Possibly wrong boat, but dreaming.

[sv_regulus]

The conventional wisdom from years ago was if the entrance bar was breaking too heavily or had a "rage" on, just don't try to cross. Stay out at sea, or stay at the dock, depending on which side you are starting from. I have usually heeded this wisdom, and the time or 2 I didn't, I wish I had. The Coast Guard trains a select few small boat coxswains at the Columbia River Bar at Astoria, Oregon. They spend several weeks learning how to survive rollovers, and the best way to get through a bar in full rage.

In my search and rescue helicopter days, the worst were the boats (both sail and power) that got rolled, lost steerage, or ended up on the rocks in the various inlets. Atlantic hurricanes and North Pacific storms generally were survived better at sea than running the inlets. The longer wave periods in the open ocean make avoiding rollovers a lot easier than in the inlets, despite the waves being much larger. Yes, there are the freak waves in the open ocean, but again you can often see them coming.

Just my opinion, I think the conventional wisdom is correct. If there is any doubt don't cross the bar until things calm down.

I've spent 3 days anchored in Little Harbour, Abacos, waiting for the bar to calm down. I had 3 different cases where 30ft boats lost it at the entrance at Boca Raton, FL. Even my 140ft CG cutter declined to run the bar at Coos Bay, OR when a rage was on. It's predecessor, a 125ft cutter, had been rolled running the bar, with too much loss of life. I've seen boats and ships alike ground themselves between breakers on the West End Nassau Harbour entrance.

Fred W

Holy cow.... That's really good to know! Never would have guessed that it would be something seriously insane like that. Very insightful wisdom and I appreciate it!

 

[sv_regulus]

Welcome to the club, I just got a '87 35-3 this Summer and it is quite the learning curve coming from a Catalina 22.
Definitely get over to ericsonyachts.org just don't try signing up with a gmail account or you will never get the emails. There are several very active guys there that are very knowledgeable about the line. Drying in the cabin should be the first step to control mold and raise the comfort level. I have replaced all the lewmar port lights and the forward hatch. Still have a leaky salon hatch and the fixed windows as well.

Gotcha! I'll work on that to keep the boat from getting more decrepit. She honestly looks pretty good on the inside and her deck isn't rotted, which was very nice! Same leaky windows and hatches though!

 

[dLj]

Would that make my boat a class C or class B vessel by modern standards? This makes a lot of sense as far as wave patterns, etc. Thank you!

Without knowing the numbers on your boat I have no idea.

When are you posting pictures of your boat and the work you are doing?

dj

 

[Scott T-Bird]

Thank you for the encouragement! I plan to literally sail the crap out of it after the refit. Right now it's through holes, sea cocks, and rig. 6 more months to go!

6 months? I thought you said 2 years in your opening post. What is your rush? I'm not sure, but I thought you indicated that you are 70? I'm getting close to 71 so I know how age is a factor (Are you physically up to a challenge like this?). Why do you want to sail to Hawaii? Is it because it just sounds like an epic adventure? Where are you starting from? Where is Bayview? California/SF Bay? Washington/Puget Sound? Oregon/Alsea River? You haven't really discussed any definitive plans for gaining experience. It sounds like your focus is on the boat and making it ready. It sounds like your own experience and aptitude with the boat is an afterthought. Why not get the boat on the water and actually do some coastal cruising before making hard plans for sailing to Hawaii. You might consider that coastal cruising in some place like the San Juans and Vancouver Island area is far more interesting and doable than an offshore trip to Hawaii. incidentally, I've been to 3 islands in Hawaii and don't see very much focus on sailing. I think there is a reason because it is so remote and once you are there, cruising the islands just isn't a thing because of limited accessibility & difficult passages between islands.

I'll suggest that adjusting your sights, or at least not being so focused on a pinpoint destination, might lead to more satisfying experiences in sailing. Every sailor knows that deadlines and schedules are the most dangerous feature in sailing. Many (most?) sailors don't even know where they are going next, let alone in 6 months or 2 years!

 

[sv_regulus]

6 months? I thought you said 2 years in your opening post. What is your rush? I'm not sure, but I thought you indicated that you are 70? I'm getting close to 71 so I know how age is a factor (Are you physically up to a challenge like this?). Why do you want to sail to Hawaii? Is it because it just sounds like an epic adventure? Where are you starting from? Where is Bayview? California/SF Bay? Washington/Puget Sound? Oregon/Alsea River? You haven't really discussed any definitive plans for gaining experience. It sounds like your focus is on the boat and making it ready. It sounds like your own experience and aptitude with the boat is an afterthought. Why not get the boat on the water and actually do some coastal cruising before making hard plans for sailing to Hawaii. You might consider that coastal cruising in some place like the San Juans and Vancouver Island area is far more interesting and doable than an offshore trip to Hawaii. incidentally, I've been to 3 islands in Hawaii and don't see very much focus on sailing. I think there is a reason because it is so remote and once you are there, cruising the islands just isn't a thing because of limited accessibility & difficult passages between islands.

I'll suggest that adjusting your sights, or at least not being so focused on a pinpoint destination, might lead to more satisfying experiences in sailing. Every sailor knows that deadlines and schedules are the most dangerous feature in sailing. Many (most?) sailors don't even know where they are going next, let alone in 6 months or 2 years!

Lol 6 months until I can sail since it's winter up yonder way in Idaho. Ice isn't too kind to hulls and paint jobs. Oh it's a health factor, that's why I'm trying to do it in 2 years. I'm also 27, not 70. XD

It does sound like an epic adventure, and it's a worthy goal to shoot for no matter what. Could also say that I'm sick of society as a whole and want a break. Also Bayview, is in Idaho. I bought the boat in Portland and brought it back to do the refit and at least be able to sail it on the lake here for a bit while I'm doing it. Then back to the coast. Couldn't just move out there, too much money.

That's 100% part of the plan. Also crewing for a few trips for some locals on the coast to get experience. Still not 100% on taking the Ericson any further than 100 miles off shore, but apparently people have made the crossing in that very boat, so it's not unreasonable.

I agree! We'll see how it goes in the next two years with this boat.

 

[JoeWhite]

Definitely get over to ericsonyachts.org just don't try signing up with a gmail account or you will never get the emails.

Some web hosting servers can not handle the Gmail account. I had been trying to findout why this was, I was using Drupal CMS, I thought it was the fault of Drupal. After I moved to an other web hosting Co. It all worked well.

 

[sv_regulus]

Some web hosting servers can not handle the Gmail account. I had been trying to findout why this was, I was using Drupal CMS, I thought it was the fault of Drupal. After I moved to an other web hosting Co. It all worked well.

I had the same issues and just thought the didn't like me or something... Going to try to make a different account now!

 

[Tally Ho]

Lol 6 months until I can sail since it's winter up yonder way in Idaho.

Where are you planning on sailing in Idaho?

Greg