Can i sail into the open gulf in a 2+2 ?

[Wesley]

I am an unexperience sailor ( for about 2 years ). I sail San Antonio Bay, TXlike once or twice a month. i love sailing out beyond the reefs and have been tempted many time to sail on out into the open gulf of mexico i do have gps and charts but worry if my 19 ft could handle it. and wonder if the cockpit would drain water fast enough if i should take waterover the side..i invite all responces..thank you .wes

 

[h. hey]

sailing in the gulf

Whether or not you can sail into the gulf would depend on the conditions in the area that you are hoping to sail. Parameters that would affect your choice (to sail your mariner in any situation) would include tidal flow, wind conditions, wave height, the reliability of your motor and your desire to sail in spite of less than docile conditions. I have done a decent amount of sailing in the block island sound (a near ocean body of water) and have found the conditions to vary greatly. You need your motor to work in case the wind dies all together -- unless you are ready to call sea tow. Also.. . you can sail in 3-4 ft swells in your mariner, but it isn't always that fun. I can't comment on what the conditions in the gulf are -- where you want to sail. I can only advise you to be armed with lots of information, and then to take it from there. -h. hey

 

[Jim Cook]

I wouldn't.

I've been waiting to get comfortable with my O'Day 27 and my skills before going out in the Gulf. If you would like to go out with me this fall, contact me at jimcookk@msn.com and you can come down to Corpus Christ and we may plan to go out together. I would like to go out late this fall or sometime this winter.