Sailing My 22 Footer Across Atlantic

[VERN]

YANKEE GIRL

How many folks recall Gerry Speiss from White Bear Lake, MN who sailed across the Atlantic (Pacific?) in Yankee Girl, which he built himself and was only 10' long? The boat was on display at the Minnesota Historical Society several years ago. It's an unbelievable feat. He has since had other adventures and I believe he is or was planning another trip of that magnitude once again.Good luck, Gerry!

 

[keystroker]

An Oday 22 was my first boat and...

whether this is serious or not i am not sure...if serious, then please know that the Oday does not have many things including the stability and structural strength to go on a trip across the Atlantic safelyit is a wild ride in 7-10 foot seas and you could encounter much much morebut if serious i admire your sense of adventure...just try it with a more suitable boatif a joke...then i am not mad but relieved...because the proposal is dangerous in my opinionthe capsize screen for the Oday22 is 2.2, and it should be under 2.0 for offshore workit is a formula that calculates a boat's initial resistance to capsizethe lower the capsize screen the better - just a formula for safety you should know aboutunder 2 is much better than over 2best wishes friend

 

[Robert Gainer]

Trans-Atlantic

I offer this opinion having sailed across the Atlantic in a small boat. My first trip was in a 22 foot SeaSprite designed by Carl Alberg. The O’Day was designed for day sailing and is not strong enough if you should get caught in less then perfect weather. Their are many things that you can point to that make the boat an unsuitable choice. The cockpit for instance is too large and cannot drain fast enough if you roll the boat over. Both the hull and rig are not up to the task. Its not worth spending time, or even thinking about that boat unless you are going to take her apart and totally rebuild her into something that she was not designed to be.More important then that, it takes some planning and preparation to do trips like that. Even in a suitable boat there are things to change and beef up. The selection of equipment and navigation gear requires that choices be made and you need to know how to use the stuff before you can even start to make these choices. It doesn’t help to get the opinions of someone who is not going to go with you if the survival tactics that you will use are counter to the ones that your adviser was thinking about when he made the recommendation in the first place. You need to get enough experience so that you know the fundamentals and the only questions that you are asking are a little more detailed. When you get to the point that you can discuss the difference between front surface mirrors and traditional mirrors in a sextant (or even if you want a sextant instead of GPS). When you get to the point that you are discussing the choice of running in a gale or just lay-a-hull then you are close to the point where you can start to plan a trip like that.It's common for 18 to 20 foot boats to sail across and the only limitation is choosing the right boat and being sufficiently skilled to do it.All the best,Robert Gainer

 

[OdayDave]

Good One!

Thanks for getting us going AR! While this post has gotten some great responses, it can't be taken seriously. I sail an O'Day 222 and will occasionally spend a week on Lake Michigan, in the shelter of Green Bay. It's a fun coastal cruiser, but still a toy boat when you consider big water. Personally, I don't think I would even consider going across Lake Michigan with the 222. And unless I was really depressed, I certainly wouldn't consider an even bigger pond.By the way, even though an ocean adventure is out of the question with this boat, there are some excellent options in upstate NY that should be seriously considered. Think about Lake George, Lake Champlain, the Finger Lakes and gunkholing in the Thousand Islands. Coastal sailing on Lake Ontario should also be fun. You'll of course need to wait for the water to soften a bit. Daves/v Hakuna Matatta

 

[Warren M]

Across the pond....

As a former owner of an Alberg Sea Sprite, I'd have to say that the fellow below who claims to have crossed the pond in one of these wonderful little boats, and the guy who plans to do so in an O'Day 22, both need to have their UV headbands replaced....they been out in the sun too long.The only word they need to remember is: Mayday.

 

[Bil Thomas]

It can be done

I am sitting in Bahia Redonda Marina in Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela looking at 2 boats, one a 25 foot with a crew of 2 and a 27 cape dory singlehandler. The 25 is from Australia via England and the cape dory is from the US. I belive it may be a little off the wall but both sets of sailors are very experinced, understand their boats. Not to sound like I am critizing but if you have to ask if it is safe you probably require more experince and knowledge about your boat before asking if it can be done.

 

[NautiDuck]

I'll pay for the insurance

If you will make me the beneficiary I will pay for a life insurance policy for you.

 

[Bad Obsession]

Trans Atlantic

The only way I would consider sailing my 22 foot sailboat trans-atlantic would be if it was on the deck of a cargo ship! I know of a Catalina 25 that has been sailed from the East Coast to Hawaii and back. The owner had really beefed up the rigging, added a ton of equipment. In all Honesty, I have seen 36 foot boats that have less equipment than this boat. I still wouldn't not want to be in the Atlantic on a 25 foot boat.Best advise is wait a few years and get a boat that is suited for this undertaking!

 

[Robert Gainer]

Learn something new?

A lot depends on what you consider suited for the trip based on your own experience. I have been across in boats as varied as a 22 foot SeaSprite (my first solo trans-Atlantic), a 27 foot Albin Vega, a 31 foot Chance 30-30 and a 110 foot West Country Ketch out of England. I don’t think it’s a question of if the trip is possible or practical; it’s a question of if the boat is suitable, prepared and the crew is up to it. I think it’s a shame that so many people consider the trip unreasonable just because they don’t know how to do it. At one time people thought nothing of racing MORC (Midget Offshore Racing Club) boats trans-Atlantic and they are only 18 to 20 feet or so. I know people that cruise in small boats including a Catalina 25. The Catalina would not be my choice, but if its what you are prepared to use and she is ready, why not. If all you can add is a negative thought that has no basis in fact or informed opinion why not just sit back and learn something from other sailors. Even if you never want to make the trip wouldn’t be nice to expand you knowledge and learn something new.All the best,Robert Gainer

 

[p323ms]

I think the original question was a joke

There is nothing wrong with jokes especially if they get a good dialog going. The first thing ,the most obvious is that someone who feels the need to ask a internet message board is not ready to go.  As to the reality a lot depends upon how much you value your life. If living is not that important you can attempt some pretty amazing things. I would attempt crossing the Gulf of Mexico alone or with someone I didn't love in my Pearson 323. But I wouldn't take my wife or children. As we gain experience with the P323 this may change. Sometimes life on the edge makes things better!!! Riding my motorcycle alone I definately get closer to the edge than when my wife is along.  Most of us (I assume) don't want to take a voyage unless we are almost 100% sure of coming back alive. As to taking my grandchildren sailing the only aceptable risk would be 99.9999999999% sure that they would come back alive and unharmed. By myself 90% is good enough. I've been known to kayak with alligators who present an unknowable risk. So far no problems but there is a definate risk sitting in a kayak with large gators nearby. In this case the excitement of seeing large wild gators makes the risk seem aceptable. I would never consider taking my grandkids kayaking with gators. When they are adults and can accept the risks ... maybe..Tom

 

[Justin]

Another Idea

Im am thinking about buying a 33 foot Tartan Ten/SL in Florida and sailing her back to where I am currently living, a small West African Country just south of Dakar. I would need to be sailing her over around Nov. or Dec via the Canary Islands. I have limited sailing experience. I've done a little sailing in the coastal waters off Scotland and a little freshwater sailing. however If I do this I will be living aboard my Tartan for the next 8 months learning her and sailing her around St. Petersburg. Is this do-able?

 

[p323ms]

Coastal Sailing is harder

IMHO coastal is much harder technically than blue water. All of the "interesting" stuff happens close to shore. Ship traffic ,buoys, reefs all occur as you approach shore. The biggest thing about blue water is there is less chance of rescue if you screw up. Also no place to hide from the weather. But with GPS navigation and a basic understanding of navigation and sailing it should be doable with the right boat and timing to avoid bad weather.Tom

 

[Droop]

Please do this before you leave!

Buy Life Insurance! As much as you can afford and name me a the benefactor.

 

[Richard]

Food Chain

At the water's edge everthing changes. You enter a different world and become part of the food chain - and not neccesarily at the top either.I think Kipling said that.I suggest a bigger boat, four or five more years of experience and a lot of luck.

 

[Richard]

Better yet ... Read This

I realize that it's from the "left" coast, but the principles are the same.http://www.equipped.com/0698rescue.htm

 

[Don K.]

How small is small

Check out this interesting website.www.famoussmallboats.com

 

[Richard]

"a speck on the sea"

This is the title of a really good book about people who crossed big water in small boats.

 

[John Schofield]

Northern route?

The only way I would try it would be on a larger boat and go the northern route, in good wheather and with company. I've thought of trying this myself in my Bristol '30. The route would be up the eastern seabord and around New Foundland to Labrador. From there one could make a run for Iceland. When conditions were right, You would go from Iceland to Greenland. From there, it's stright on to England. First you would have to be on top of the weather. Research would be necessary to determine the best time of year to attempt it. I would recommend obtaining the services of a private weather consultant who you could be in constant contact with (sat-phone or SSB radio) to give you go or no go recommendations for the open sea areas. Obtain a copy of "sailing directions for Labador and Hudson Bay" and any other simular publications for Iceland, Greenland and so on. Team up with at least one other vessel of simular waterline length (that goes the same speed) and travel as a team. Read "Heavy Weather Sailing". In cold water, survival suites are a must. My policy is to always have the pants portion on, and the upper part tied around my waist, when ever my feet go above the cockpit floor. I must also have my life jacket on, with my EPIRB attached to it. My harnesses and rat lines attached too. Even in good weather. If alone, you have to be able to control the boat if you fall in. Crusing speed is just fast enough to pull you under. I trail lines attached to the engine's coil wire (if motoring) or the helm (if sailing), including one 200 footer, with a float attached. These are just a few thoughts off the top of my head and would welcome further comments.Take care,John Schofield

 

[Nathan]

No problem

Yeah- just go east- you are bound to hit land eventually. As for food- don't bother- takes up too much space. You'll be able to catch what you need. Same for water- don't sweat it- it'll rain. Just rig your sails to catch it when it comes. Let us know when you get there. Have a good passage!

 

[Henry Flack]

To John Schofield

Wow, John. This is the exact trip my wife and I have been discussing lately! We plan to continue on from England to France, Portugal, and through the Straight of Gibraltar into the Med. Of course, from here it will probably be several years in the making. Henry Flack"Patience Too"