Overnighting Offshore?

[higgs]

Not keeping watch in a busy channel is not a good idea. Relying on others to see you is not a good idea.

 

[Joe]

San Diego sailors going to Catalina uses this technique all the time.

Or here's a Variation of the Question: if the passage is too long for one day, is it better to keep sailing/motoring/moving, or to heave-to or put down sails and drift? Guessing mainly from scenes from Jaws and Perfect Storm, I think offshore fishermen, etc. sometimes (often) spend the night just drifting....

druid

IMHO, I think you make the passage non-stop or put into Port Renfrew. If you leave on the tide in the late evening and motor sail all night planning for a 15 to 18 hour passage you should make Bamfield the next after noon. If you have a crew.... shouldn't be a problem. You always have the option of pulling into Port Renfrew to catch some sleep. Solo will be a bit more demanding but once the sun comes up you can make the decision to heave to and catch a little sleep depending on the traffic and conditions. Under these conditions I'd be tempted to wait till visibility is good, then turn on the AP, reduce speed to 3-4 kts and employ the kitchen timer technique to get a little shut eye. Stay to the side of the shipping lanes, set the timer for 20 minutes, make sure the way is clear and stay on deck while you're napping.

 

[Hermit Scott]

You are correct, Roger, but you don't have to be nasty about it. Thanks for making me feel welcome on this board, and making me comfortable about posting here.

druid

Really? You act like you have never read one of Stu's posts. And you thought he wouldn't do that to you? lol :cry: