First Sea Voyage - Any Advice is Appreciated

Gunni · Oct 25, 2011

1) a workable, easy to use gybe preventer.
2) a practiced heave-to technique.
3) through-hull plugs fit for every through-hull on the boat.
4) working nav lights and the ability to keep them lit for 18 hours.
5) two VHF radios, one with a masthead antennae, one a handheld.
6) EPIRB/PLB - registered and contacts updated.
7) a float plan with your contacts.
8) an inflatable dingy or liferaft.

I think #8 is where the advisability of taking a Catalina 22 offshore overnight stops making sense (unless you have easy access to a liferaft).

The area offshore of Savannah has some crazy busy trawler/fishing boat traffic along with tows and shipping. The place typically looks like grand central station with all that traffic headed to the port of Savannah. I would be concerned with collision avoidance.

Eric M · Oct 25, 2011

Navigation at night is much more dificult than it is by day. Channel markers you can see at 1/2 mile in daylight have a tendency to pop right out of the water 20 feet in front of you at night. A high power spot light is of great use if you expect to be needing to locate markers / bouys at night. Cruise ships are another challenge at night. They are lit up like a christmas tree, and you can't see their nav lights to figure out which way they are going until you are pretty darn close to them. A good pair of binoculars are invaluable for trying to pick out their nav lights from the rest of the lights on the ship.
If you only have to run 15 NM, why not run during the day?
As for what to pack, food that reqires no more prepration than opening a sandwich bag to eat is always a good plan in case the conditions get worse than forecast, you will still be able to eat. On that same note, a change of dry clothes and an extra jacket. Nothing worse than being cold and wet and still hours from port.
Have Fun

Benny17441 · Oct 25, 2011

I don't think he is going to run at night, I think he means to sleep in the boat before heading back. In a 22' boat the best thing you can do is wait for a weather window. Remember "Always sail the weather, not the schedule". Two things come to mind, 1) have enough fuel for the auxilliary outboard for each leg and 2) check the rudder assembly for cracks or loose hardware. Oh, one other thing, purchase an unlimited towing service insurance coverage. It will be about $125 for a year but if you use it just once you will likely come ahead. The reason I recommend it is that if you have a mechanical failure or are unble to get back in because of weather they will go out and get you. They can be accessed through a cell phone or the local provider through a VHF radio. Cheap peace of mind.

Ross · Oct 25, 2011

A ship traveling at 12 knots covers a nautical mile in five minutes. I tend to get very much out of the way when i see a ship.

Bob S · Oct 25, 2011

I'm not sure he means he will be sailing at night but rather he will be covering 15nm's on his trip and will be anchoring overnight? I guess he'll have to be more specific. If I where going to be sailing at night in shipping lanes I would definitely want radar. Reading navigation lights in a busy area the first time can be difficult and quite nerve racking.

I had noticed lights crossing Buzzards Bay at night (9nm) just sitting in the channel. I thought it weird it wasn't moving. I started to think that maybe the lights were coming from land but my radar showed the ship in the channel just sitting there. I had my radio on 16 listening. As I got closer I decided to make a sharp turn and head for it's stern and it started moving. It was a quiet night with no wind and a full moon. I should have done a radio check but I didn't want to leave the helm. It was really nice to have radar overlaid on a chartplotter. There was no question what I saw but was baffled as to why it sat there so long. It was at least a half hour and probably longer while I watched it do nothing but sit there and my course should/would have had me cutting in front of her.

RichH · Oct 25, 2011

Probably THE most important safety item on a small boat in the ocean is a secure companionway ... such that the companionway boards can be either partly left in place & LOCKED in place so that you can easily step over and go into the cabin or completely 'seal' the boat interior to prevent 'down-flooding' in case the cockpit gets 'pooped' or filled completely with water ... and has NO place to quickly go but down *into* the boat. A simple rope and cleats to hold the 'boards' in place is the easiest way to do this, also locking 'barrel bolts' work too.

Just imagine your cockpit totally filled with water ... and ask yourself the question: is one or two companionway 'boards' enough to stop the water from going down into the boat?

Bowedtoothdoc · Oct 25, 2011

CrawJac said:
Spot on! I'm going to carry enough fuel to cover more than a round trip and I've already learned my lesson with TowBoat U.S. once. I'm fully covered and have the number memorized.

Sounds like fun. I would check the weather forecast before leaving the dock!
I recently purchased a boat near by in Brunswick and will be going out regularly.
When and where exactly are you planning on this? We might be able to talk on VHF or more. If you do not want to post the details you can send me a PM.
Happy Sailing,
BT

Joe · Oct 25, 2011

Fifteen miles is a perfect excursion for your first open water experience. I don't see the need for a liferaft, unless you feel uncomfortable.... my daysails are always in open ocean and usually 15-25 miles depending on the time I have.

The difference for you, of course, is that you are exploring new territory. That is exciting no matter how far you travel and how far you venture off shore.

My biggest concern was always about getting lost in the fog. So.... a gps with appropriate waypoints, and charts. If you have a fancy chartplotter, that's very cool. But charts and a gps are a must.

A harness and tether.... and wear it... and stay clipped on especially if you are solo.

Next... vhf radio.... fixed mount and handheld if possible. Put it on the weather channel every so often.

Binoculars to help you pick up nav aids and recognize landmarks.

Auto pilot/tiller. The best $500 you will ever spend. Use it occasionally to give your self a break, check your navigation, use the head, make a snack, stretch out. While the AP is on is good time to scan the area with your binoculars.

Healthy batteries...... and a frugal approach to power usage.

Plenty of fresh water.

Extra fuel.... but 15 miles is not going to tax your resources too much.

A comfortable seat cushion, a throw blanket, towels, foulies and proper clothing.

Make sure all your safety gear is up to date, in case the coast guard wants to inspect you (that happens a lot around here).

Let someone know that you're going overnight.

Rich's suggestion regarding cockpit drains and lockable hatchboards is advised if you don't have a bridge deck. (although I must admit that my hatchboards don't lock)

Attitude.... do not linger near shore. Go out at least 2 miles. Deep water is better, The waves aren't as annoying.

Make sure the bilge pump is working.

Check the through hulls and tie the appropriately sized wooden plugs to them.

IMPORTANT...... take notes.... write down things of interest. Record your position every hour, mark down speed, course, time, sea and wind condtions, weather. Describe your feelings, comment on anything that seems interesting or important. For instance, spotting a particular bouy, how the boat handles in certain conditions, the quality of cell service, if any.... etc. Make note of your mistakes and what you would do differently. Take pictures. Create a little guide book for each leg of your trip. Use it for future reference.

dscribner · Oct 25, 2011

Someone to sail with and pour a glass of Merlot for, while nestled in a quite cove. Everything else is inconsequential.

RobertLangdirect · Oct 25, 2011

CrawJac said:
I'm starting to plan my first open sea voyage and overnighter . . . . First, any tips for the open sea? . . . Second, what all would I need to pack for an overnight trip?

I've been here and did this, really. So I recommend, first, women about 15 years junior to yourself and, second, protection.

Of course, I mean that you should hire young women who have great attention to detail to wax your boat before you leave and you want to ensure that they use sunscreen while working for you.

Sure!

Ross · Oct 25, 2011

I will bet good money that you have sailed fifteen miles before with little or no concern. Pick your day and go. I can't sail 2800 miles to Landsend, England but i can sail for 12 hours. So I will sail to Landsend 12 hours at a time.

Stu Jackson · Oct 25, 2011

All good advice, but let's be real. This is a Catalina website. He has a Catalina 22. Discussions of bridgedecks are somewhat meaningless.

Have a good safe time.

AtlanticAl · Oct 25, 2011

Buy a gore-tex bivy bag, put your sleeping bag inside it, and roll it up, that way, when you get to where you are going, no matter what the weather was like, or how much the boat leaked (ever boat i had, leaked at the toe rails) you will still have something dry to sleep it, even if the cushions are wet, it wont get through the gore-tex bag.

sailingsilkeborg · Oct 27, 2011

First Sea Voyage

I'd leave the booze at home, to reduce the chance of becoming a Darwin Award nominee.

RECESS · Oct 27, 2011

Assuming the boat is sound and you have all the right gear. Take flat bread with you. Regular bread often ends up flat anyway. Lots of water and Gatoraid. If your wife (assuming the wife is going) gets anxious when you are sailing off shore, lower the sails and motor for a while. For some reason when my wife gets anxious, and she is a good sailor, motoring with a level boat calms her nerves. Make meals special even if what you are eating is not. If you are going to eat underway, take down the sails and motor while eating, my wife likes it much better.

In case you have not noticed, I do a lot to make my wife as comfortable as possible. As long as she loves the cruising, I get to cruise a lot more with our boat.

Ross · Oct 27, 2011

I have finally been able to convince Nancy that the boat will be more comfortable with some sail up than with no sail. So I often reef or even double reef to take the stress off the boat and off my wife. Motoring with a reefed sail is much smoother that with bare poles.