Good day all. In planning our vacation... What should we use as a possible distance per day Time to location also. We do have a 2 and a half year old traveling with us. Our plan was to go from Westbrook, CT to Port Jefferson, NY about 39 Nautical Miles away. Then back to Greenport or the tip of the Island. Thank you for your ideas
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Estimates on water ???
Eric: You just never know based on conditions....... If I were doing these estimates, I'd figure that I am going to do 5kt/hr. sail/motoring combined. You are probably going to better. Based on this you have a full day ahead of you 8am-4pm. If you want to improve on this this check out your tides, currents etc. Riding in on a flood or out on an ebb can really help.
Eric: You just never know based on conditions....... If I were doing these estimates, I'd figure that I am going to do 5kt/hr. sail/motoring combined. You are probably going to better. Based on this you have a full day ahead of you 8am-4pm. If you want to improve on this this check out your tides, currents etc. Riding in on a flood or out on an ebb can really help.
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Miles
Most important factor...
The most important factor is how many toys, coloring books, etc. you have along! Personally I'd say a 39 mile sail would be a nice day but my 6 year old would prefer 3-4 hours and then more time to play and explore when we get there. 5 knots is probably a good average speed and I'm sure you could do the trip in a day but what about your crew? Either way have fun!
The most important factor is how many toys, coloring books, etc. you have along! Personally I'd say a 39 mile sail would be a nice day but my 6 year old would prefer 3-4 hours and then more time to play and explore when we get there. 5 knots is probably a good average speed and I'm sure you could do the trip in a day but what about your crew? Either way have fun!
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Al
select alternate harbors
I suggest that you pick a couple of alternate harbors or anchorage sites along the way in case your "crew" gets restless. I sail with three daughters (10, 9, and 7) and usually can get about 5 hours out of them before hitting an anchorage/mooring.
I suggest that you pick a couple of alternate harbors or anchorage sites along the way in case your "crew" gets restless. I sail with three daughters (10, 9, and 7) and usually can get about 5 hours out of them before hitting an anchorage/mooring.
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Colin
5 knots is aptimistic!
I would not figure on averaging 5 knots if you are planning to sail very much. 5 knots is a decent spped for your boat sailing however you will find you need to sail against the wind and that distance made good in your chosen direction will drop your effective speed to about 2 knots or so. Reduce you sights or plan to motor wheneve the wind is against you.
I would not figure on averaging 5 knots if you are planning to sail very much. 5 knots is a decent spped for your boat sailing however you will find you need to sail against the wind and that distance made good in your chosen direction will drop your effective speed to about 2 knots or so. Reduce you sights or plan to motor wheneve the wind is against you.
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Andy Howard
We take several 4 or 5 day mini-cruises with the kids every year. 40 miles or 8 hours is about right for a maximum distance/time in one day. Bring lots of diversions and a few suprises like new VCR tapes, or games etc and have several alternative plans lined up. I like to get a very early start, just before sunrise, and I get 2 or 3 hours all to myself before my wife and crew crawl out of bed. This also gives us most of the afternoon at our destination for play and exploring. It also helps to just take a break, drop the lunch hook, and go swimming, or take a dingy ride to break up the day. Just be flexible and have a great time.
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Denny P.
A three hour tour, a three hour tour
I recently delivered a boat to a nearby harbor, it was supposed to be a three hour trip. Now, here in the central west coast of Florida we don't sail in the afternoon as a rule, so, I left at sunrise. I didn't look at the Weather Channel as I didn't have time to rouse my crew (better half) and pack etc. The three hour delivery took eight and a half, the weather was terrible cause I was on a schedule and couldent pick my window of weather. I had to motor most of the way cause of contrary currents and wind, yuck!!!!!! To sum it up, pick your OWN weather window and,,,, the most uncomfortable sailor is the one who sails on a schedule.. If the weather is not ideal throw another line to the dock buy some extra ice and popcorn and rent some movies.......All the best...Denny P.
I recently delivered a boat to a nearby harbor, it was supposed to be a three hour trip. Now, here in the central west coast of Florida we don't sail in the afternoon as a rule, so, I left at sunrise. I didn't look at the Weather Channel as I didn't have time to rouse my crew (better half) and pack etc. The three hour delivery took eight and a half, the weather was terrible cause I was on a schedule and couldent pick my window of weather. I had to motor most of the way cause of contrary currents and wind, yuck!!!!!! To sum it up, pick your OWN weather window and,,,, the most uncomfortable sailor is the one who sails on a schedule.. If the weather is not ideal throw another line to the dock buy some extra ice and popcorn and rent some movies.......All the best...Denny P.
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Paul Akers
I recently...
...moved my boat 200 miles for the summer. I basically determined how many miles a day I wanted to make. When planning, I estimated 5.5kts/hr for the trip. In reality, I averaged 6.5. But the limit I placed on a daily run was 50nm +/- and about 7-8 hours. We were three adults and coped well under these guidelines. Of course, your requirements may vary, so please consider them.
...moved my boat 200 miles for the summer. I basically determined how many miles a day I wanted to make. When planning, I estimated 5.5kts/hr for the trip. In reality, I averaged 6.5. But the limit I placed on a daily run was 50nm +/- and about 7-8 hours. We were three adults and coped well under these guidelines. Of course, your requirements may vary, so please consider them.
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Pete
Wind and tide
Eric, given the prevaining southwest wind on the Sound, it is likely that you will motor the entire way to Port Jefferson. If you plan your trip with favorable tides, you should be able to get there in 6-7 hours. I hope your baby can handle that. As for going from there to Greenport, even with the best winds and tides you should not plan on doing this in one day. The problem with this leg is that there are no easy layover points on LI's north shore, and you will have to anchor. If you are willing to give up Port Jeff, it is a lovely trip to go to Greenport and around Shelter Island to Sag Harbor. You can usually sail between Westbrook and Plum Gut (Orient Point) without tacking, so that minimizes motoring greatly. You will not have more than 5 hours of sailing/motoring per day. (Be sure to go through Plum Gut with the tide - the current can reach 5 knots.) Good luck and have fun! ~ _/) ~
Eric, given the prevaining southwest wind on the Sound, it is likely that you will motor the entire way to Port Jefferson. If you plan your trip with favorable tides, you should be able to get there in 6-7 hours. I hope your baby can handle that. As for going from there to Greenport, even with the best winds and tides you should not plan on doing this in one day. The problem with this leg is that there are no easy layover points on LI's north shore, and you will have to anchor. If you are willing to give up Port Jeff, it is a lovely trip to go to Greenport and around Shelter Island to Sag Harbor. You can usually sail between Westbrook and Plum Gut (Orient Point) without tacking, so that minimizes motoring greatly. You will not have more than 5 hours of sailing/motoring per day. (Be sure to go through Plum Gut with the tide - the current can reach 5 knots.) Good luck and have fun! ~ _/) ~
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Mike
Be flexible
I agree with all of the others suggesting that you plan not on definetely visiting any one port, but any one of several ports that fit with the weather and your crew's disposition. I don't know how your 21/2 year old is about sailing, but my kids get a little bored after an hour or two. As to how far you can reasonable expect to sail assuming no mutiny, a lot depends on the size (speed) of your boat. For a comparison, it took from 9am to 6pm to sail my Oday 23 from Groton to Branford. The first two thirds of that trip we were sailing about as fast as the boat could go (about 6 knots); the last third, the wind died almost completely and we motored. Its about a 50 mile trip, so figure that on average, a boat that size will not cover that much ground in LI Sound (tides, etc.) for a full day's sail. Be prepared to change your destination based on tides, weather, whim or temper tantrum.
I agree with all of the others suggesting that you plan not on definetely visiting any one port, but any one of several ports that fit with the weather and your crew's disposition. I don't know how your 21/2 year old is about sailing, but my kids get a little bored after an hour or two. As to how far you can reasonable expect to sail assuming no mutiny, a lot depends on the size (speed) of your boat. For a comparison, it took from 9am to 6pm to sail my Oday 23 from Groton to Branford. The first two thirds of that trip we were sailing about as fast as the boat could go (about 6 knots); the last third, the wind died almost completely and we motored. Its about a 50 mile trip, so figure that on average, a boat that size will not cover that much ground in LI Sound (tides, etc.) for a full day's sail. Be prepared to change your destination based on tides, weather, whim or temper tantrum.
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Ray
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