Just got into the sailing thing. We love it. been practicing quite a bit. We are planning to sail from Panama City (in Florida) to Cancun. Any advice on where to find a place that can tell us "AVERAGE" sailtime in days? going and coming.? any advice on trips like these?....
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Sailing Time
This is a very broad range. So much depends on the wind, and wind direction. Most cruisers seem to figure an average of s little over 100 miles a day. Racers do a lot more. The Pennsacola race from Pennsacola to Isla Mujeras takes right around three days. Just figure on averaging 100 to 125 miles a day going across, and you will probably be pretty close.
This is a very broad range. So much depends on the wind, and wind direction. Most cruisers seem to figure an average of s little over 100 miles a day. Racers do a lot more. The Pennsacola race from Pennsacola to Isla Mujeras takes right around three days. Just figure on averaging 100 to 125 miles a day going across, and you will probably be pretty close.
pretty bold ...to cancun in a 26m
I love my 26s, but wouldn't want to get more than 30-45 min.'s away from sheltered shore. If you are new to sailing...you may want to start with something a bit safer...panama city to port st. joe is a good sail. You could go all the way to the keys, and still be near shelter from any storm. Of course, people have done alot more in alot less of a boat...guess you could just give a toast to the wind and sea, yell yeeeehaaah, and hope the weather doesn't turn too bad Richard
I love my 26s, but wouldn't want to get more than 30-45 min.'s away from sheltered shore. If you are new to sailing...you may want to start with something a bit safer...panama city to port st. joe is a good sail. You could go all the way to the keys, and still be near shelter from any storm. Of course, people have done alot more in alot less of a boat...guess you could just give a toast to the wind and sea, yell yeeeehaaah, and hope the weather doesn't turn too bad Richard
The longest excursion...
I took was a 10 hour sail from Oceanside, Ca. to San Diego. I had calculated the distance at around 50nm and my adverage boat speed of about 5 knots. The max my boat can do is on the order of 6.2 knots, and I do see that occasionally. So my calculations were about right. So in theory, if all goes well, about 120nm a day is near the max I would ever expect. I agree with Nice-n-Easy.
I took was a 10 hour sail from Oceanside, Ca. to San Diego. I had calculated the distance at around 50nm and my adverage boat speed of about 5 knots. The max my boat can do is on the order of 6.2 knots, and I do see that occasionally. So my calculations were about right. So in theory, if all goes well, about 120nm a day is near the max I would ever expect. I agree with Nice-n-Easy.
So...
Let's review the bidding: you are new to sailing and want to cross the entire Gulf of Mexico in MacGregor 26? The best advice I can give is to make sure your life and boat insurance are paid, you have a will, and have given someone power of attorney. I know, I know, lots of people have made successful voyages in small boats. But lots have not. The ones that made it had the right boats. This isn't a trip for a novice sailor in a daysailor suitable for rivers, lakes and bays. Get some serious experience under your belt first, in all kinds of weather. Take a few small trips of 100 miles or so. When you have developed some competence that you could deal with the worst happening, go out and buy a blue water boat. Then sail to Cancun. With the right boat and the experience, this will be a pleasant cruise. Without them, it will be a white knuckle event...
Let's review the bidding: you are new to sailing and want to cross the entire Gulf of Mexico in MacGregor 26? The best advice I can give is to make sure your life and boat insurance are paid, you have a will, and have given someone power of attorney. I know, I know, lots of people have made successful voyages in small boats. But lots have not. The ones that made it had the right boats. This isn't a trip for a novice sailor in a daysailor suitable for rivers, lakes and bays. Get some serious experience under your belt first, in all kinds of weather. Take a few small trips of 100 miles or so. When you have developed some competence that you could deal with the worst happening, go out and buy a blue water boat. Then sail to Cancun. With the right boat and the experience, this will be a pleasant cruise. Without them, it will be a white knuckle event...
panama city to cancun
Keith; I have to agree with Pete. You don't have the experience or the right boat. Your ambition is exceeding your skill and equipment. Ever sailed at night, in heavy traffic, with a wind blowing 25 knots or more? Think about it.
Keith; I have to agree with Pete. You don't have the experience or the right boat. Your ambition is exceeding your skill and equipment. Ever sailed at night, in heavy traffic, with a wind blowing 25 knots or more? Think about it.
The good news
Is that under normal winds, you got a reach both there and back (give or take 15 degrees). You will run into spots of no wind so have plenty of fuel and plan on 12 days min of sailing and that's why somebody on watch at all times (non-stop). Your boat isn't very sea worthy and with out much experience or knowledge, you can easily find your boat upside down and you swimming and if I'm not mistake, your boat has a terrible capsize ration so if you do go over, you will not get it back up and it will sink. You also only have a 5 gallon water tank and 24 gallons of fuel. Most people need 5 gallons of fresh water onboard per person per day and that is being conservative. Where are you going to store that water?
Is that under normal winds, you got a reach both there and back (give or take 15 degrees). You will run into spots of no wind so have plenty of fuel and plan on 12 days min of sailing and that's why somebody on watch at all times (non-stop). Your boat isn't very sea worthy and with out much experience or knowledge, you can easily find your boat upside down and you swimming and if I'm not mistake, your boat has a terrible capsize ration so if you do go over, you will not get it back up and it will sink. You also only have a 5 gallon water tank and 24 gallons of fuel. Most people need 5 gallons of fresh water onboard per person per day and that is being conservative. Where are you going to store that water?
Keith, I would recomend to you two books
Cruising Sailboat kenetics by Danny Green and Seaworthiness, The Forgotten factor by C. J. Marcharj, If that isn't enought then read Heavy Weather Sailing by Adlard Coles. There are 26 foot boats capable of crossing oceans safely but a Macgregor just ain't one on them.
Cruising Sailboat kenetics by Danny Green and Seaworthiness, The Forgotten factor by C. J. Marcharj, If that isn't enought then read Heavy Weather Sailing by Adlard Coles. There are 26 foot boats capable of crossing oceans safely but a Macgregor just ain't one on them.
Mac 26s have succesfully
sailed to the Dry Tortugas and crossed the Gulfstream to the Bahamas with a good weather window. They are both within a 1 hard days sail. I would not consider taking it on a minimum 6 days passage in the open Gulf of Mexico. I would suggest you practice with a few overnight sails and short cruises. Besides boat handling educate yourself about Provisioning, navigating, effects of wind and current, safety equipment, night watches, visibility,weather, boat systems, riggin among other things. After that use your trailer capabilities and bring the boat to the east coast of FL or down to the Keys and sail away. Also get together with a group of trailer sailors as they plan trips and provide the safety of numbers. You are responsible for the well being of the boat and the crew so never willignly take it into an unsafe situation. "sail the weather, not the schedule"
sailed to the Dry Tortugas and crossed the Gulfstream to the Bahamas with a good weather window. They are both within a 1 hard days sail. I would not consider taking it on a minimum 6 days passage in the open Gulf of Mexico. I would suggest you practice with a few overnight sails and short cruises. Besides boat handling educate yourself about Provisioning, navigating, effects of wind and current, safety equipment, night watches, visibility,weather, boat systems, riggin among other things. After that use your trailer capabilities and bring the boat to the east coast of FL or down to the Keys and sail away. Also get together with a group of trailer sailors as they plan trips and provide the safety of numbers. You are responsible for the well being of the boat and the crew so never willignly take it into an unsafe situation. "sail the weather, not the schedule"
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