under the proper sailboat thread, I noticed as a general comment that the more expensive proper sailboat are designed for safe crossings of the oceans. how many of us on this board will actually cross a ocean. Im not talking about a run over to the Bahamas from the Fl coast or to Catalina Island from the Ca coast. But, actually make an ocean passage.
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It happens
We've got some pretty robust sailors here, and their stories of passage are fascinating. I myself subscribe to the British historian by the name of Wilson, who was an expert on China. In his retirement, he lounged about the men's club in London, where one day a colleague asked, "Wilson, if you're such an expert on China, why is it that you've never been to China?" He replied, "I would go, if I could be home by the cocktail hour."
We've got some pretty robust sailors here, and their stories of passage are fascinating. I myself subscribe to the British historian by the name of Wilson, who was an expert on China. In his retirement, he lounged about the men's club in London, where one day a colleague asked, "Wilson, if you're such an expert on China, why is it that you've never been to China?" He replied, "I would go, if I could be home by the cocktail hour."
Someday ,maybe if....
Right now our plans are to be more competent coastal cruisers. We'd like to cruise around the Gulf coast ,Chesapeak bay and the Bahamas. If that goes well and we can afford a better boat then maybe cross an ocean. Actually I think that it takes more skill to coastal sail. Having to deal with sandbars and tricky inlets on a daily basis has to be harder than riding the trades with double headsails. We've seen so many rugged blue water boats that just sit at the dock. Green with algea everywhere. It's sickening to see a southern cross sitting green at a dock on a lake.
Right now our plans are to be more competent coastal cruisers. We'd like to cruise around the Gulf coast ,Chesapeak bay and the Bahamas. If that goes well and we can afford a better boat then maybe cross an ocean. Actually I think that it takes more skill to coastal sail. Having to deal with sandbars and tricky inlets on a daily basis has to be harder than riding the trades with double headsails. We've seen so many rugged blue water boats that just sit at the dock. Green with algea everywhere. It's sickening to see a southern cross sitting green at a dock on a lake.
A Small Smile, Tom
I know a guy who has sailed 4,000 NM round trip non stop twice and at least 2,000 twice as well. The really funny thing is that he is a terrible boater in tight around harbors. Awful anchoring and boat handling in tight quarters. The last time I observed this, I reacted in some amazement. A buddy summed it up "He's logged lots of miles offshore. But there aren't too many places to moor in the middle of the Pacific". BTW, he sails a production yacht under 40' No more info to protect the guilty
Rick D.
I know a guy who has sailed 4,000 NM round trip non stop twice and at least 2,000 twice as well. The really funny thing is that he is a terrible boater in tight around harbors. Awful anchoring and boat handling in tight quarters. The last time I observed this, I reacted in some amazement. A buddy summed it up "He's logged lots of miles offshore. But there aren't too many places to moor in the middle of the Pacific". BTW, he sails a production yacht under 40' No more info to protect the guilty
Rick D.Whatz out there..
I took a short trip out there, not on my boat mind you but I did go out there. And there just wasn't a whol lot out there. So, I will just add a few thoughts to Tom vein of thinking. First, unless its a passing tanker or a submerged cantainer (danger danger)..theres not much out there besides sky and water (okay, stars, sunsets, etc). But on the other hand, whats out there is huge! If you go you better be prepared because you can't just motor in to a hidy hole! Yet the completion of a safe passage whether by calm or storm brings upon a certain satisfaction that you will never find tied to the dock! So if your going to go, don't let the vessel hold you back (within reason), just pick the right time with the right crew. We'll toast to you, Wilson and China at cocktail hour!
I took a short trip out there, not on my boat mind you but I did go out there. And there just wasn't a whol lot out there. So, I will just add a few thoughts to Tom vein of thinking. First, unless its a passing tanker or a submerged cantainer (danger danger)..theres not much out there besides sky and water (okay, stars, sunsets, etc). But on the other hand, whats out there is huge! If you go you better be prepared because you can't just motor in to a hidy hole! Yet the completion of a safe passage whether by calm or storm brings upon a certain satisfaction that you will never find tied to the dock! So if your going to go, don't let the vessel hold you back (within reason), just pick the right time with the right crew. We'll toast to you, Wilson and China at cocktail hour!
a couple years down the road
I plan to sail out of here, down the Fl coast, round the Keys up to Miami and over to the Bahamas. from there I plan to island hop the Carribean. I plan to do this in my Catalina 30. I know that this will require alot of planning and a keen weather eye. I also know that every event cannt be planned for or anticipated. I do hope that prudent preparation and patience will provide a life long dream.
I plan to sail out of here, down the Fl coast, round the Keys up to Miami and over to the Bahamas. from there I plan to island hop the Carribean. I plan to do this in my Catalina 30. I know that this will require alot of planning and a keen weather eye. I also know that every event cannt be planned for or anticipated. I do hope that prudent preparation and patience will provide a life long dream.
Dan, it sounds like you've made the cruise...
commitment. Once made everything else just seems to fall into place. The mind...an amazing and powerful tool for achieving our goals. Terry
commitment. Once made everything else just seems to fall into place. The mind...an amazing and powerful tool for achieving our goals. Terry
yes Terry,
I sold my biz'ness last May with a 3 yr management/non-compete clause. two more years and Im out of here!
I sold my biz'ness last May with a 3 yr management/non-compete clause. two more years and Im out of here!
Weather weather everywhere
One thing we all seem to overlook is that, while the really nasty stuff, like 50-ft waves and 80-MPH winds, happens far offshore, there is plenty of really good boat-testing crew-challenging stuff closer to home. The intention of a "blue-water passagemaker" is to provide a safe, sturdy boat that can handle rough weather. Lesser boats will break up in bad weather no matter where it's found; a decent boat is worth having even if you never go more than 12 miles offshore. Given fair and accurate sellers' information and owner reviews, I'd go with the boat rated for "blue-water" sailing over the one with a reputation for being a "decent coastal cruiser" any day. JC 2
One thing we all seem to overlook is that, while the really nasty stuff, like 50-ft waves and 80-MPH winds, happens far offshore, there is plenty of really good boat-testing crew-challenging stuff closer to home. The intention of a "blue-water passagemaker" is to provide a safe, sturdy boat that can handle rough weather. Lesser boats will break up in bad weather no matter where it's found; a decent boat is worth having even if you never go more than 12 miles offshore. Given fair and accurate sellers' information and owner reviews, I'd go with the boat rated for "blue-water" sailing over the one with a reputation for being a "decent coastal cruiser" any day. JC 2
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