Long Trips

[Bill Jones]

I'm curious if anyone has taken an extensive trip in a H23.5? I don't mean on highways, but by water. Either ICW, open water, Tenn-Tom, etc. I'm considering going from Kentucky Lake to Mobile via the Tenn-Tom waterway.

Any previous knowledge would be appreciated. I'm more concerned with spending a prolonged period of time on a small boat than navigation, boat handling issues. I've traveled quite a bit on larger boats, but only daysailed my 23.5.

Bill Jones

 

[Johnb]

I say go for it. Before we got our HC37 we had a 23 ft Clipper Marine with a 10 HP Honda outboard, port-a-pottie, single burner stove and a cooler for refrigeration.

We made trips of 3 to 10 days all over the Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta with 2 kids and 2 dogs and had some if the best times ever. As long as you get to run ashore from time to time and the weather is good the boat need not feel too cramped.

Folks who don't like camping, RV'ing etc. probably won't enjoy this activity either but if you do, the scenery, beauty and wildlife is the same no matter what size the boat is.

 

[Ed Schenck]

Most campers have a lot more room than you did John. But I agree that an H23.5 should not stop you from a long sailing adventure. Not sure about the river though. Is there any sailing? Or is that strictly a motoring trip?

 

[MrUnix]

It really comes down to what your comfort level is.. I know people who would never think of doing anything other than _maybe_ an overnighter in a 23 footer.. and there are others, like myself, who have spent over a week on the water in a 17' boat with very little creature comforts other than a cooler full of provisions, a propane stove, single cabin light and a stereo. Granted, I was looking forward to getting home after some of those trips and it took a day or so to get rid of my sea legs, but we still had a blast and I'd do it all over again given the chance.

The only thing I could suggest is; before taking the plunge with the longer trip, try doing a shorter 2-4 day weekend trip. One where you don't venture too far in case you decide you can't take it any longer and want to return before planned. It will give you a good idea of what you need while on board, how comfortable (or not) an extended period on board will be, and give you ideas on what you might want to change/alter/add to make it more enjoyable.

Cheers,
Brad

 

[Roy10289]

I agree with MRUNIX it all comes down to conforet level. I owned a Tanzer 22 many years ago. I had no problem at all sailing andf staying on board for several days at at time on Great South Bay in NY. Of course I was much younger then and any boat was a good time and an adventure.
I still feel that way,but as I get older I require more and more the creature conforts that a larger boat provides to have a satisfactory time while crusing.
I think that if you are happy when you hit your bunk at night,then you have the perfect size boat.

 

[Bobbi Ullinger]

When our kids (five) were smaller, we would spend a week or more on our 23.5 every year in addition to several over nighters and daysails. Staying on a boat this small is every comparable to camping. Some of the things that we've found that make life a bit easier:

Our bedding consists of a sleeping bag and sheet on each berth. If it's warm, the sleeping bed adds some extra cushion to the matress and the sheet makes a nice light cover, but if it's chillly, sleep on the sheet and use the sleeping bag for a blanket.

A gallon milk jug mostly full of water and frozen will keep the cooler cold for a few days. We used 2 coolers, one that got opened only at meal time for perrishible food, and a second for drinks that can get opened whenever soemone is thirsty.

I highly recommend the book "2 Burner Gourmet". Often times the kids will ask for "boat food" even when we are at home.

We have a small tabletop propane grill that is used a lot whenever we're in a marina or at a beach.

Hope this helps.

 

[Mark Major]

The longest I've stayed aboard is 16 days. This included fresh and salt water, open Gulf and ICW. That was a bit much but I was on a "mission". What I have found after extended times aboard, sometimes rather isolated from society, is a new realization of what I "need" in life- my boat is a life pod and can carry far more than is necessary. I also came to a new perspective regarding time; the cycles nature seem entirely foreign to the manner in which we imprison ourselves so willingly by lashing ourselves to the confounded machine we call a clock. By all means set sail far and long and invent dreams; if nothing else they free your soul once you return to resume your toil, and perhaps one day may be realized. I hope one day to sail beyond my wildest imaginings.