I’m planning on sailing south starting the last week in August. I'm starting in Maine and going as far as I can in one month, then I'll go back and finish the trip later in the fall. I will be sailing along the coast down to Virginia then plan to take the ICW to Florida. Here’s my question; I've sailed up and down the Maine coast for a few years but have never done this trip. I've heard all kinds of advise from friends. for instance The fog will be bad so I need Radar An inflatable dingy won't do I need a life raft. Don't haul a hard dingy because it will sink. It will be too rough for it. I need SSB radio. Now boys I know that all these bells and whistles are nice and many people feel you need everything under the sun plus the latest models of it too, but you see it all costs money. I've been sailing for quite a while without a lot of this stuff I think (call me foolish) a lot of it does not fall in the "don't go if you don't have it category". For one thing I come from the old school that says; When you think you may need to tuck a reef you should have already done it. Be in harbor one hour before dark with the hook down or on a mooring. If your in harbor and the wind is above 15 knots or the waves are over 5 feet stay put until the weather changes, sailing is about having fun not beating your brains out. Rome wasn't built in a day and if you cannot wait for good weather then sell the sailboat because thats not a smart way to sail. GPS is nice but your a fool if you don't have paper charts and know how to use them. So I would love to hear you opinions. Is there a lot of fog in these waters at this time of year? Sailing the way I do, do I have to spend the bucks for radar? Will an inflatable do or must I buy a life raft? Thanks in advice
Asking for your 2 cents worth on sailing south
- Thread starter Rich18890
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More 2 cents
1) If it's foggy radar might help you find your way but it won't stop the fool who hasn't got radar from running into you. 2) Pack a multi-chamber inflatable dinghy like a Zodiac AX-3 for backup. A rigid bottom dingy with inflatable gunnels (RID) like the Walkers Bay shouldn't sink when towed. http://www.boatownersworld.com/wb/walker_ba_rib.htm 3) You’ll be sailing during the height of hurricane season. Prepare to move inland. See before and after pictures: http://www.maritimemuseum.org/camille/ Too late for prayer: http://www.maritimemuseum.org/camille/Camille25.jpg Other than that... Happy sails *_/), MArk
1) If it's foggy radar might help you find your way but it won't stop the fool who hasn't got radar from running into you. 2) Pack a multi-chamber inflatable dinghy like a Zodiac AX-3 for backup. A rigid bottom dingy with inflatable gunnels (RID) like the Walkers Bay shouldn't sink when towed. http://www.boatownersworld.com/wb/walker_ba_rib.htm 3) You’ll be sailing during the height of hurricane season. Prepare to move inland. See before and after pictures: http://www.maritimemuseum.org/camille/ Too late for prayer: http://www.maritimemuseum.org/camille/Camille25.jpg Other than that... Happy sails *_/), MArk
Fog is rare
Fog is rare in South Carolina. I lived there 2 1/2 years and it was very rare. Along the west coast of Florida and Alabama fog is also unusual but there are some oil rigs to hit. I read all of these experts saying that you have to have everything to go anywhere!!! Then meet people going everywhere with nothing or very little. If you plan and prepare for every possibility you will never go anywhere. I've taken the reasonable approach in compareing it to a car trip. If it's safer than a car trip then do it. This past weekend two girls were shot and killed at a service station. A real tragedity both honor students. Two old guys were shooting at each other and the girls got hit. Now on my next car trip should I wear a bullet proof vest?? Should I buy a Humvee and make it bulletproof??? Bad things happen!!! A reasonable approach that I take is that I avoid dangerous neighborhoods late at night. Same thing with a sailboat. Sure I could sail out of sight of land and a pack of killer whales sink my boat!!! It has happened, read survive the savage sea. But it's not likely. Take reasonable precautions that you are comfortable with and go sailing!!
Fog is rare in South Carolina. I lived there 2 1/2 years and it was very rare. Along the west coast of Florida and Alabama fog is also unusual but there are some oil rigs to hit. I read all of these experts saying that you have to have everything to go anywhere!!! Then meet people going everywhere with nothing or very little. If you plan and prepare for every possibility you will never go anywhere. I've taken the reasonable approach in compareing it to a car trip. If it's safer than a car trip then do it. This past weekend two girls were shot and killed at a service station. A real tragedity both honor students. Two old guys were shooting at each other and the girls got hit. Now on my next car trip should I wear a bullet proof vest?? Should I buy a Humvee and make it bulletproof??? Bad things happen!!! A reasonable approach that I take is that I avoid dangerous neighborhoods late at night. Same thing with a sailboat. Sure I could sail out of sight of land and a pack of killer whales sink my boat!!! It has happened, read survive the savage sea. But it's not likely. Take reasonable precautions that you are comfortable with and go sailing!!
A
agolden
2 cents worth
Get a GPS Chartplotter, paper charts, a back-up hand held VHF, inflatable dink with a 3-5 hp engine, extra water and fuel jugs, an ICW guide book that has bridge opening data, and enjoy!
Get a GPS Chartplotter, paper charts, a back-up hand held VHF, inflatable dink with a 3-5 hp engine, extra water and fuel jugs, an ICW guide book that has bridge opening data, and enjoy!
V
Vasco
shallow
If you're taking the ICW you might run into fog in the mornings but it is usually burnt off in an hour or two. In eight trips I've run into fog a dozen times or so. Never felt the need for radar. A good depth sounder is more important. I don't know what you draw but it's really shallow in the stretch between Beaufort and Charleston. There are two stretches with less than 5 ft. Also Jekyll Island at low tide only has a bit over five feet If the weather cooperates it is easier going outside, Aug/Sep should be ok. If you skip Delaware Bay and The Chesapeake and head straight for Norfolk you should be in north Florida in a month if you can do a bit better than five knots. Take your time, pick your spots and enjoy your trip. Good luck.
If you're taking the ICW you might run into fog in the mornings but it is usually burnt off in an hour or two. In eight trips I've run into fog a dozen times or so. Never felt the need for radar. A good depth sounder is more important. I don't know what you draw but it's really shallow in the stretch between Beaufort and Charleston. There are two stretches with less than 5 ft. Also Jekyll Island at low tide only has a bit over five feet If the weather cooperates it is easier going outside, Aug/Sep should be ok. If you skip Delaware Bay and The Chesapeake and head straight for Norfolk you should be in north Florida in a month if you can do a bit better than five knots. Take your time, pick your spots and enjoy your trip. Good luck.
have fun
Hi... when i learnd to sail it was back in the 60's and i started out in a sun fish by the time i was 15 i sail'd a cross the atlantic ocean and sense then i have crossed three time. my piont is if you don't want it don't buy it. i did not have it and i still sail with out it, its just because you are sailing near the coast. when you are as far from the coast you are better off. if it were me, i would tell them i will be fine, and leave it alone, remenber you are doing the sailing not them. i have been sailing for the last fourty years and all the people come to me for advise and i alwas tell them to keep it simple. have fun sailing winthrop
Hi... when i learnd to sail it was back in the 60's and i started out in a sun fish by the time i was 15 i sail'd a cross the atlantic ocean and sense then i have crossed three time. my piont is if you don't want it don't buy it. i did not have it and i still sail with out it, its just because you are sailing near the coast. when you are as far from the coast you are better off. if it were me, i would tell them i will be fine, and leave it alone, remenber you are doing the sailing not them. i have been sailing for the last fourty years and all the people come to me for advise and i alwas tell them to keep it simple. have fun sailing winthrop
Bon Voyage! The only other suggestion
I can make is to get Clayborne Young's Guide to the ICW. I have recently heard there is no dredging going on in the NC area and that parts of the ICW have become impassable.
I can make is to get Clayborne Young's Guide to the ICW. I have recently heard there is no dredging going on in the NC area and that parts of the ICW have become impassable.
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