I just bought a 1980 H33 and am thinking of sailing down from the bay area to Mexico and possibly to Hawaii. Anyone with H33 bluewater experience that would like to give insight on the pluses and minuses of this type of sailing in the H33. If you could have one thing onboard what it would be and also are dingy davits a possibility on a H33? Need any and all help on what to outfit the boat with and make the trip safe and comfortable. Thanks in advance.
- Status
Here's a start...
Bill. One of my favorite web-sites: http://www.sailnet.com/collections/cruising/ Then there are books at www.amazon.com. And I was on a site the other day that I cannot now locate. It was the club that organizes a group sail from the Chesapeake to the Bahamas. On that site they list their requirements for outfitting before you can join them. It's an extensive and expensive list! Things like liferaft, EPIRB, SSB, etc. I have a print of that list. Ed(schencked@bfusa.com)
Bill. One of my favorite web-sites: http://www.sailnet.com/collections/cruising/ Then there are books at www.amazon.com. And I was on a site the other day that I cannot now locate. It was the club that organizes a group sail from the Chesapeake to the Bahamas. On that site they list their requirements for outfitting before you can join them. It's an extensive and expensive list! Things like liferaft, EPIRB, SSB, etc. I have a print of that list. Ed(schencked@bfusa.com)
Epirb
An epirb would be my first choice (after a good pfd and liferaft, of course). Nothing is going to make a cruiser hulled boat like yours (no offense intended, we have a 33.5) comfortable in bashing coastal waters. A heavy, deep and slow boat would be most comfy. As far as sailing to the HI islands go, people have done in in dug-outs and 16 footers but that doesn't mean it was safe. Most people on this site will advise that your boat is not designed nor suited for that type of extended sailing (no water tight bulkheads, not reinforced for that kind of punishment, tankage too small, etc., etc.). I love our Hunter and would never trade her in for the type of inland sailing we do, but I would go for a Bristol, Westsail, etc for this type of trip. Doug
An epirb would be my first choice (after a good pfd and liferaft, of course). Nothing is going to make a cruiser hulled boat like yours (no offense intended, we have a 33.5) comfortable in bashing coastal waters. A heavy, deep and slow boat would be most comfy. As far as sailing to the HI islands go, people have done in in dug-outs and 16 footers but that doesn't mean it was safe. Most people on this site will advise that your boat is not designed nor suited for that type of extended sailing (no water tight bulkheads, not reinforced for that kind of punishment, tankage too small, etc., etc.). I love our Hunter and would never trade her in for the type of inland sailing we do, but I would go for a Bristol, Westsail, etc for this type of trip. Doug
Tough coast
The coastal cruisig you're talking about can be tougher on a boat than a lot of ocean passages, certainly up at the northern end of the run!
The coastal cruisig you're talking about can be tougher on a boat than a lot of ocean passages, certainly up at the northern end of the run!
Coastal Cruising vs Passage to HI.
Bill: I am far from an expert on this subject but. I just made the passage from Oahu,HI to San Deigo. We were aboard a realitively fast boat (Santa Cruz 52) and it took us 14 days (2800KM). There are the obvious safety issues with PFD's, EPIRB, Liferaft, communications gear, navigation equipment etc. Then you will need a water maker and a good supply of emergency fresh water (when the water maker fails). Good supply of food for the passage. I would figure out how many days a passage would take and then double it for provisioning. What about refrigeration/freezer? An ample fuel supply is also something that you need to consider. The passage from HI. to San Deigo is about 2800KM. If you have an equipment failure it is a VERY LONG WAY to the next port. Can be as far as 1400KM. The next thing would be a high quality below deck auto pilot. Depending on your passage crew, it can get very old being out there for hour after hour at the wheel. You will also need a good battery bank to run all the electronics including your communications and auto pilot. Plenty of spares including halyards, shrouds, blocks, winch handles, alternator, water pump and parts, belts, extra sails etc. When you loose or break something at sea there AIN'T NO West Marine Store. Other than the quality of your boat, you need to consider the amount of time you may or will be at sea. I found that 14 days in a confined area to be mentally stressful. Depending on your crew, this can be down right depressing. In your boat as in many cruising boats, you are not going to make it as quick as we did. Coastal cruising is a different issue. I think that the weather on the coast is generally rougher than out at sea. But the food and water issues are greatly reduced. If something happens off the coast you are probably only a couple of hours to a day or so from being able to contact someone for help. Going to weather on the coast can be damn brutal. If you out at sea you can easily change your course until the weather clears up. Good luck and happy sailing (wherever it may take you).
Bill: I am far from an expert on this subject but. I just made the passage from Oahu,HI to San Deigo. We were aboard a realitively fast boat (Santa Cruz 52) and it took us 14 days (2800KM). There are the obvious safety issues with PFD's, EPIRB, Liferaft, communications gear, navigation equipment etc. Then you will need a water maker and a good supply of emergency fresh water (when the water maker fails). Good supply of food for the passage. I would figure out how many days a passage would take and then double it for provisioning. What about refrigeration/freezer? An ample fuel supply is also something that you need to consider. The passage from HI. to San Deigo is about 2800KM. If you have an equipment failure it is a VERY LONG WAY to the next port. Can be as far as 1400KM. The next thing would be a high quality below deck auto pilot. Depending on your passage crew, it can get very old being out there for hour after hour at the wheel. You will also need a good battery bank to run all the electronics including your communications and auto pilot. Plenty of spares including halyards, shrouds, blocks, winch handles, alternator, water pump and parts, belts, extra sails etc. When you loose or break something at sea there AIN'T NO West Marine Store. Other than the quality of your boat, you need to consider the amount of time you may or will be at sea. I found that 14 days in a confined area to be mentally stressful. Depending on your crew, this can be down right depressing. In your boat as in many cruising boats, you are not going to make it as quick as we did. Coastal cruising is a different issue. I think that the weather on the coast is generally rougher than out at sea. But the food and water issues are greatly reduced. If something happens off the coast you are probably only a couple of hours to a day or so from being able to contact someone for help. Going to weather on the coast can be damn brutal. If you out at sea you can easily change your course until the weather clears up. Good luck and happy sailing (wherever it may take you).
Take her to Mexico
I would suggest you proceed with your plans and go cruising in Mexico first. By the time you get there and spend some time cruising you will know better than us whether you & your boat are ready for Hawaii. The cruising in Mexico is really better than in Hawaii anyway so make that your first goal.
I would suggest you proceed with your plans and go cruising in Mexico first. By the time you get there and spend some time cruising you will know better than us whether you & your boat are ready for Hawaii. The cruising in Mexico is really better than in Hawaii anyway so make that your first goal.
Going to Mexico - Baja Ha HA
A good way to make your first trip down the coast to Mexico is to join the Baja Ha Ha. This annual event is organized by the folks at Latitude 38 Magazine. It usually takes place during late Sept. or October and is a good way to sail down to Cabo San Lucas for the first time. I did it last year on a 32 and had a great time. Give 'em a call Smooth sailing g
A good way to make your first trip down the coast to Mexico is to join the Baja Ha Ha. This annual event is organized by the folks at Latitude 38 Magazine. It usually takes place during late Sept. or October and is a good way to sail down to Cabo San Lucas for the first time. I did it last year on a 32 and had a great time. Give 'em a call Smooth sailing g
- Status