OK. I just bought a 37.5 Hunter and am planning on single handing from Maine to Florida then to the Bahamas. Only experince I have was over 15 years ago on a 24 foot Portager sailing lake Michigan. I have been power boating on the Bay of Fundy for the last 2 years and do have some experience with tides (22 feet) winds, currents and snotty channel approaches etc. etc. Realizing I have no real ocean experience but am determined to do it anyway, I would appreciate and tips to aid me in making my adventure a positive one. Stormy Seas...
Newbie going south
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Brace yourself, Stormy Seas......
you're gonna get a lot of advice. I could tell you what most if it is going to be, but most of it is going to come from people far more experienced than me and hopefully they will help you fully consider what you are contemplating. Let's just say you're biting off a pretty good chunk of the elephant...... I haven't heard of anybody single-handing a H37.5 in blue water, so I can't comment on how good an idea that is. Pretty big boat for 1 person, I reckon. But here's my (novice) advice: 1. Read some books - Surviving the Storm by Linda & Steve Dashew The Voyager's Handbook by Beth Lonard Of course, you could just read Tania Abei's book - she had little more experience than you and made it around the world in a 26' Countessa. 2. Learn to sail... take some ASA courses 3. Take crew with you. It doesn't look like much, but the trip south from New England can be one of the roughest stretches of water around... you're sailing against the Gulf Stream, and Cape Hatteras is famous for nasty storms. Good luck to you... and I don't mean on your sailing adventure, I mean after the experts get hold of you *yks But don't give up your dream! Cheers, Bob s/v X SAIL R 8
you're gonna get a lot of advice. I could tell you what most if it is going to be, but most of it is going to come from people far more experienced than me and hopefully they will help you fully consider what you are contemplating. Let's just say you're biting off a pretty good chunk of the elephant...... I haven't heard of anybody single-handing a H37.5 in blue water, so I can't comment on how good an idea that is. Pretty big boat for 1 person, I reckon. But here's my (novice) advice: 1. Read some books - Surviving the Storm by Linda & Steve Dashew The Voyager's Handbook by Beth Lonard Of course, you could just read Tania Abei's book - she had little more experience than you and made it around the world in a 26' Countessa. 2. Learn to sail... take some ASA courses 3. Take crew with you. It doesn't look like much, but the trip south from New England can be one of the roughest stretches of water around... you're sailing against the Gulf Stream, and Cape Hatteras is famous for nasty storms. Good luck to you... and I don't mean on your sailing adventure, I mean after the experts get hold of you *yks But don't give up your dream! Cheers, Bob s/v X SAIL R 8
I am bringing down my Morgan 35 from Norfolk
to Fort Lauderdale in mid October, weather permitting. I plan on using the ICW till I get past cape fear, as cape fear and cape hatteras are both known to be nasty areas. I sailed down the river from Philadelphia then out to the Atlantic and then ducked into the south end of the Chesapeake bay (Norfolk, VA) to shelter my boat from Ophelia (with 2 days to spare…! Too close!) and for the rest of the hurricane season. If I had it to do again, I would have taken the Ches-Del canal from the Delaware bay to the Chesapeake bay and avoided the atlantic portion completely, but hind site is 20/20… I’m also a newbie sailor and am building experience, I have lots of classes under my belt but NOTHING beats on-your-own experience. I’m moving a 35’ boot and it is the limit of my ability to single hand, without the auto-pilot. I can do most tasks myself with the auto-pilot, but its much easier with a hand aboard. I would suggest VERY strongly you find someone to bring, even if its just someone to bring your coffee or to run the motor while you drop/pull up the anchor. BTW, my plans are going to have me leaving Norfolk by the ICW around the 17th if you want to convoy..
to Fort Lauderdale in mid October, weather permitting. I plan on using the ICW till I get past cape fear, as cape fear and cape hatteras are both known to be nasty areas. I sailed down the river from Philadelphia then out to the Atlantic and then ducked into the south end of the Chesapeake bay (Norfolk, VA) to shelter my boat from Ophelia (with 2 days to spare…! Too close!) and for the rest of the hurricane season. If I had it to do again, I would have taken the Ches-Del canal from the Delaware bay to the Chesapeake bay and avoided the atlantic portion completely, but hind site is 20/20… I’m also a newbie sailor and am building experience, I have lots of classes under my belt but NOTHING beats on-your-own experience. I’m moving a 35’ boot and it is the limit of my ability to single hand, without the auto-pilot. I can do most tasks myself with the auto-pilot, but its much easier with a hand aboard. I would suggest VERY strongly you find someone to bring, even if its just someone to bring your coffee or to run the motor while you drop/pull up the anchor. BTW, my plans are going to have me leaving Norfolk by the ICW around the 17th if you want to convoy..
thats why i plan on only using the ICW till i get
past cape fear, basically I want to get past the "hard areas" and into the Atlantic ocean area I cut my teeth on. After I get out of cape fear, I plan on going straight through to Ft Lauderdale. FYI, on my recommendation of the CHES-DEL Canal, watch out, I was reviewing my map and the fixed bridges may only have 39' –fixed- clearance at low water, please double check before going through this route.
past cape fear, basically I want to get past the "hard areas" and into the Atlantic ocean area I cut my teeth on. After I get out of cape fear, I plan on going straight through to Ft Lauderdale. FYI, on my recommendation of the CHES-DEL Canal, watch out, I was reviewing my map and the fixed bridges may only have 39' –fixed- clearance at low water, please double check before going through this route.
i just double cheked my map, i was looking at
the incorrect bridge table.. Boy, 120 miles on the chesapeek would have been much smoother, i would recomend it to the atlantic route to anyone..
the incorrect bridge table..
Boy, 120 miles on the chesapeek would have been much smoother, i would recomend it to the atlantic route to anyone.. Going South
Am planning this same trip around the same time. Planning on leaving Long Island area around Oct. 20. Going mostly via ICW and not going to be in any hurry. If this appeals to you and you would be interested in buddy boating some of the way drop me a line. Sailing an Almand 31, with a crew of 2. Phil Prater sailaway_78@hotmail.com
Am planning this same trip around the same time. Planning on leaving Long Island area around Oct. 20. Going mostly via ICW and not going to be in any hurry. If this appeals to you and you would be interested in buddy boating some of the way drop me a line. Sailing an Almand 31, with a crew of 2. Phil Prater sailaway_78@hotmail.com
Maine - Key West,,, last November
I left Portland Maine November 1st last year with my dog. The good weather windows at that time of year close-down very rapidly. By the time I reached Point Judith RI, I had gone through two gales including 4" of snow & ice on my deck waiting out a 3rd blow in Point Judith. This was my first trip and strapped at the helm for long hours, as my autopilot would not hold in the quartering & confused seas. I was cold & wet with an open cockpit and then my GPS glitched-out,,,all added to a delightful maiden voyage. I continued down the Long Island Sound route through NY to Gravesend Bay. From there I stayed outside all the way to Norfolk. I had Thanksgiving at Hospital Point,,,a good anchorage across from Norfolk. I would strongly recommend leaving from Maine in October,,,I am hoping to head South in a couple of weeks. I have a thorough log of the 4200 mile/8 month trip that I would be happy to share with you. Feel free to email or call,,,I am in Waterford Maine. Rusty,,, EarthSpinner H34
I left Portland Maine November 1st last year with my dog. The good weather windows at that time of year close-down very rapidly. By the time I reached Point Judith RI, I had gone through two gales including 4" of snow & ice on my deck waiting out a 3rd blow in Point Judith. This was my first trip and strapped at the helm for long hours, as my autopilot would not hold in the quartering & confused seas. I was cold & wet with an open cockpit and then my GPS glitched-out,,,all added to a delightful maiden voyage. I continued down the Long Island Sound route through NY to Gravesend Bay. From there I stayed outside all the way to Norfolk. I had Thanksgiving at Hospital Point,,,a good anchorage across from Norfolk. I would strongly recommend leaving from Maine in October,,,I am hoping to head South in a couple of weeks. I have a thorough log of the 4200 mile/8 month trip that I would be happy to share with you. Feel free to email or call,,,I am in Waterford Maine. Rusty,,, EarthSpinner H34
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