and my friends decided we would want to sail from Annapolis, MD to Key West, Florida...then start our trip from there

how long do you think the first leg (MD to FLA) will take?

Also we will always stay near to the coastline so we will be safe and learn a lot from this trip before going out in caribbean...

again...go ahead and say what you want

 

[RECESS]

If you are going to make the crossing, Key West is probably not your best crossing point. You may want to think of the upper Keys and plan with the current drifting your boat north. You can figure how well your boat does speed wise on your sail down from MD in differing wind conditions. Crossing from Key west may leave you exposed to open ocean for too long. Also Key West is much further west than the upper Keys and Miami. I would not suggest you jump in your first season but if you are going to try it, read as much as you can. This may give you more ideas about what you will need to read further about.

http://www.vtraveler.com/vt/marine/cruisbah/bahama.html

You will need a lot more research than that web page, but it may point you to further reading. Take note that the fee prices in this article are 10 years old.

 

[RAD]

A couple of months ago a regular on this site left Beaufort Inlet and headed to Marathon Key and I think it took him about two weeks, now this is a seasoned sailor with a 37 foot or larger boat and if you go back in the posts to about the end of Feb. you might find the posts

 

[Banooma]

Me and my 4 college friends has this ambitious plan to sail the caribbean waters the upcoming summer, and we all are quite inexperienced (altough four of us have sailing license) We just purchased a 1977 Cal 27" sailboat which is in a great condition

You think this plan is realistic? also i want to know how and where would i be able to find a trailer that would be able to tow a deep hull? and what the cost would be?

And, lastly..you think this plan is reasonable?

Please feel free to say anything!

Your help will be greatly appreicated

Kevin

Kevin, I wouldn't plan to get very far in a 27 inch boat. I'm sure one of your friends "that has this ambitious plans" can carry your boat in his lap while you drive, or maybe you can lay it down on a seat or on the floor - but the investment in a trailer seems like a waste IMHO. I'd suggest you start by taking your Cal out for short tacks across a swimming pool. Once you feel you know the ropes, try a small pond. The cost would be minimal, provided you have access to a pool and a pond.

No, I don't think the plan (or post) was realistic.

 

[thesailerdude]

haha i dont know if you are trying to be funny but i think you kinda failed pretty bad there- someone has too much time on their hands to post something like that- it's demeaning really..to know that there are people like you out there

you could just say it is unrealistic and be done with it

 

[Napa Ed]

If you start in MD and go south to the keys somewhere, you'll have time to decide if you feel up to the rest of the trip. Maybe south to FL will satisfy your curiosity, or reveal any shortcomings in your plan. It could serve to highlight any conflicts with your traveling partners, illuminate equipment needs etc.
I was young once and nobody could tell me anything I didn't want to hear. I'm not trying to dissuade you from going. Just collect as much information as possible, read Chapman's or Annapolis books cover to cover a couple of times. Budget for all the gear and don't leave anything out. Understand first aid and man overboard methods. Have access to funds to pay for everything you didn't expect. Prepare for the worst and enjoy the trip. Best wishes.

 

[David10790]

Lots of stuff to do without crossing the Stream

SailorDude, there is an unbelievable amount of great sailing to be had not only between MD and Key West, but also on both the Atlantic side of the Keys and in the Gulf. Trip to Fort Jefferson on Dry Tortugas is open ocean sailing in usually predicable conditions. If you want, you can sail north to Sanibel and Captiva - again open ocean sailing in fairly benign water.

Not dissing your skills, but it is very easy to run aground hard in the Bahamas - lots of very thin water. It is also easy, as others have noted, to get slammed pretty good going across. For your first blue water trip, I would use Key West as a base. Have a great time, and remember: there are old sailors and bold sailors, but there are few old, bold sailors.