Beneteau 331 as coastal cruiser
- Thread starter Billy
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Your other post asking this same question indicates you are new to sailing. I would be more concerned about your abilities more than the boat.
The conditions "outside the gate" are some of the most challenging conditions you will find along the coast of the continental 48. I've heard of J80s racing out to the Farallons and back, so I would expect your boat would be fine when conditions are not too bad. I've also heard stories of larger boats with experienced crew hitting the rocks and not returning. The coastline is incredibly rocky and there are very few places to take refuge if you find yourself over your head.
I wouldn't head out there without first getting some experience with someone who has sailed that area for some time. Once you have the experience necessary to head out there, you should be able to evaluate the ability of your boat to withstand the conditions.
The conditions "outside the gate" are some of the most challenging conditions you will find along the coast of the continental 48. I've heard of J80s racing out to the Farallons and back, so I would expect your boat would be fine when conditions are not too bad. I've also heard stories of larger boats with experienced crew hitting the rocks and not returning. The coastline is incredibly rocky and there are very few places to take refuge if you find yourself over your head.
I wouldn't head out there without first getting some experience with someone who has sailed that area for some time. Once you have the experience necessary to head out there, you should be able to evaluate the ability of your boat to withstand the conditions.
Thank you, Jim. I am relatively new to the bay having been out less than 8 times. I decided to take lessons there because of the conditions you mentioned, reasoning that if I could sail there, I could sail almost anywhere else. My experience over the last 10 years has been primarily lake sailing. After chartering in Boston, San Diego and SFB, it was hard to go back to the lake! I'm taking a coastal passage making class for the very reasons you stated. As long as the weather isn't too bad, I hope my 331 would take me safely down the coast on short trips. I just wondered if anyone had a similar boat and could share their experience with me. Thanks again. Billy
Billy, I've sailed my 373 down the coast of southern California without incident at all, but the weather there is far more predictable than northern California north of the point. I have taken ASA sailing (keelboat, coastal, advanced coastal, and navigation) and found the lessons I learned there very valuable in my sailing around the Gulf, where waters can be shallower than the California coast.
Be sure to outfit your 331 with the proper safety equipment (jacklines, vests, flares, radio, liferaft, etc) to handle those emergencies. With that and proper training and lots of practice, you should do just fine.
I personally think a LITTLE bit of fear is healthy - it keeps you on your toes!
Be sure to outfit your 331 with the proper safety equipment (jacklines, vests, flares, radio, liferaft, etc) to handle those emergencies. With that and proper training and lots of practice, you should do just fine.
I personally think a LITTLE bit of fear is healthy - it keeps you on your toes!
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