I'm tired of sailing back and forth across the bay. It was great to learn the idiosyncracies of the boat and the Captain(that would be me), but now it's time to go under the bridge, through the inlet and out to sea (okay, so I'll just go a half mile off shore). I want the wind in my hair, although there is much less of it than there was a few years ago, the salt spray on my face and my 23.5 under me (and hopefully afloat). I plan on picking a day that does not have small craft warnings posted and will tackle the inlet at slack tide to avoid a strong current. Any suggestions? How many 23.5 owner sail in the open ocean? Looking for information and fair winds................ Hayden of the good ship, Hakuna Matata
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
B
Bill O'Donovan
Good news
The rolling seas of the Atlantic are easier to deal with than the chop of the bay, but you're well advised to stay close to shore. And be sure your outboard is functioning well, just in case. A couple once went offshore in Alaska in a 23-foot sailboat, only to have the engine fall off the mount when they went to go back. She was nine months pregnant,too.
The rolling seas of the Atlantic are easier to deal with than the chop of the bay, but you're well advised to stay close to shore. And be sure your outboard is functioning well, just in case. A couple once went offshore in Alaska in a 23-foot sailboat, only to have the engine fall off the mount when they went to go back. She was nine months pregnant,too.
R
Robert Avent
Go for it.
I spend a lot of my life in Negril, Jamaica. I regularly sail up to two miles from shore in 12 foot Hobie Cats and sunfish. Use some common sense. The first outing, don't go out unless the forecast is for fairly flat (under 4 ft.) seas and under 15 knot winds. Stay far enough from shore so as to avoid potential groundings and carried up to date safety equipment. Don't get greedy. Reef the sail if the wind picks up and be ready on the main sheet if it is gusty. You will become comforatble with the open sea with time.
I spend a lot of my life in Negril, Jamaica. I regularly sail up to two miles from shore in 12 foot Hobie Cats and sunfish. Use some common sense. The first outing, don't go out unless the forecast is for fairly flat (under 4 ft.) seas and under 15 knot winds. Stay far enough from shore so as to avoid potential groundings and carried up to date safety equipment. Don't get greedy. Reef the sail if the wind picks up and be ready on the main sheet if it is gusty. You will become comforatble with the open sea with time.
F
Frank Ladd
It'll be fun
I think the inlet is the most dangerous part so going at slack tide and having local information is a good idea. Keep in mind that if you go at dead slack tide it'll be about 6 hours till the next slack tide. So you may want to talk to locals about the inlet you plan to used and see when it is runable. We use our 23.5 up to about 10 miles off shore and love the steady winds and seas of ocean sailing.
I think the inlet is the most dangerous part so going at slack tide and having local information is a good idea. Keep in mind that if you go at dead slack tide it'll be about 6 hours till the next slack tide. So you may want to talk to locals about the inlet you plan to used and see when it is runable. We use our 23.5 up to about 10 miles off shore and love the steady winds and seas of ocean sailing.
M
Mark
Pay attention to the tide and wind
As Frank mentioned, the inlet will probably be the worst part. Once you're out in the ocean things will be a lot smoother and the wind will be steadier too. Rather than going at slack water, you may want to consider using the tide to your advantage. If you leave on the ebb and return on the flood the current will significantly improve your speed over ground (and reduce the time it takes to run the inlet). Remember too that the current is fastest between tides. There is one catch. You should always check the wind direction to see if it is opposing the current (or will be on the return trip). Wind against current can build a bad chop, so you may be in for a rough ride. For some reason, current flowing out of an inlet always seems to be stronger than the current going in. Tide tables supplemented by local information are your best bet (ask the fishing charter boat captains). I've enclosed a link to a website that I use for tide info. I typed "ocean city" into the search window at the top and got 34 places in Maryland. One of those should be close to you. Good luck and happy sailing. Peter H23 "Raven"
As Frank mentioned, the inlet will probably be the worst part. Once you're out in the ocean things will be a lot smoother and the wind will be steadier too. Rather than going at slack water, you may want to consider using the tide to your advantage. If you leave on the ebb and return on the flood the current will significantly improve your speed over ground (and reduce the time it takes to run the inlet). Remember too that the current is fastest between tides. There is one catch. You should always check the wind direction to see if it is opposing the current (or will be on the return trip). Wind against current can build a bad chop, so you may be in for a rough ride. For some reason, current flowing out of an inlet always seems to be stronger than the current going in. Tide tables supplemented by local information are your best bet (ask the fishing charter boat captains). I've enclosed a link to a website that I use for tide info. I typed "ocean city" into the search window at the top and got 34 places in Maryland. One of those should be close to you. Good luck and happy sailing. Peter H23 "Raven"
R
Ron Mehringer
VHF & Cellphone
Go for it. I'd recommend a VHF (mast mounted antenna would give best range) and a cell phone. Also, don't do it alone. After you get back, let us know how it went. Ron Mehringer s/v Hydro-Therapy
Go for it. I'd recommend a VHF (mast mounted antenna would give best range) and a cell phone. Also, don't do it alone. After you get back, let us know how it went. Ron Mehringer s/v Hydro-Therapy
M
MarcB
Open water sailing
We sail our 240 out Palm Beach Inlet regularly. The note on the charts says the inlet "May Be Rough". We've gotten rocked and rolled a bit, but never had any real problems. Biggest problem is wakes from big sport fishing boats. One suggestion may be to keep the sails down until you're through the inlet (if the winds aren't favorable) so you don't have to think about the boat heeling and cavitating the prop. One more thing, just because you're past the breakwater doesn't mean you're past the influence of the inlet. Tidal flow and current can extend quite a way out from the mouth of the inlet. Go for it. Marc_B
We sail our 240 out Palm Beach Inlet regularly. The note on the charts says the inlet "May Be Rough". We've gotten rocked and rolled a bit, but never had any real problems. Biggest problem is wakes from big sport fishing boats. One suggestion may be to keep the sails down until you're through the inlet (if the winds aren't favorable) so you don't have to think about the boat heeling and cavitating the prop. One more thing, just because you're past the breakwater doesn't mean you're past the influence of the inlet. Tidal flow and current can extend quite a way out from the mouth of the inlet. Go for it. Marc_B
Try it with mainsail up
Motoring with the mainsail up will reduce the boat's tendency to roll due to the wakes from passing fishing boats. Sheet tight to the centerline unless the wind is favorable, in which case you may be able to use it to help you along. Peter H23 "Raven"
Motoring with the mainsail up will reduce the boat's tendency to roll due to the wakes from passing fishing boats. Sheet tight to the centerline unless the wind is favorable, in which case you may be able to use it to help you along. Peter H23 "Raven"
H
Hayden
Thanks for all the help. We did it !!!!!
Last week (Wed) my first mate and I motored 6 miles to bridge, waited several minutes till the bridge went up then motored through the inlet and into the deep blue. What a great sail. Winds from the SE at 5 to 10 and waves inthe 2 to 4 ft range. The boat handles so well. I used the auto tiller and just enjoyed the sound of the wind and water slapping up against the hull. We stayed outside for 3 or 4 hours. Went a mile or two off shore and sailed parallel along the shoreline of Assateague Island. We encountered a pod of dolphins and got to within 20 yds of them (actually, they followed us). Now, I dread the idea of sailing in the very limiting bay. Next year I plan on doing my version of Around Alone... a circumnavigation of the Delmarva peninsula (400+ mile). My sail plan says 20 days including four or five days of R&R in various ports of call. Thanks again for all the A&C. Hayden
Last week (Wed) my first mate and I motored 6 miles to bridge, waited several minutes till the bridge went up then motored through the inlet and into the deep blue. What a great sail. Winds from the SE at 5 to 10 and waves inthe 2 to 4 ft range. The boat handles so well. I used the auto tiller and just enjoyed the sound of the wind and water slapping up against the hull. We stayed outside for 3 or 4 hours. Went a mile or two off shore and sailed parallel along the shoreline of Assateague Island. We encountered a pod of dolphins and got to within 20 yds of them (actually, they followed us). Now, I dread the idea of sailing in the very limiting bay. Next year I plan on doing my version of Around Alone... a circumnavigation of the Delmarva peninsula (400+ mile). My sail plan says 20 days including four or five days of R&R in various ports of call. Thanks again for all the A&C. Hayden
B
Bill Krause
Come on up
Hayden, Nest time come on up to Indian River. It is about 5-6hrs depending on wind. Stay over night and sail back. We've been down to O.C. a few times. I think you have my #, just let me know
Hayden, Nest time come on up to Indian River. It is about 5-6hrs depending on wind. Stay over night and sail back. We've been down to O.C. a few times. I think you have my #, just let me know
- Status
- Not open for further replies.