Have you sailed offshore (on the ocean)? Was it your boat, someone else', or a charter? Was a true blue water passage, a day of coastal sailing, or a quiuck jaunt out of the breakwater? How did the boat hold up? How did you hold up? Would you like to do it again, or was once more than enough? Share your ocean sailing experiences here, then vote in this week's Quick Quiz at the bottom of the home page.
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Ben Allen
Gulf of Mexico
I usually trailer down to the Gulf of Mexico in the Perdido Bay, Alabama area about twice a year. Previous trips were with my Catalina 25, now have a winter cruise with sevearl other trailer sailors lined up for Feburary with my O'Day 26. Getting out in the ocean is a completly different experience and makes you not want to return to lake sailing. Trailer boats, for the majority, are not considered blue water boats, but make great coastal water cruisers, but you need to keep aware of the weather conditions. With this, you can tuck back into protected waters if need be. The really great aspect of ocean sailing is the ability to set your sail, and not touch anything for several hours, just sailing and watching the dolphins jump off your bow spray. If anyone is interested, the "Winter Cruise" that I mentioned eariler will take place from Feburary 18 - 24. Starting in Pensacola, FL, heading west to Perdido Bay, back east to Destin, FL., and then returing to Pensacola. There will be between 12 - 20 boat in the 24-26 foot range. We will stay at marina's on one or two occations, the rest of the nights we will be stopping at anchorages in protected waters. The group would like to coastal sail as much as possible and only take to the ICW when wind and weather will not cooperate. If you would like to get on the roosted for this event, e-mail me at benallen1@mindspring.com. (This is not a commercial message as there is no cost to join, every captain is responsible for his or her own boat.) Ben Allen Montgomery, AL "Wahoo" OD 26
I usually trailer down to the Gulf of Mexico in the Perdido Bay, Alabama area about twice a year. Previous trips were with my Catalina 25, now have a winter cruise with sevearl other trailer sailors lined up for Feburary with my O'Day 26. Getting out in the ocean is a completly different experience and makes you not want to return to lake sailing. Trailer boats, for the majority, are not considered blue water boats, but make great coastal water cruisers, but you need to keep aware of the weather conditions. With this, you can tuck back into protected waters if need be. The really great aspect of ocean sailing is the ability to set your sail, and not touch anything for several hours, just sailing and watching the dolphins jump off your bow spray. If anyone is interested, the "Winter Cruise" that I mentioned eariler will take place from Feburary 18 - 24. Starting in Pensacola, FL, heading west to Perdido Bay, back east to Destin, FL., and then returing to Pensacola. There will be between 12 - 20 boat in the 24-26 foot range. We will stay at marina's on one or two occations, the rest of the nights we will be stopping at anchorages in protected waters. The group would like to coastal sail as much as possible and only take to the ICW when wind and weather will not cooperate. If you would like to get on the roosted for this event, e-mail me at benallen1@mindspring.com. (This is not a commercial message as there is no cost to join, every captain is responsible for his or her own boat.) Ben Allen Montgomery, AL "Wahoo" OD 26
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Dan Tobin
Never, but always dream...
I've never been off Lake Ontario, but read Robin Graham's accounts in "Dove" as a youngster many times. All of the books I've read are similar "life experiences", but cover very little on how to actually prepare for offshore passages. I'm interested in how others have gained this experience, as I dream about retirement and a larger boat.
I've never been off Lake Ontario, but read Robin Graham's accounts in "Dove" as a youngster many times. All of the books I've read are similar "life experiences", but cover very little on how to actually prepare for offshore passages. I'm interested in how others have gained this experience, as I dream about retirement and a larger boat.
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Tom Carr
Lovin It !!!
This year for the first time I got to take my 26 ft O'Day up the coast To trade in on a 28 ft O'Day with inboard and a wheel . Loved the 26 and the28 is even better 3000lbs make for a better ride .I'm more in heaven now than before !!! I also got to go to the Bahamas on a 40 ft Endeaver what a boat displacement around 18 tons unblieiveable in a squall ! a week of fun then the inland waterway in Fla." In Gods Country "
This year for the first time I got to take my 26 ft O'Day up the coast To trade in on a 28 ft O'Day with inboard and a wheel . Loved the 26 and the28 is even better 3000lbs make for a better ride .I'm more in heaven now than before !!! I also got to go to the Bahamas on a 40 ft Endeaver what a boat displacement around 18 tons unblieiveable in a squall ! a week of fun then the inland waterway in Fla." In Gods Country "
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R.W. Landau
Just out side Hawk Channel
In the spring of 2000 I went on a 10 day sail from Fort Lauderdale to Marathon and back. The wind was from ssw most of the time, so the way down was mostly motoring and hidding a couple days in the intracoastal. On the way back from of Marathon the wind held true and we ran at 8 knots in an Allied Seawind II. It was then we ventured 12 miles out of Hawk Channel and enjoyed the stunning BLUE water.Another intresting thing happened on the trip. We decided to anchor inside of Rodriguez Key for the night. About 10:00 pm we listened to the marine forecast. It stated that the wind was going to shift to NE. That made Rodriguez Key a lee shore. We moved the boat to the ocean side of the Key and spent a sheltered night in the Ocean. Truely seemed backward, but was the right thing to do. r.w.landau
In the spring of 2000 I went on a 10 day sail from Fort Lauderdale to Marathon and back. The wind was from ssw most of the time, so the way down was mostly motoring and hidding a couple days in the intracoastal. On the way back from of Marathon the wind held true and we ran at 8 knots in an Allied Seawind II. It was then we ventured 12 miles out of Hawk Channel and enjoyed the stunning BLUE water.Another intresting thing happened on the trip. We decided to anchor inside of Rodriguez Key for the night. About 10:00 pm we listened to the marine forecast. It stated that the wind was going to shift to NE. That made Rodriguez Key a lee shore. We moved the boat to the ocean side of the Key and spent a sheltered night in the Ocean. Truely seemed backward, but was the right thing to do. r.w.landau
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ODO Editorial
Final results
Final results for the Quick Quiz ending 10/23/2000: Have you ventured offshore? 38% 6 to 50 miles 16% No 16% Up to 5 miles 14% Over 50
Final results for the Quick Quiz ending 10/23/2000: Have you ventured offshore? 38% 6 to 50 miles 16% No 16% Up to 5 miles 14% Over 50
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John Keane
Bermuda race
I am planning to enter the Marion-Bermuda race. The race starts on 6-22-01. This will be my first jaunt accross the gulfstream. I have done a ton of cruising in the waters from Maine to Rhode Island (newport). Check me out during the race.. The vessel's name is Bottle of Smoke (named after a fictitious 25:1 longshot racehorse)
I am planning to enter the Marion-Bermuda race. The race starts on 6-22-01. This will be my first jaunt accross the gulfstream. I have done a ton of cruising in the waters from Maine to Rhode Island (newport). Check me out during the race.. The vessel's name is Bottle of Smoke (named after a fictitious 25:1 longshot racehorse)
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Mike Quinn
Offshore Sailing
I have done it. I am now up to 10,500 miles off shore ! Not bad for only doing offshore stuff a few weeks out of the year! If you can get the chance GO FOR IT !! It is a whole other world out there and when you have your 1st watch a 2am and not a another boat around for miles upon miles,(maybe not for days !) and while your doing a cool 7 knts upon a star lit night as you look up one shoots across the sky ......thats what it is all about....I do it every chance I get.Have been to Bermuda,British & american virgin islands Go for it, nothing like loosing site of land for 5-9 days at a time
I have done it. I am now up to 10,500 miles off shore ! Not bad for only doing offshore stuff a few weeks out of the year! If you can get the chance GO FOR IT !! It is a whole other world out there and when you have your 1st watch a 2am and not a another boat around for miles upon miles,(maybe not for days !) and while your doing a cool 7 knts upon a star lit night as you look up one shoots across the sky ......thats what it is all about....I do it every chance I get.Have been to Bermuda,British & american virgin islands Go for it, nothing like loosing site of land for 5-9 days at a time
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