for a coastal cruiser??? I confess that my ocean experience is limited. I was looking at the NWS forcast for the gulf coast between Destin Florida and Mobile,Alabama. 15kts sounds good!!! When sailing my Laser 15kts meant fun sailing. In a lake 15kts mean't good sailing with my Macgregor 26. Now with a Pearson 323 we aren't so sure. We have sailed in the bay three times and she seems to handle chop well. We haven't been out in the gulf yet but need to move her to Mobile this weekend. Anyone out there with a P323 or simular boat willing to advise???? By the way I've been sailing for 25 years but mostly on lakes. My wife has been sailing for 13 years and except for two week long charters in the keys it's all been lake or bay sailing. I am thinking that except for the seas 15 kts from the southeast should be great for going to Mobile.
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Bill
Nice Day
I would consider 15 with 3 to 4 a nice day, assuming its not a tight 3 to 4 and that those conditions hold.
I would consider 15 with 3 to 4 a nice day, assuming its not a tight 3 to 4 and that those conditions hold.
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Allen Schweitzer
No Problem!
Tom, I have a 30' Catalina and I've had her in 6' to 8' seas under 30 knots of wind. She handled it like a champ. Not the most comfortable ride, especially on the tacks where we had to take the seas broadside, but I never worried about the boat's ability to handle it. Assuming your boat doesn't have a faulty or worn rig, a 32' sailboat should have NO PROBLEM in seas of 8' or more. The only thing you'll want to keep in mind is to reduce sail area (reef main, choose smaller headsail or roll in genoa a little) as the boat begins to heal or approaches hull speed. Failure to do that might overstress the rig and cause a failure or deck crazing where the shrouds meet the deck. You shouldn't have to worry about that in 15 knots, but if you start approaching 20 or more...well, you know the drill. Assuming your boat's in good shape and you know when to reef, ENJOY THE WIND!!! I look forward to going out when it's 3-4' seas & 15+ knots. Come to think of it, so does the boat. That C-30 LOVES heavy wind, and I think your Pearson will, too. Any Pearson owners out there care to comment?? Good luck!! Allen Schweitzer s/v Falstaff C-30 Hull# 632
Tom, I have a 30' Catalina and I've had her in 6' to 8' seas under 30 knots of wind. She handled it like a champ. Not the most comfortable ride, especially on the tacks where we had to take the seas broadside, but I never worried about the boat's ability to handle it. Assuming your boat doesn't have a faulty or worn rig, a 32' sailboat should have NO PROBLEM in seas of 8' or more. The only thing you'll want to keep in mind is to reduce sail area (reef main, choose smaller headsail or roll in genoa a little) as the boat begins to heal or approaches hull speed. Failure to do that might overstress the rig and cause a failure or deck crazing where the shrouds meet the deck. You shouldn't have to worry about that in 15 knots, but if you start approaching 20 or more...well, you know the drill. Assuming your boat's in good shape and you know when to reef, ENJOY THE WIND!!! I look forward to going out when it's 3-4' seas & 15+ knots. Come to think of it, so does the boat. That C-30 LOVES heavy wind, and I think your Pearson will, too. Any Pearson owners out there care to comment?? Good luck!! Allen Schweitzer s/v Falstaff C-30 Hull# 632
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Patrick
Perfect
Perfect conditions for both my 30 ft Newport and my 376. With non sailors aboard or on autopilot I would probably reef.
Perfect conditions for both my 30 ft Newport and my 376. With non sailors aboard or on autopilot I would probably reef.
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Dave M
Sounds like fun, but watch Destin inlet
I would be very careful not to get in an opposing tide situation going out there. The waves can get very steep and confused just inside the breakwaters. Once you're out, should be no problem.
I would be very careful not to get in an opposing tide situation going out there. The waves can get very steep and confused just inside the breakwaters. Once you're out, should be no problem.
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Rick Webb
Check the Wave Period
We sailed 20"ers in 5" seas all the time but the swells were 30"-40" apart so it was no big deal. Down here they do not get that sort of seas. Stick your nose out there and if it looks bad go back in. It can be a long way to Pensacola if your getting beat up all the way and when you get there you do not feel like doing anythin anyway. So what was the point?. Check the NOAA sea bouy for info too, you already know that one I,m sure. Do not discount the trip through the ICW while it may not be a great sailing adventure it is a nice time all the same.
We sailed 20"ers in 5" seas all the time but the swells were 30"-40" apart so it was no big deal. Down here they do not get that sort of seas. Stick your nose out there and if it looks bad go back in. It can be a long way to Pensacola if your getting beat up all the way and when you get there you do not feel like doing anythin anyway. So what was the point?. Check the NOAA sea bouy for info too, you already know that one I,m sure. Do not discount the trip through the ICW while it may not be a great sailing adventure it is a nice time all the same.
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tom
Rick do you get into the gulf often??
I've talked to a couple of sailors at Blue Bay and they just sail the bay. One said that about the only time he goes out is to go to Panama City. I have been out in my Laser before wanting to be on the beach but scared of going through the surf. The way to solve that was to hold onto the stern and get dragged to shore. That technique won't work with a P323. A friend and I were sailing his 28' through the jetties at Corpus Christi and broached but recovered, a 22' Catalina broached and was dismasted that day. If you are experienced running out through the jetties at Destin give me more details such as your limits as to tide ,wind and waves. What you are sailing would help also. We plan to be in Niceville this Friday afternoon. We want to sail outside but aren't stupid so we'll take the ditch if the weather is marginal. Thanks Tom
I've talked to a couple of sailors at Blue Bay and they just sail the bay. One said that about the only time he goes out is to go to Panama City. I have been out in my Laser before wanting to be on the beach but scared of going through the surf. The way to solve that was to hold onto the stern and get dragged to shore. That technique won't work with a P323. A friend and I were sailing his 28' through the jetties at Corpus Christi and broached but recovered, a 22' Catalina broached and was dismasted that day. If you are experienced running out through the jetties at Destin give me more details such as your limits as to tide ,wind and waves. What you are sailing would help also. We plan to be in Niceville this Friday afternoon. We want to sail outside but aren't stupid so we'll take the ditch if the weather is marginal. Thanks Tom
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Rick Webb
Wish I Could Be More Empirical
Had a big ol' long post written and lost it. The gist of it was, you should have no trouble making the trip outside if no storms pop up. We sail a Hunter 23.5 and go out into the gulf on occasion. I have never thought of it as dangerous just sometimes more work than it was worth to day sail. So if we got out there and it was ugly we would just sail the bay that day. The pass moves fast at times and can be confused but there is plenty of water and if you know the mast gets under the bridge it is not difficult to navigate. Bucking the tide coming in would be no fun for a while but not difficult to do. I was always more concerned about the power boaters than the chop or current. If you are on your way out early enough in the morning you will miss all of the drunks going to and from Crab Island and the guys in a hurry to get home from fishing. The boat you do cross will generally be courteous. While taking the slower scenic inside trip may not be as exhilarating as the faster outside trip you may feel better when you get to Pensacola. Sometime nice and easy will get you farther than hard and fast. You will have a great trip either way.
Had a big ol' long post written and lost it. The gist of it was, you should have no trouble making the trip outside if no storms pop up. We sail a Hunter 23.5 and go out into the gulf on occasion. I have never thought of it as dangerous just sometimes more work than it was worth to day sail. So if we got out there and it was ugly we would just sail the bay that day. The pass moves fast at times and can be confused but there is plenty of water and if you know the mast gets under the bridge it is not difficult to navigate. Bucking the tide coming in would be no fun for a while but not difficult to do. I was always more concerned about the power boaters than the chop or current. If you are on your way out early enough in the morning you will miss all of the drunks going to and from Crab Island and the guys in a hurry to get home from fishing. The boat you do cross will generally be courteous. While taking the slower scenic inside trip may not be as exhilarating as the faster outside trip you may feel better when you get to Pensacola. Sometime nice and easy will get you farther than hard and fast. You will have a great trip either way.
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Dave M
I've done inside too...
and if the wind is out of the south and fairly steady, it is really fun. We left Bluewater Bay, close reached to the bouy line at Ft. Walton Beach, and had the wind within a few points of abeam the entire way to Juana's. Motored in for refreshments, and once back out into the channel, sailed on into Pensacola Bay, across the ship channel, and all the way to Redfish Point to anchor. Maybe the best one day sail we've ever had.
and if the wind is out of the south and fairly steady, it is really fun. We left Bluewater Bay, close reached to the bouy line at Ft. Walton Beach, and had the wind within a few points of abeam the entire way to Juana's. Motored in for refreshments, and once back out into the channel, sailed on into Pensacola Bay, across the ship channel, and all the way to Redfish Point to anchor. Maybe the best one day sail we've ever had.
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Augie Byllott
Running inlets
Tom of Birmingham writes: "A friend and I were sailing his 28' through the jetties at Corpus Christi and broached but recovered, a 22' Catalina broached and was dismasted that day." Reply: When the winds and the running tide are creating a ruckus in an inlet, I relax until slack tide comes along, as it always does. Then proceding through is quite uneventful.
Tom of Birmingham writes: "A friend and I were sailing his 28' through the jetties at Corpus Christi and broached but recovered, a 22' Catalina broached and was dismasted that day." Reply: When the winds and the running tide are creating a ruckus in an inlet, I relax until slack tide comes along, as it always does. Then proceding through is quite uneventful.
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tom
My friend and I
wanted to stay out and sail. But my son and his girlfriend had the dry heaves!!!! We had hoped that they would settle down and stop barfing but his girlfriend was looking bad!!!! She seemed to love sailing and the dolphins and turtles but keep tossing her cookies. Then she had an awful color to her skin and snot running down her nose. You are right about waiting and except for them we would have waited. Must have been the dolphins that day because his girlfriend came back for more!!! The second time out she didn't get sick. Thye second time both she and my son were smarter and took the medicine. The first time out my son noticed that I wasn't taking anything and said that if I didn't need it neither did he.
wanted to stay out and sail. But my son and his girlfriend had the dry heaves!!!! We had hoped that they would settle down and stop barfing but his girlfriend was looking bad!!!! She seemed to love sailing and the dolphins and turtles but keep tossing her cookies. Then she had an awful color to her skin and snot running down her nose. You are right about waiting and except for them we would have waited. Must have been the dolphins that day because his girlfriend came back for more!!! The second time out she didn't get sick. Thye second time both she and my son were smarter and took the medicine. The first time out my son noticed that I wasn't taking anything and said that if I didn't need it neither did he.
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