customizing C 22 for Great loop cruise

[druid]

I had my Venture 22 out in some pretty gnarly weather on Georgia Strait. Got knocked down a few times (they're very tender!) but always ended up safe, if not at the destination I had intended. I remember one day, sailing single-handed in a gale and seeing a Coast Guard aircraft and thinking "he must think I'm nuts!". But even referring to a C22, the adage "the craft will probably survive better than the captain" is true. Just keep the keel locked down, and the companionway closed! (and use a harness)

druid

 

[jmczzz]

I didn't bite Jack. I been aboard sailboats hunkered down in Cane holes in at least 5 storms that came in on my location. Those of us that grew up on the water of the Northern Gulf of Mex coast know when to find a hole. I haven't forgotten those lessons. That is one of the advantages of the C22, run that 1.5 ft draft boat up a creek and put out 2 or 3 anchors. The only time I had a real problem was in the industrial canal behind Gulfport and the draw bridge was broken so we had to spend a week or so waiting for repairs so the shrimpers could get out that had me blocked.
However windage is a major concern if caught out in it. Even in a bay or the Ms Sound. That's a much bigger problem than living in a small space. I get cabin sole to hatchway bottom edge ar 51 " at 5' 9" I need a shade over 69" So how much more windage is 18" for 7 ft gonna add? 18" higher would be strip of 18 x 84 = 5112 sq in or 35.5 sq ft. that might = a fair size sail. on a side, if I'm remembering the math correctly.
I would rather not find out the hard way, but don't want to depend on anecdotal evidence either.
James

 

[jmczzz]

Allen, I was wondering about that, thanks a lot for the input. James

 

[Skipper]

Oh PLEASE.

They made SEVENTY FIVE TIMES the number of Catalina 22s than Bristol made of your boat. With that number of hulls afloat you're bound to find vids of people sailing very poorly (vid #1) or caught in violent weather (vid #2).

Are you trying to scare him?

I bet if I search hard enough I could find at least one video online of a Bristol 29 owner doing stupid things on the water! ;^)

Ok, do your search. Good luck.
Actually, if there were a camera on my boat, there'd be a whole video album of stupid things done on a 29.9. :-D
I'm not trying to scare him. He asked where I sourced my statement. I've seen 22's go over multiple times in person. But I didn't have video.
Anyway he asked for input. I'll say again the boat is not great for his task but it'll do it if properly executed. I applaud him for his initiative and adventurist spirit. Small boat cruising is something we should all do at least once.

 

[jmczzz]

Skipper, I'd trade one or maybe both of my balls for your Bristol 29, but at my age you probably would rather not. I see a Bristol 24 up in NY state but land locked on a wood frame for 3 + years in a back yard. I would go for that but for my time running out. I gotta do this or ???.
Thanks James

 

[Jackdaw]

Ok, do your search. Good luck.
Actually, if there were a camera on my boat, there'd be a whole video album of stupid things done on a 29.9. :-D
I'm not trying to scare him. He asked where I sourced my statement. I've seen 22's go over multiple times in person. But I didn't have video.
Anyway he asked for input. I'll say again the boat is not great for his task but it'll do it if properly executed. I applaud him for his initiative and adventurist spirit. Small boat cruising is something we should all do at least once.

All good!

 

[kito]

So you are not looking for advice but reassurance? Get your Sawsall out and have at it then You got my vote! Take pics and post.

 

[Skipper]

Skipper, I'd trade one or maybe both of my balls for your Bristol 29, but at my age you probably would rather not.

:-D Now I know you're a true sailor. Welcome aboard.

 

[jmczzz]

Just got a pm from an old acquaintance, He may have a good solution a mac 25 pop top with a canvas cover I think it will fit on some removable SS bimini post i have around and wala a hard dodger. with canvass cover sounds pretty good. Never know when a favor is gonna come back. thanks RA

 

[jmczzz]

No just want to know if i'm over looking something obvious... been know to do that. lol. James

 

[Johnb]

I would want to be readily able to raise and lower the mast single handedly on the water, bound to save a bunch of problems and allow you in to nooks and crannies you otherwise could not go.

 

[bushav]

You will also need new stays if you raise the mast $$$.

 

[jmczzz]

John, yea you rite (as they say in NOLA). We trashed that out some time ago on this forum. i ve used the rig I made several times, on the water, single handed. takes a little set up time for a slow mover but it works fine and stows on board. search for jmczzz - single handed mast stepping on the water. there were pics and description on the old forum, guess they are still available

But bushav, why is that?
thanks, James

 

[jmczzz]

kito, stop trying to put words in my mouth, I have made it clear i welcome ALL input. I sure don't need reassurance, couldn't you put it a little different words. thanks, james

 

[David in Sandusky]

My understanding of the Great Loop is that it is almost all rivers, canals, and the ICW - in other words, protected waters. So I think there are certainly good contingency plans for a C-22 in foul weather or other threatening conditions. I can speak for the Great Lakes legs - you can do it with careful attention to weather forecasts and radar on an iPhone or equivalent.

On the boat mods, I would go for an expanded pop top or pilot house behind the mast, more to avoid complexity, and real mast support issues if you move the step up 20 inches.

All the accounts I have read of the Great Loop (and my own experience in canals and the ICW) imply that you will do a lot of motoring, so make sure you have a good set up for motoring. I recommend a tiller pilot especially for the open water legs in the Great Lakes, Chesapeake, sounds, etc.

You know your boat, and if, for any reason, you decide you have had enough, you just need to get to your car and trailer, and call it a day!

I say go for it! Fair winds and following seas, and we will help any way we can with your specific mods - just ask as you know your decisions, and designs.

 

[jmczzz]

yea David, i think you're right about that. I like the hard dodger canvass cover idea that has come up better that any idea I 've had. except rather than pop top I will put it on bimini post with eyes so i can take it down when not needed. you are right about mostly inland water even taking the Canadian canals will cut off some of the open Great Lakes passages.
but slow and steady will be the rule and not minding waiting on good weather.

Another pus for the C22 is my newish 6hp Tohatsu LS motors it near hull speed at about 1/3 throttle just sipping gas. I mounted it on a double piped c25 mount BTW, strong and springs up easier.
thanks James

 

[David in Sandusky]

Never thought of it for you, but our canvas cover here:

http://hunter.sailboatowners.com/mods.php?task=article&mid=16&aid=7416&mn=27_75-84

ties into our Bimini with a zipper as you are thinking. It's truly dry underneath, and takes less than 10 minutes for one to rig with shock cords, zipper, and light lines on the aft corners. It has held up when a cold front, thunder line with 50 knot winds hit us. And when we are under way it's gone. No windage or vision issues. Doubt this is the whole solution, but it might give you some ideas.

 

[jmczzz]

good idea, are ther some sort of poles at the flaps zipper point? thanks James

 

[David in Sandusky]

The Bimini attaches around its forward frame with a 4 inch fringe hanging down in front. The canvas folks at this site had fabricated the Bimini. I had them make the cover for the cabin to my design. They sewed the zipper to the under side of the flap and the other side to the aft end of the cover so they marry up easily when putting up the cover. That way, the frame of the Bimini holds up and gives shape to the aft end of the cover.

 

[jmczzz]

good work David thanks for the info I am pursuing you idea. James