Curious to know how far anyone has gone in their "small" cruisers. Distance from your home port cruising relatively close to shore or out into the blue water. I'm interested in sailing a relatively small trip across Buzzards Bay (15-20 miles) for me thats a bit of a trip in a 25 Cherub. suggestions, stories and recommendations appreciated.
- Status
No problem
I used to take my Catalina 25 to the Vineyard from Sakonnet River. Just watch the weather and stay within the windows. Cuttyhunk is a charm. Just follow the tide thru the canal from your home port. Try to skip later in the day when the wind opposes the tide, or else, duck into Onset for a treat. It's worth staying the night.
I used to take my Catalina 25 to the Vineyard from Sakonnet River. Just watch the weather and stay within the windows. Cuttyhunk is a charm. Just follow the tide thru the canal from your home port. Try to skip later in the day when the wind opposes the tide, or else, duck into Onset for a treat. It's worth staying the night.
Great lakes
We took our Macgregor 26X about 65 mile up the coast of Lake Michigan (you know one of the great lakes) It was a great time the boat did just fine.
We took our Macgregor 26X about 65 mile up the coast of Lake Michigan (you know one of the great lakes) It was a great time the boat did just fine.
crossed the Sea of Cortez
in a Hunter 260. 85 miles in aboout 26 hours no problem. Recommend having a good VHF with antenna on the masthead in case you do encounter troubles. Like Paul said, watch your weather window and plan accordingly. The nice thing about your area, there is tons of weather info, forcasts, alerts, etc. In the Sea of Cortez, weather forcasting is pretty much non existant.
in a Hunter 260. 85 miles in aboout 26 hours no problem. Recommend having a good VHF with antenna on the masthead in case you do encounter troubles. Like Paul said, watch your weather window and plan accordingly. The nice thing about your area, there is tons of weather info, forcasts, alerts, etc. In the Sea of Cortez, weather forcasting is pretty much non existant.
Lake Michigan/Lake Ontario
I have spent a month aboard my 2003 260 on both Lake Michigan and Ontario. The boat handled the conditions very well. One of the days on Lake M. we had steady 8-9ft waves with the occasional 10-11footer. This was not really fun however I was suprised at how well the boat handled such waves. I would recomend NOT venturing out in those conditions, I didnt realise just how bad it was until was in it, however if you find yourself stuck in those condtions the boat will take it supriusingly well and at the end of the day the only damage was to the Saloon......it was a freaking mess! Enjoy your sail Brad
I have spent a month aboard my 2003 260 on both Lake Michigan and Ontario. The boat handled the conditions very well. One of the days on Lake M. we had steady 8-9ft waves with the occasional 10-11footer. This was not really fun however I was suprised at how well the boat handled such waves. I would recomend NOT venturing out in those conditions, I didnt realise just how bad it was until was in it, however if you find yourself stuck in those condtions the boat will take it supriusingly well and at the end of the day the only damage was to the Saloon......it was a freaking mess! Enjoy your sail Brad
15-20mi is a casual day usually
How far is a matter of preparation and patience. Brian and Steph from this board are all over the place on their 25.5. On the other hand our H240 comfortably does our favorite 20mi coastal runs with an overnight anchorage and next day return on a regular basis. Over 35-40mi and the wife says it's too much like work. At about 20 mi the outboard will still get us back if it all goes calm too. We're ready for the normal issues but won't be doing any extended crossings in this one. Of course we're not even talking about how the boat goes upwind/uphill at 60mph to all sorts of places.....(behind the truck). Recently sailed 50mi in 3 casual days around TPA bay and ST Pete beach and have just trailored 300mi r/t to Lake Dora/Lake Harris for 3days and another 40mi sailing/overnighting. Sailing Sarasota to Venice r/t is our 1or2 day 15-20mi (each way) Gulf fun run. It's a blast to ice the cooler and just sail down the beaches. This will last until the weather turns to broil and the tropical humidity and heat pop the thermometer. Others certainly sail farther but casual is the operative word for us. Just check with the locals for tides/pass info/currents/good anchorages and such, chart a destination, prepare in case of an unexpected issue(emergency) and ice the cooler. The GPS will often reveal that we sail farther just daysailing than most short overnight hops would have been. Have fun, be safe. Aloha Michael
How far is a matter of preparation and patience. Brian and Steph from this board are all over the place on their 25.5. On the other hand our H240 comfortably does our favorite 20mi coastal runs with an overnight anchorage and next day return on a regular basis. Over 35-40mi and the wife says it's too much like work. At about 20 mi the outboard will still get us back if it all goes calm too. We're ready for the normal issues but won't be doing any extended crossings in this one. Of course we're not even talking about how the boat goes upwind/uphill at 60mph to all sorts of places.....(behind the truck). Recently sailed 50mi in 3 casual days around TPA bay and ST Pete beach and have just trailored 300mi r/t to Lake Dora/Lake Harris for 3days and another 40mi sailing/overnighting. Sailing Sarasota to Venice r/t is our 1or2 day 15-20mi (each way) Gulf fun run. It's a blast to ice the cooler and just sail down the beaches. This will last until the weather turns to broil and the tropical humidity and heat pop the thermometer. Others certainly sail farther but casual is the operative word for us. Just check with the locals for tides/pass info/currents/good anchorages and such, chart a destination, prepare in case of an unexpected issue(emergency) and ice the cooler. The GPS will often reveal that we sail farther just daysailing than most short overnight hops would have been. Have fun, be safe. Aloha Michael
- Status