So I have been dreaming of sailing away. Sell almost everything I own, fit out the boat and head south (I am in the Boston area). Take my Bride, the dog and a boat and go to the Caribbean via the ICW and maybe beyond to Central/South American coast (Belize, Mexico, Panama, etc.). Lately, my Bride has seemed less opposed to this plan. Makes me think it may really happen. We will see.
So I have been thinking about what boat I would do it on. First, to me this would not be a true "blue water" trip. Sure, there would be some big sailing to cross to the island, between the islands and to the Central/South American coast. However, if you take time and pick your weather window right, I would classify this type of sailing as "aggressive coastal cruising". Second, from all that I have read you spend more time at anchor then actually sailing when you do a trip like this. (I don't have any personal experience sailing the Caribbean yet, but we have a charter booked in the BVIs in November.) So the boat needs to be comfortable at anchor. When I add up all of the "must haves" for both my Bride and I, the boats that fit the bill are either 40+ foot boats or our 310.
So now I am questioning if the 310 is capable of this trip. Many have done it in Catalina 27s and 30s; some of which were highly modified. I read this article about sailing a 320 from Savannah, GA to St. Thomas. In that article, they sailed a direct, non-stop 1,300 nm passage with a gulf stream crossing.
Here is the question, would you sail a 310 in the way I described above?
If you would, what modifications would you do before casting off?
Here is a list of the modifications I had in mind. These are in addition to normal maintenance items like replacing all of the running rigging, inspecting and replacing, if necessary, the standing rigging and rebedding all of the deck hardware (with butyl tape).
1. Motor - Since I purchased the boat I have replaced all of the hoses, changed to a Oberdorfer water pump, a K&N air filter, repaired a broken wet exhaust (I also carry a spare made out of black iron), flushed the antifreeze, checked the motor mounts and engine wire harness, new thermostat and all the typical oil changes, transmission fluid changes, zinc and impeller changes. This winter I plan to remove, clean and repaint the heat exchanger, upgrade the PCV valve, paint the motor, add a shut off valve at the Racor filter, change the drive belt, add an oil pressure gauge, change a few parts in the cooling system (pressure cap, air bleeder valve and temperature sender) and re-sound insulate the engine box.
Last year I had the cutlass bearing changed and I repacked the stuffing box this year but would consider going to a PSS for this trip. This would likely involve cutting the existing shaft out, getting a new shaft made and having it lap fitted to a new coupling and the prop. The main reason for this would be that I would want to change the stuffing box hose; it is original so over 10 years old.
I don't think there is anything else I would do to the engine other then go through my spares and make sure I had a good inventory of parts and supplies.
2. DC Electrical - Last year I replaced one of the 4D batteries and installed a new Xantrex Truecharge 2 battery charger. This winter I plan to change the fusing and charging distribution setup (possibly putting the two 4D batteries in parallel as a house bank and adding a starting battery), add a temperature sensor and remote panel to the chargers.
As far as upgrades for the trip, I would want to add a couple of solar panels, upgrade the alternator, and add a battery monitor. I would probably also get a small Honda generator (I think the e2000 with direct connection for the shore power system).
3. Electronics - I currently have an older Raymarine system that includes a combined radar display/chart plotter (gray scale), wind, depth and speed instruments, VHF with RAM mic at helm and a wheel autopilot. I don't use the chart plotter for navigation, I use my Garmin hand held, paper charts and compass. I also usually carry my cellphone, tablet and laptop all of which have Navionics or equivalent. I would get a puck GPS for the laptop/tablet as a cheap backup. Also, all the paper charts for the areas I would go plus a cheap plastic sextant.
As far as upgrages, I can go two ways. Both would involve converting the wheel autopilot to a below deck unit. Option 1, keep all of the components the same other than the autopilot, get a second Garmin hand held, a sat phone, a "in reach" or "spot", and a hand held VHF. Option 2, change the chart plotter and radar to a new Garmin HD unit, change the autopilot, get a sat phone, a "in read" or "spot", and a hand held VHF.
4. Sails - My mainsail has two reef points and is in good condition. I have a 135 Genny in good condition. I have been thinking of adding luff foam to the 135 genny to help with reefed sail shape.
Upgrades: new mainsail with 3 reef points and gail sail.
5. Emergency Equipment - I have a full stack of plugs, epoxy, life jackets, flares, etc. most in a ditch bag. I don't have harness and jacklines but plan to add this year.
Upgrades: sea anchor/drogue, some "D" ring connection points in the cockpit, new life lines.
6. Anchoring - This year I upgraded to a 35 lb Manson Supreme on 30 ft of chain and 200 feet of rope. I don't have the chain gypsey on the windless.
Upgrades: new windless with chain gypsey, add 70 feet of chain to the Manson, add two 22 lb danforth anchors (one in the anchor locker and one at the stern) with 30 feet of chain and 200 ft of rope. Maybe one of the anchor sails and snubbers.
7. Comforts - We already have a grill set up with a second propane tank, stereo, TV with DVD player on inverter, and other basic stuff.
Upgrades: water maker, yetty ice box, portable ice maker, foot pump for fresh water, 2 kindles, dinghy davits and salt water deck wash down.
Let me know what you think. I should get back to work now or I won't be able to afford this list
.
So I have been thinking about what boat I would do it on. First, to me this would not be a true "blue water" trip. Sure, there would be some big sailing to cross to the island, between the islands and to the Central/South American coast. However, if you take time and pick your weather window right, I would classify this type of sailing as "aggressive coastal cruising". Second, from all that I have read you spend more time at anchor then actually sailing when you do a trip like this. (I don't have any personal experience sailing the Caribbean yet, but we have a charter booked in the BVIs in November.) So the boat needs to be comfortable at anchor. When I add up all of the "must haves" for both my Bride and I, the boats that fit the bill are either 40+ foot boats or our 310.
So now I am questioning if the 310 is capable of this trip. Many have done it in Catalina 27s and 30s; some of which were highly modified. I read this article about sailing a 320 from Savannah, GA to St. Thomas. In that article, they sailed a direct, non-stop 1,300 nm passage with a gulf stream crossing.
Here is the question, would you sail a 310 in the way I described above?
If you would, what modifications would you do before casting off?
Here is a list of the modifications I had in mind. These are in addition to normal maintenance items like replacing all of the running rigging, inspecting and replacing, if necessary, the standing rigging and rebedding all of the deck hardware (with butyl tape).
1. Motor - Since I purchased the boat I have replaced all of the hoses, changed to a Oberdorfer water pump, a K&N air filter, repaired a broken wet exhaust (I also carry a spare made out of black iron), flushed the antifreeze, checked the motor mounts and engine wire harness, new thermostat and all the typical oil changes, transmission fluid changes, zinc and impeller changes. This winter I plan to remove, clean and repaint the heat exchanger, upgrade the PCV valve, paint the motor, add a shut off valve at the Racor filter, change the drive belt, add an oil pressure gauge, change a few parts in the cooling system (pressure cap, air bleeder valve and temperature sender) and re-sound insulate the engine box.
Last year I had the cutlass bearing changed and I repacked the stuffing box this year but would consider going to a PSS for this trip. This would likely involve cutting the existing shaft out, getting a new shaft made and having it lap fitted to a new coupling and the prop. The main reason for this would be that I would want to change the stuffing box hose; it is original so over 10 years old.
I don't think there is anything else I would do to the engine other then go through my spares and make sure I had a good inventory of parts and supplies.
2. DC Electrical - Last year I replaced one of the 4D batteries and installed a new Xantrex Truecharge 2 battery charger. This winter I plan to change the fusing and charging distribution setup (possibly putting the two 4D batteries in parallel as a house bank and adding a starting battery), add a temperature sensor and remote panel to the chargers.
As far as upgrades for the trip, I would want to add a couple of solar panels, upgrade the alternator, and add a battery monitor. I would probably also get a small Honda generator (I think the e2000 with direct connection for the shore power system).
3. Electronics - I currently have an older Raymarine system that includes a combined radar display/chart plotter (gray scale), wind, depth and speed instruments, VHF with RAM mic at helm and a wheel autopilot. I don't use the chart plotter for navigation, I use my Garmin hand held, paper charts and compass. I also usually carry my cellphone, tablet and laptop all of which have Navionics or equivalent. I would get a puck GPS for the laptop/tablet as a cheap backup. Also, all the paper charts for the areas I would go plus a cheap plastic sextant.
As far as upgrages, I can go two ways. Both would involve converting the wheel autopilot to a below deck unit. Option 1, keep all of the components the same other than the autopilot, get a second Garmin hand held, a sat phone, a "in reach" or "spot", and a hand held VHF. Option 2, change the chart plotter and radar to a new Garmin HD unit, change the autopilot, get a sat phone, a "in read" or "spot", and a hand held VHF.
4. Sails - My mainsail has two reef points and is in good condition. I have a 135 Genny in good condition. I have been thinking of adding luff foam to the 135 genny to help with reefed sail shape.
Upgrades: new mainsail with 3 reef points and gail sail.
5. Emergency Equipment - I have a full stack of plugs, epoxy, life jackets, flares, etc. most in a ditch bag. I don't have harness and jacklines but plan to add this year.
Upgrades: sea anchor/drogue, some "D" ring connection points in the cockpit, new life lines.
6. Anchoring - This year I upgraded to a 35 lb Manson Supreme on 30 ft of chain and 200 feet of rope. I don't have the chain gypsey on the windless.
Upgrades: new windless with chain gypsey, add 70 feet of chain to the Manson, add two 22 lb danforth anchors (one in the anchor locker and one at the stern) with 30 feet of chain and 200 ft of rope. Maybe one of the anchor sails and snubbers.
7. Comforts - We already have a grill set up with a second propane tank, stereo, TV with DVD player on inverter, and other basic stuff.
Upgrades: water maker, yetty ice box, portable ice maker, foot pump for fresh water, 2 kindles, dinghy davits and salt water deck wash down.
Let me know what you think. I should get back to work now or I won't be able to afford this list
.
