I'm planning on tripping to the Bahamas in the near future and to the best of my knowledge I have done about everything I can thinnk of to beef up my boat. Reading other comments on open water sailing, got me thinking maybe it would be a good idea to ask if my boat has any weak points I may have over looked? New 1/4" rigging New Sails New hoses, cockpit drains New portlights New SS pressure post mount, and rebuilt base for mast step Mast restrung all new lines, lights Thru hulls are in good shape
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Captin Going For A Day Sail
Captin Going For A Day Sail in a rough & or wind day. This is freqently over looked. It is nice to know how you and your boat work when it is a short trip home when things don't work. Also answers your questions.
Captin Going For A Day Sail in a rough & or wind day. This is freqently over looked. It is nice to know how you and your boat work when it is a short trip home when things don't work. Also answers your questions.
two weak points on hunters
Backup rudder or plan if your rudder breaks (your crossing the gulf stream and it's broken rudders in the past)? Hatches? When you look through them when the sun first comes up, do you see little cracks? Not saying you have to replace these, just to know what to do if they break.
Backup rudder or plan if your rudder breaks (your crossing the gulf stream and it's broken rudders in the past)? Hatches? When you look through them when the sun first comes up, do you see little cracks? Not saying you have to replace these, just to know what to do if they break.
Sail Inventory
I think the ability to effectively reduce your sail plan would be important. In other words, do you have two or three reef positions in your mainsail rather than the single reef most are deliver with? Do you have a selection of smaller jibs and what is your smallest sail combination? Are they in good condition and strong enough? Do you plan on enough competent crew to stand watches without the 'captain' having to always be on call? What kind of emergency equipment have you added? Have you added larger back-up to the minescule bilge pumps these boats usually carry. I think a solid 30 footer can be prepared for the crossing you anticipate, provided you look for an appropriate weather window.
I think the ability to effectively reduce your sail plan would be important. In other words, do you have two or three reef positions in your mainsail rather than the single reef most are deliver with? Do you have a selection of smaller jibs and what is your smallest sail combination? Are they in good condition and strong enough? Do you plan on enough competent crew to stand watches without the 'captain' having to always be on call? What kind of emergency equipment have you added? Have you added larger back-up to the minescule bilge pumps these boats usually carry. I think a solid 30 footer can be prepared for the crossing you anticipate, provided you look for an appropriate weather window.
I second the rudder
I have taken my boat to Bimini from Miami 2 time now. 1st time no problem. 2nd time my rudder broke. Now I carry a second rudder ready to go..... it takes my about 15 min. to complety replace it on the water. Look to see it anyone else is going your way, 2 boats are safer than one. John USNret
I have taken my boat to Bimini from Miami 2 time now. 1st time no problem. 2nd time my rudder broke. Now I carry a second rudder ready to go..... it takes my about 15 min. to complety replace it on the water. Look to see it anyone else is going your way, 2 boats are safer than one. John USNret
Gulf Stream Crossing
A group of MacGregor 26 owners made the crossing last year from near Ft Lauderdale. They had an excellent weather window both ways. A well prepared boat with the proper safety equipment can make it in the right conditions without fear. S/V Intrepid H34 #113
A group of MacGregor 26 owners made the crossing last year from near Ft Lauderdale. They had an excellent weather window both ways. A well prepared boat with the proper safety equipment can make it in the right conditions without fear. S/V Intrepid H34 #113
broken rudder
I have a 30' how in the world would I carry much less replace a rudder at sea? I must be missing something. I do have an emergency tiller handle.
I have a 30' how in the world would I carry much less replace a rudder at sea? I must be missing something. I do have an emergency tiller handle.
Not a complete rudder
Some have used an oar with a cabinate door or a flooring pannel. Some carry an aftermarket emergency rudder. What ever you end up with as an emergency plan, it will not be as good as your rudder is now. You will have to go slower and balance the sail plan (no helm) and try to steer the boat as much as possible with the sails, but when you make it to protected waters and start the engine, you will need something to steer with to get the boat to a repair yard. Anybody got other suggestions as to an emergency rudder?
Some have used an oar with a cabinate door or a flooring pannel. Some carry an aftermarket emergency rudder. What ever you end up with as an emergency plan, it will not be as good as your rudder is now. You will have to go slower and balance the sail plan (no helm) and try to steer the boat as much as possible with the sails, but when you make it to protected waters and start the engine, you will need something to steer with to get the boat to a repair yard. Anybody got other suggestions as to an emergency rudder?
Why not a complete rudder?
A complete rudder would probably fit in the aft quarter berth of a Hunter 30. Now how you would change it at sea is another question. The Pacific Cup (San Francisco to Hawaii) race requires everyone to carry a spare rudder.
A complete rudder would probably fit in the aft quarter berth of a Hunter 30. Now how you would change it at sea is another question. The Pacific Cup (San Francisco to Hawaii) race requires everyone to carry a spare rudder.
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