Overdue Sailing Vessel...

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Gary Wyngarden

Gary Wyngarden

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Mar 4, 2004
347
Hunter 37.5 Orcas Island, WA
I was down on the boat yesterday afternoon, cleaning up from our weekend cruise and putting Wanderlust into her winter mode. Our recording barometer began to chirp a gale warning as pressure was dropping precipitously so I turned on the VHF to pick up the Environment Canada marine weather forecast. In addition to the weather they reported an alert for the overdue sailing vessel "Grace" en route from Kauai to Ketchikan, AK with a possible alternate destination of Seattle, WA. They said that "Grace" was a 21 foot sailboat with white hull and white sails and one person on board. The offshore weather forecast in our area today is dominated by a 955mb low with peak winds and seas at 70 knots and 10 meters today. I'll refrain from commenting on the wisdom of making such a trip in that small of a boat this time of year. We'll just hope the boat floats like a cork and is much stronger than most boats that size. Better still we'll hope they are holed up in a safe harbor somewhere. Gary Wyngarden S/V Wanderlust h37.5
 
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CharlieCobra

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May 5, 2006
1,140
Knutson K-35 Yawl Bellingham
We heard that broadcast last Saturday

after we finished sailing in that gale. Not the time of year to be off this coast.
 
KorculaChris

KorculaChris

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Feb 6, 2006
249
Hunter 23 Bay Shore, LI, NY
There was a time,

not so long ago, when 31' was considered a big boat, and the average circumnavigator. 21' was not uncommon for crossing oceans. Was that when men were men (and women were women), have we all become too conscious of the "what if" factors, or were they all nuts? I am planning to retire to Europe, from whence I came 25 years ago, by crossing the Atlantic in a 32 to 37 footer in a few years time. My friends all say that I am nuts and that it shouldn't be done in less than a forty footer. "What if..." they all say. Jester challenge, anyone?
 
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CharlieCobra

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May 5, 2006
1,140
Knutson K-35 Yawl Bellingham
It depends on the boat.

This was an Aquarius, which I'm not familiar with. After a google search, I wouldn't sail that boat on that trip anymore than I'd sail my Venture 21. Especially at this time of year.
 
Fred Ficarra

Fred Ficarra

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Dec 2, 2003
4,245
- - Seabeck WA
An Aquarius 21???? Oh No.

Having owned a 20' sister, when I was a youngster, one thing always remained with me through the years; My smaller/faster boat was really bad, but sooooo much better than an Aquarius 21! That boat isn't worthy of floating in a swimming pool. That's my opinion and I'm sticking to it. I fear the skipper is lost.
 
Tsehum Pete

Tsehum Pete

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Apr 26, 2005
286
Beneteau Oceanis 390 Tsehum Harbour, BC, Canada
Saturday Night in Telegraph Harbour

On Saturday night we were safely tied to the rather rough dock at the Thetis Island Marina and Pub. After listening to the howling in Tula's rigging, at 5am on Sunday morning I got up to check the boat and the wind speed was around 55 knots, even in Telegraph. I would not have wanted to be anywhere other than right there. Let's all say a silent prayer for the skipper of Grace.
 
Ross

Ross

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Jun 15, 2004
14,693
Islander/Wayfairer 30 sail number 25 Perryville,Md.
This site tells of a 20something

boat of good reputation. http://home.att.net/~seagypsy/history.html
 
Ross

Ross

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Jun 15, 2004
14,693
Islander/Wayfairer 30 sail number 25 Perryville,Md.
Yup!

There are 20 foot boats and then there are 20 foot BOATS.
 
NYSail

NYSail

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Jan 6, 2006
3,178
Beneteau 423 Mt. Sinai, NY
boat size and crossing

I live on Long Island and sold my 1977 Cal 34 III to a guy from St. Petersburg....Russia. He came over, worked on the boat for 2-weeks and sailed it to the Azores in 20 days. Said the boat handled very good. So Chris, you will have no problem as long as YOU are ready to cross. The boat should be fine.
 
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