Outfitting for Offshore

[Jim Rice]

A recent post on sailing an H27 to the Bahamas got me thinking: What would you do to set up an older/smaller/coastal boat for this trip?Replace the hatches? Sure. Locks for the lazarettes and interior drawers and doors? You bet. Jacklines and padeyes. Yup. But what else? Most of the sailing books talk about outfitting known bluewater boats. But one of John Vigor's book told of someone who fitted a Catalina 27 for a circumnavigation. What could be done to our boats? Let's give it a whirl.PS--I think we can all assume some kind of disclaimer about the suitability of our advice--we are all mature adults here.

 

[Ed Schenck]

For offshore need $$$$, lots.

Not only for changes to the boat but for gear. My wishlist is a mile and several thousand dollars long: liferaft, EPIRB, radar, windvane, SSB, weatherfax, storm sails, sea-anchor/drogue, charts, plus spare parts. This assumes the boat is ready. It's not. Page one of the Caribbean 1500 Rally web-site has an interesting checklist(http://www.carib1500.com/caribbean_1500.htm).

 

[Chris Behre Jr.]

Casual Discussions

I often make Night sails in the Chesapeake with people who have spent little of no time on a Sail Boat. One of the reoccuring questions is could I take my Hunter 30 (1978) to the Bahamas. Of course I could, I always say. It would just take a little money and time to get "Athena" ready. The first thing i would do would be to replace all my Stays. Loosing your mast would really ruin a Off shore cruise. Then an engine overhaul. I would probably have my old sails cut down and re-enforced for Storm/backup sails. Then the obvious saftey equipment. I have thrown this idea around (over a beer or two) with experienced off shore cruisers. They swear you will never be fully prepaired, and sooner or later you just have to go for it. It is a fun idea to play with, maybe someday I will be able to realize it.

 

[Doug]

Most important thing to buy

safety tether and booze

 

[Neil Smith]

Bahamas

I'm planning to make the BIG trip after the weather (make that the "H" word)threats abate, probably Christmas time. I've got a pal that cruises his boat from November to May, primarally in the Carribean. His comment to me? "There ain't no monsters out there." Monster waves? Monster fishes? Monster problems? I think maybe he's had just one too many good cruises! There ARE, indeed, monsters out there. The ones that make us think funny, like . . . "WOW, I've never seen a wave that tall!", or "I can't believe the wind can get any stronger!", or "Where in the hell did I put that wrench?"That being said, a trip to the Bahamas from West Palm to Bimini is about 65 miles. Provided your gear is A-1 and you've planned for the unexpected (monsters), have a great voyage.