I'd like to take my H240 out into the ocean. Just done river and bay sailing so far. How do the water ballasted trailerables handle in the ocean?
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T
Tom
Coastal Cruise Only
They are fine provided you don't loose sight of land and have a good motor in case a storm sneeks up. This is, basically, fair weather coastal cruising.
They are fine provided you don't loose sight of land and have a good motor in case a storm sneeks up. This is, basically, fair weather coastal cruising.
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Bill O'Donovan
Caution
If by ocean you mean the Gulf of Mexico, just be sure to hug the coast. The swells and waves are much bigger than Tampa Bay, and a 240 can easily get overwhelmed. I'm reluctant to sail my 29.5 on Chesapeake Bay in a heavy wind because it bounces like a cork.
If by ocean you mean the Gulf of Mexico, just be sure to hug the coast. The swells and waves are much bigger than Tampa Bay, and a 240 can easily get overwhelmed. I'm reluctant to sail my 29.5 on Chesapeake Bay in a heavy wind because it bounces like a cork.
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Frank
Pick your days
On some days I can sneek out one inlet and sail to the next one 10 or 15 miles away. Sailing in the ocean is rarely dangerous if you are serious about going only when the forcast weather is good. Going out of site of land is no big thing, but have good charts and plan where you are sailing. In North Carolina there are shoals you want to sail far off shore to avoid. The shallow water causes weird breaking waves. The places I have sailed in the gulf are very shallow a long way out. Shallow water and big winds causes terrible short steep chop. I'd rather ride large swells than a 3 foot chop in shallow water. My 23.5 is a pleasure to sail when the winds are less than 15 knots and the seas are less than 3 feet. If it is more choppy than that things get uncomfortable quickly. Another way to tell what it is like offshore is to ask fisherman with your radio. During most daylight hours with safe weather they are offshore fishing and talking on the radio.
On some days I can sneek out one inlet and sail to the next one 10 or 15 miles away. Sailing in the ocean is rarely dangerous if you are serious about going only when the forcast weather is good. Going out of site of land is no big thing, but have good charts and plan where you are sailing. In North Carolina there are shoals you want to sail far off shore to avoid. The shallow water causes weird breaking waves. The places I have sailed in the gulf are very shallow a long way out. Shallow water and big winds causes terrible short steep chop. I'd rather ride large swells than a 3 foot chop in shallow water. My 23.5 is a pleasure to sail when the winds are less than 15 knots and the seas are less than 3 feet. If it is more choppy than that things get uncomfortable quickly. Another way to tell what it is like offshore is to ask fisherman with your radio. During most daylight hours with safe weather they are offshore fishing and talking on the radio.
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Mark
260 experiance
We tested our new 260 at the weekend. We had 30-35 knot winds with occasional gusts to 40 knots. (Digital guage)We had a reef in the main (only one)and no head sail. At times it was a bit of a hand full, broaching on a few occasions but we thought she handled the conditions pretty well. Lots of helm of course but that was to be expected. The waves were about 3-4' on about 10' swells. I guess that would be the max that she would handle with safty so if you were to go to sea you would want to be very, very good at weather forecasting. The weather here on the South coast of Western Australa can change in a moment so we would not venture to far out.
We tested our new 260 at the weekend. We had 30-35 knot winds with occasional gusts to 40 knots. (Digital guage)We had a reef in the main (only one)and no head sail. At times it was a bit of a hand full, broaching on a few occasions but we thought she handled the conditions pretty well. Lots of helm of course but that was to be expected. The waves were about 3-4' on about 10' swells. I guess that would be the max that she would handle with safty so if you were to go to sea you would want to be very, very good at weather forecasting. The weather here on the South coast of Western Australa can change in a moment so we would not venture to far out.
Go for it...but be prepared
Even though the Gulf can be tough in the fall and winter, you should be able to go out sight of land as long as your boat is well prepared. From the cockpit the horizon is less than 5 miles away. That's about an hour of sailing time. The boat has to be in good condition. That includes the rig, sails, outboard, running lights, PFDs, safety gear and VHF. You should have current charts for the area and your compass and GPS need to be working properly. Keep track of your position and be alert. There is a lot of commercial shipping in that part of the Gulf. Finally, pick your days carefully and keep your eye on the weather. As long as the wind is from the north to southeast you should be OK, but if the wind starts to swing towards the south, get closer in so you can make arun for port if you need to. At this time of year, a south wind is the early warning sign of a cold front. As the front gets closer, the wind will veer to the SW and start to freshen, before swinging hard to NW, often with rain. Since there is a long open fetch to the NW, steep seas often result. The shallow water doesn't help either. I hope I didn't sound like the voice of doom. It's just that I strongly believe in being responsible for my own actions so I try to reduce the likelihood of mishap by being as prepared as possible. Just my two cents. Happy sailing! Peter H23 "Raven"
Even though the Gulf can be tough in the fall and winter, you should be able to go out sight of land as long as your boat is well prepared. From the cockpit the horizon is less than 5 miles away. That's about an hour of sailing time. The boat has to be in good condition. That includes the rig, sails, outboard, running lights, PFDs, safety gear and VHF. You should have current charts for the area and your compass and GPS need to be working properly. Keep track of your position and be alert. There is a lot of commercial shipping in that part of the Gulf. Finally, pick your days carefully and keep your eye on the weather. As long as the wind is from the north to southeast you should be OK, but if the wind starts to swing towards the south, get closer in so you can make arun for port if you need to. At this time of year, a south wind is the early warning sign of a cold front. As the front gets closer, the wind will veer to the SW and start to freshen, before swinging hard to NW, often with rain. Since there is a long open fetch to the NW, steep seas often result. The shallow water doesn't help either. I hope I didn't sound like the voice of doom. It's just that I strongly believe in being responsible for my own actions so I try to reduce the likelihood of mishap by being as prepared as possible. Just my two cents. Happy sailing! Peter H23 "Raven"
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HARRY PLAGANIS
Pin Boards
My friend Steve and I took our laides out off shore , my 26' and his 23.5. All was well until he took a wave over the side, the boat took it ok. They got wet and took some water inside the cabin. After that we thought to put some pin boards in. His boat did just fine, he now has a 26' and is soooo happy.
My friend Steve and I took our laides out off shore , my 26' and his 23.5. All was well until he took a wave over the side, the boat took it ok. They got wet and took some water inside the cabin. After that we thought to put some pin boards in. His boat did just fine, he now has a 26' and is soooo happy.
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