perspectives and desires indeed
A friend of mine, Phil MacFarlane, is sailing the LongPac next weekend. Phil sailed the singlehanded TransPac several times in an Erikson 35-2 (tall mast version), winning the race on corrected time in 2004 when he beat a Hunter 54, a J-120 and an Open 60, among others. The following year, Phil crewed the Baja HaHa for a mutual friend in a Hans Christian. When Phil returned he swore that he'd never ever set foot in a Hans Christian again because of the nasty way they roll when the swell is abeam. I've crewed on Phil's Erikson a number of times, and given the choice between taking it or my Hunter offshore I'd opt for my own boat any day in any sort of weather. My boat is CE category A certified, the open cockpit drains instantly without needing scuppers, and I've got 9,600 pounds of ballast to keep the stick pointed in the right direction. I've made a few modifications to ready the boat for passage making, the most notable being the installation of an emergency rudder. Phil has convinced me that I really ought to install an AIS system as well, which I'll get around to after I've installed the new Antal spinnaker primaries I bought at the boat show months ago and are still sitting in an unopened box. There's always something else, bluewaterwise. My boat doesn't have some of the features that others consider necessary for offshore passages, such as seaberths close to the hull's pivot point or a tiny cockpit that makes you feel more secure during the dog watch. I can't help noticing that during bluewater cruises, people from my yacht club with those sorts of boats tend to congregate in my cockpit for happy hour once we've reached whatever anchorage we've voyaged too. Also can't help notice that I've usually dropped my hook hours before they arrive. What do you really need? Some guys will tell you that they'd never go offshore on a boat that doesn't have a mast pulpit. I guess I'd understand that if my halyard winches were bolted to the mast, but mine are tucked away behind the dodger, and if I want I can work them without leaving the companionway. The problem with this whole bluewater mystique is that much of it is rooted in old technology and even older thinking. What almost no one wants to admit is that bigger boats tend to be more capable of passage making than smaller boats. My boat carries 200 gal of water, 100 gal of fuel, and 300' of chain without settling appreciably on the waterline. I've got plenty of room for spare parts, and can store heavy items such as a 6' high emergency rudder without crowding the interior. Best of all, my crew doesn't have to hot berth, which makes for a much more pleasant passage. The bottom line, despite the howls of protest from those who don't want to hear it, is that what makes a boat bluewater capable is its captain, not its brand name.
A friend of mine, Phil MacFarlane, is sailing the LongPac next weekend. Phil sailed the singlehanded TransPac several times in an Erikson 35-2 (tall mast version), winning the race on corrected time in 2004 when he beat a Hunter 54, a J-120 and an Open 60, among others. The following year, Phil crewed the Baja HaHa for a mutual friend in a Hans Christian. When Phil returned he swore that he'd never ever set foot in a Hans Christian again because of the nasty way they roll when the swell is abeam. I've crewed on Phil's Erikson a number of times, and given the choice between taking it or my Hunter offshore I'd opt for my own boat any day in any sort of weather. My boat is CE category A certified, the open cockpit drains instantly without needing scuppers, and I've got 9,600 pounds of ballast to keep the stick pointed in the right direction. I've made a few modifications to ready the boat for passage making, the most notable being the installation of an emergency rudder. Phil has convinced me that I really ought to install an AIS system as well, which I'll get around to after I've installed the new Antal spinnaker primaries I bought at the boat show months ago and are still sitting in an unopened box. There's always something else, bluewaterwise. My boat doesn't have some of the features that others consider necessary for offshore passages, such as seaberths close to the hull's pivot point or a tiny cockpit that makes you feel more secure during the dog watch. I can't help noticing that during bluewater cruises, people from my yacht club with those sorts of boats tend to congregate in my cockpit for happy hour once we've reached whatever anchorage we've voyaged too. Also can't help notice that I've usually dropped my hook hours before they arrive. What do you really need? Some guys will tell you that they'd never go offshore on a boat that doesn't have a mast pulpit. I guess I'd understand that if my halyard winches were bolted to the mast, but mine are tucked away behind the dodger, and if I want I can work them without leaving the companionway. The problem with this whole bluewater mystique is that much of it is rooted in old technology and even older thinking. What almost no one wants to admit is that bigger boats tend to be more capable of passage making than smaller boats. My boat carries 200 gal of water, 100 gal of fuel, and 300' of chain without settling appreciably on the waterline. I've got plenty of room for spare parts, and can store heavy items such as a 6' high emergency rudder without crowding the interior. Best of all, my crew doesn't have to hot berth, which makes for a much more pleasant passage. The bottom line, despite the howls of protest from those who don't want to hear it, is that what makes a boat bluewater capable is its captain, not its brand name.
