I have an opportunity to sail on a Catalina 30 from Fort Lauderdale to Peru via the Panama Canal this mid April. Do you think this Boat is suitable for this type of voyage?
cruise to Peru
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peru
the catalina 30 is not intended to be a blue water boat, but neither were the nina, pinta or sanata maria, nor magellan's tub. full usn destroyers have been capsized by weather and row boats have made epic voyages. just don't step on any cracks before departure. and bring water.
the catalina 30 is not intended to be a blue water boat, but neither were the nina, pinta or sanata maria, nor magellan's tub. full usn destroyers have been capsized by weather and row boats have made epic voyages. just don't step on any cracks before departure. and bring water.
Just hug the Gulf Coast
You'll be fine. Then you can replenish, make repairs, hide from weather (sans hurricanes) any time you need to. Besides, it'll be more fun if you have the extra time.
You'll be fine. Then you can replenish, make repairs, hide from weather (sans hurricanes) any time you need to. Besides, it'll be more fun if you have the extra time.
On second thought
You'd have to round the Yucatan and Honduras. That would take way too long. Better route would be to hit the Bahamas, then the Dominican to Puerto Rico. Then one long cross to Aruba. You would have to make a long passage straight to Panama from Aruba (about 500 miles) to avoid Columbia, but it's not so far that you can't predict weather. If you sail 24-7 you'll make it in 5-6 days. Then you're on the West Coast of SA.
You'd have to round the Yucatan and Honduras. That would take way too long. Better route would be to hit the Bahamas, then the Dominican to Puerto Rico. Then one long cross to Aruba. You would have to make a long passage straight to Panama from Aruba (about 500 miles) to avoid Columbia, but it's not so far that you can't predict weather. If you sail 24-7 you'll make it in 5-6 days. Then you're on the West Coast of SA.
peru
hey, jeff, if he's departing ft lauderdale, isn't peru south and the gulf coast eventually north of him?
hey, jeff, if he's departing ft lauderdale, isn't peru south and the gulf coast eventually north of him?
Jeff, South of the equator
not Peru is on the west cost of South America and south of the equator. the plan is to sail from Fort to Jamaica to Panama Canal to Callao Peru. So now what do you think about doing it in a Catalina 30? Lee
not Peru is on the west cost of South America and south of the equator. the plan is to sail from Fort to Jamaica to Panama Canal to Callao Peru. So now what do you think about doing it in a Catalina 30? Lee
I don't have a Queen in my pocket
ya, I might be a little like Columbus but I don't have a Queen in my pocket.
ya, I might be a little like Columbus but I don't have a Queen in my pocket.
But would it be safe
But would you all take the trip with a Catalina 30? No matter which route is taken?
But would you all take the trip with a Catalina 30? No matter which route is taken?
Only as safe as the sailor 
There is nothing very remarkable about the trip. What boat you take has very little to do with it. The average wind is about 11 knots and the average waves are less than 4 feet. C30's in light air aren't the fastest boats on the planet, expect to average between 3.5 and 4.0 knots for the trip. If the boat is in good condition and the crew has decent seamanship skills, it should be a nice trip. The only drawback is that it will probably be beating and close reaching until you hit Jamaica and close reaching and beating again down the coast of South America. I'd take my C30 in a heartbeat.
There is nothing very remarkable about the trip. What boat you take has very little to do with it. The average wind is about 11 knots and the average waves are less than 4 feet. C30's in light air aren't the fastest boats on the planet, expect to average between 3.5 and 4.0 knots for the trip. If the boat is in good condition and the crew has decent seamanship skills, it should be a nice trip. The only drawback is that it will probably be beating and close reaching until you hit Jamaica and close reaching and beating again down the coast of South America. I'd take my C30 in a heartbeat.
Less apprehensive
Moody thank for your responce. you have hepl me to feel less apprehensive about considering taking this oppertunity to Sail. Lee
Moody thank for your responce. you have hepl me to feel less apprehensive about considering taking this oppertunity to Sail. Lee
Fools and Englishmen...
Lee, that kind of question has merit, but there have been books written about the answer. Short answer: know the boat, know how to sail and know the skipper. Long answer, do some research, because even if Moody and I say Go for It, we don't know your capabilities, interests, ability to work well with otohers in a small confiend space, or whether you can keep your breakfast down on a bowling lane. Good luck, do some planning, like charts and globes, should be fun to find out where folks thought Peru wasn't...
Lee, that kind of question has merit, but there have been books written about the answer. Short answer: know the boat, know how to sail and know the skipper. Long answer, do some research, because even if Moody and I say Go for It, we don't know your capabilities, interests, ability to work well with otohers in a small confiend space, or whether you can keep your breakfast down on a bowling lane. Good luck, do some planning, like charts and globes, should be fun to find out where folks thought Peru wasn't...
Foolish Englishmen
Jackson, My Intrest is high. I have certifications from Anapolis School of Sailing for Crusing.I have Bareboat Chartered 41 footers once in the BVI and once in the Bahamas. I have never done a bluewater long voyage. The captain is retired from the Peruvian Navy and has been living in Fort Lauderdale. The Captain assures me the boat is up to the voyage. Have good people skills. Small spaces should be no problem I grew up in and small home of 8 and had to share a bed with two of my other brothers. But I have been known to have to eat my breakfast twice. Lee
Jackson, My Intrest is high. I have certifications from Anapolis School of Sailing for Crusing.I have Bareboat Chartered 41 footers once in the BVI and once in the Bahamas. I have never done a bluewater long voyage. The captain is retired from the Peruvian Navy and has been living in Fort Lauderdale. The Captain assures me the boat is up to the voyage. Have good people skills. Small spaces should be no problem I grew up in and small home of 8 and had to share a bed with two of my other brothers. But I have been known to have to eat my breakfast twice. Lee
I'd do it
If I had the time, money and a Catalina 30 (a good one). It's all about weather, supplies and navigation. If the boat is sound then these are your main worries. Everything else is fun. The 30 is fine, in fact exceptional, if you have weather, supplies and navigation.
If I had the time, money and a Catalina 30 (a good one). It's all about weather, supplies and navigation. If the boat is sound then these are your main worries. Everything else is fun. The 30 is fine, in fact exceptional, if you have weather, supplies and navigation.
Yes Mortimer
1st, he could in fact hug the coast all the way to Panama. However if you see "on second thought" I have indicated that would take too long. I know North from South, and I know where Peru is.
1st, he could in fact hug the coast all the way to Panama. However if you see "on second thought" I have indicated that would take too long. I know North from South, and I know where Peru is.
Sorry about that north/south stuff
jeff thanks for your input and by chatting with all of you I think this is a cruise I should go on. Sorry about that north/south stuff I'm new at this chat thing.
jeff thanks for your input and by chatting with all of you I think this is a cruise I should go on. Sorry about that north/south stuff I'm new at this chat thing.
Courage!
Well Lee as a 30 owner and having sailed one several times in the ocean, I had to chime in here. If you look at the 30 as a "blue water" vessel capable of making long open water passages, my confidence level relative to strength, and making way in rough seas is not in the "fair" category. I love the 30 as a coastal cruiser, but as an example, we sailed once from Pensacola to Mobile once about 10 miles offshore in 6-8 foot seas and took a heck of a pounding. It was then I realized just how tender the 30 was. Compared to a heavier blue water boat like an Island Packet, Variant or Tayana for example, the Catalina is light and agile. For any prudent mariner, before setting out on any offshore adventure, give the standing rigging a good going over, check all electronics, go over the engine, ensure you have good communication gear and a good inventory of safety gear including an EPIRB. You can rent one from Boat US. Your enthusiasm here while aboard will not set you apart from the rest of the crew, but display interest in everyones safety. Granted, many before you have made open water passages in smaller more agile vessels; even circumnavigated the globe, but be mindful that your in a light vessel, a bit tender in heavy seas and good seamanship skills are necessary. Know the vessel!! If your hugging the coast the entire route, you'll be just fine, but travel in good weather. It will probably be the adventure of a lifetime and you certainly have the sailing experience to take it on. So, good luck on the voyage, stay safe, smart and alert. Bob Breezin II '88 Catalina 30
Well Lee as a 30 owner and having sailed one several times in the ocean, I had to chime in here. If you look at the 30 as a "blue water" vessel capable of making long open water passages, my confidence level relative to strength, and making way in rough seas is not in the "fair" category. I love the 30 as a coastal cruiser, but as an example, we sailed once from Pensacola to Mobile once about 10 miles offshore in 6-8 foot seas and took a heck of a pounding. It was then I realized just how tender the 30 was. Compared to a heavier blue water boat like an Island Packet, Variant or Tayana for example, the Catalina is light and agile. For any prudent mariner, before setting out on any offshore adventure, give the standing rigging a good going over, check all electronics, go over the engine, ensure you have good communication gear and a good inventory of safety gear including an EPIRB. You can rent one from Boat US. Your enthusiasm here while aboard will not set you apart from the rest of the crew, but display interest in everyones safety. Granted, many before you have made open water passages in smaller more agile vessels; even circumnavigated the globe, but be mindful that your in a light vessel, a bit tender in heavy seas and good seamanship skills are necessary. Know the vessel!! If your hugging the coast the entire route, you'll be just fine, but travel in good weather. It will probably be the adventure of a lifetime and you certainly have the sailing experience to take it on. So, good luck on the voyage, stay safe, smart and alert. Bob Breezin II '88 Catalina 30
Crew
The boat will do fine, smaller Catalinas have done more...the question is the crew and their experience.
The boat will do fine, smaller Catalinas have done more...the question is the crew and their experience.
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