Pros and cons of Hunter 45cc for sailing the Great Loop
- Thread starter Danno
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Danno,
I'm a little confused by your post... but I'll throw this out there anyway.
I'm planning on starting my own Great Loop cruise next year, and will be single-handing most of the way. The big limiting factor for any sailboat is going to be the bridges in the Chicago area, which do NOT open and have a maximum clearance of about 21'. There's no way to avoid or go around them.
For this reason, I chose a smaller sailboat, with a deck-stepped mast. I think this will allow me to drop the mast more easily (and cheaply) when I get to Chicago, and raise it again when I get past the low bridges... or maybe not until Kentucky Lake.
Also, if you were considering the Trent-Severn waterway or Rideau Canal routes, you'll have to drop the mast for those too-- Max clearance on those is 21', if I recall correctly.
Otherwise, I'll just repeat the advice I've seen in most books: Most people don't get to cruise on the boat they want-- so they go with the boat they have. If you have a 45cc and it meets your basic cruising needs, you'll find a way to make it work for you.
Have fun planning the cruise!
--Jon
I'm a little confused by your post... but I'll throw this out there anyway.
I'm planning on starting my own Great Loop cruise next year, and will be single-handing most of the way. The big limiting factor for any sailboat is going to be the bridges in the Chicago area, which do NOT open and have a maximum clearance of about 21'. There's no way to avoid or go around them.
For this reason, I chose a smaller sailboat, with a deck-stepped mast. I think this will allow me to drop the mast more easily (and cheaply) when I get to Chicago, and raise it again when I get past the low bridges... or maybe not until Kentucky Lake.
Also, if you were considering the Trent-Severn waterway or Rideau Canal routes, you'll have to drop the mast for those too-- Max clearance on those is 21', if I recall correctly.
Otherwise, I'll just repeat the advice I've seen in most books: Most people don't get to cruise on the boat they want-- so they go with the boat they have. If you have a 45cc and it meets your basic cruising needs, you'll find a way to make it work for you.
Have fun planning the cruise!
--Jon
I have heard of people who dropped their mast and used their sailboats like a trawler, something to consider. You also will need to get all the info and figure out if your draft will allow you to use the Canadian Heritage canals before you attempt it. Suggest you get in touch with America's Great Loop Association. Here is a link: http://www.greatloop.org/
Good luck
Good luck
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