offshore sailing a Daysailer 17

[bluesman]

Hi everyone. This is my first post.

I just purchased a DS (actually a 2000 Cape Cod Shipbuilding racing version). and Iam hoping to sail her primarily on lakes, but I will be taking a vacation on Martha's Vineyard and thought it might be fun to have the Daysailer with me on vacation. I would need to sail her over from Falmouth MA to Edgartown a distance of at least 15 miles. There can be 3-4 knot currents as well. I know it is not really offshore, but this is a choppy challenging strech of water and feels like offshore for this little boat.

I have never sailed a daysailer and I am wondering if this is really pushing the limits of what this boat is comfortable handling. I would consider myself a beginner to mid level sailor.

I know that folks have circled the globe in smaller boats but that is not my point. Is this really pushing the common sense safety envelope for this little boat?

Thanks.

 

[slopoke]

if you have to ask, it probably is so

 

[Ward H]

I have no experience with a 17' DS but if I was considering this with my 25, I know I can make max speed of 6kts, most likely 5 kts motoring. If I have an opposing 3 kts current that is 2kts headway. (from what I have read. I do not have current issues where I sail)
So, best scenario is riding the current and motoring and it will take me 2 1/2 hrs. Worse case scenario is opposing current and motoring and taking 7 1/2 hours.
So, do you have a motor and if you do are you ready to spend 2 1/2 to 7 hours in the boat for the crossing? Will you be able to choose you weather window? If you get it there will you be able to wait for a weather window for the return trip?

I take our 25 across the BB to our vacation rental for the week, but that's only a 5 mile ride. I can motor into 20 kts of wind at over 5 kts SOG so it takes about an hour at most. We are only there for a week so the return trip is on the next to last day, despite weather. I motor or sail depending on weather but know I am making the trip on that day despite the conditions.
BTW, I am only on my second full season of sailing.

All that is a long way of saying, What slopoke said.

 

[bluesman]

The current runs perpendicular to the direction of travel so I would be slipping at an angle and can plan the trip to minimize it somewhat by sailing around slack tide. I guess my question is more about the general seaworthyness of the boat in the ocean based on peoples experience

 

[Sunbird22358]

Well this trip is not beyond the capibilities of the CCSB DS IV, but if you are a beginner.... I think the cost of bringing her over on the ferry is money well spent. That way you aren't risking a scary trip to start your vacation..... and could launch right into Edgartown Harbor, which, although there can stil lbe a pretty strong current inside the harbor..... at least it is more sheltered than Vineyard Sound. One of the waterfront Hotels on Edgartown Harbor used to rent out Day Sailers, s oit must be a good harbor to sail them! I've sailed with my Dad from Woods Hole to Oak Bluffs in a 21' CAL and and not sure that I could recomemend anyone doing in a DS if inexperienced. However, I do have a friend who used to quite regulerly sail his 12' Widgeon from Falmouth to Oak Bluffs! However, he did have experience with both the boat and the area. I am sure that he would only do it with a favorable weather forecast.