I plan on sailing my 25 ft MacGregor from LA to Catalina Island during the summer. From what i've heard the best time window for travel are early in the AM.
Quick question for those with more experience in these situations , should an unexpected weather conditions arise making things complicated than expected, is it best to lower the sails and motor the rest of the way? I understand a typical situation to motor is when the wind dies.. But at any other point would you consider lowering the sails and relying on just the motor? Besides taxing in/out of your dock, etc.
From what i've been told a 9.9 HP outboard is typical for my boat size and length. I've heard anything above that is "too much power". Is this true? Never gone over 9.9hp yet but was just curious...
Someone told me a story once when they were sailing back to LA from Catalina they had 20 ft swells (bad weather), and didn't even bother with the sails. They stayed in the cabin and motored on autopilot all the way back to the port. Same sailboat as mine.
As far as everything else - VHF radio, flares, safety equipment, etc. All covered.
Quick question for those with more experience in these situations , should an unexpected weather conditions arise making things complicated than expected, is it best to lower the sails and motor the rest of the way? I understand a typical situation to motor is when the wind dies.. But at any other point would you consider lowering the sails and relying on just the motor? Besides taxing in/out of your dock, etc.
From what i've been told a 9.9 HP outboard is typical for my boat size and length. I've heard anything above that is "too much power". Is this true? Never gone over 9.9hp yet but was just curious...
Someone told me a story once when they were sailing back to LA from Catalina they had 20 ft swells (bad weather), and didn't even bother with the sails. They stayed in the cabin and motored on autopilot all the way back to the port. Same sailboat as mine.
As far as everything else - VHF radio, flares, safety equipment, etc. All covered.